I remember as a child hearing people who would thank God for
almost anything good that happened. If they remembered where they had misplaced
their car keys, they would thank God. If the sun shone brightly for a planned
picnic, they would thank God. If they regained their balance after stumbling
over a crack in the sidewalk, they would thank God.
Such thankfulness seemed exaggerated to me. And yet there
was something compelling about such a worldview: that the Creator of the
universe would have such interest in personal detail. I chalked it up to being
akin to God’s concern for the fallen sparrows.
But it is also tempting to disregard such understanding as an
overly simplistic faith. Surely people should not expect God to be their
personal caretaker or body guard. Do people really think that God would push
back clouds and hold back rainfall because one family or congregation had
prayed for good picnic weather?
But I have come to a new appreciation of what may seem to be
inflated appreciation. If we acknowledge God as the author of life, then all
that is life is reason to praise God. When the sun shines through a clear sky,
it is appropriate to thank God as Creator. When my stumble is recovered because
of my sense of balance, it is appropriate to thank God as the One who crafted
the complexity of the human body.
If praise is expressed as gratitude for only that which
impacts me individually, my faith remains rudimentary. It can remain selfish in
nature. But if praise is expressed as appreciation for the overarching
governance of creation then it is elevated above the limitations of personal
impact.
It is in this faith that I want to grow. When I see the
beauty of a sunset, I want to yell out; “Well done, God!!” Not as a statement
of appreciation as though God formed this beauty only for my benefit, but that
God would form a creation that manifests such natural beauty for all to enjoy.
When my memory recalls where I have misplaced something, I
want to be able to say; “Thank you God.” Not as a suggestion that God
interceded on my personal behalf, but that God has ordained the mind to have
the ability to recall. What a benefit to all humanity!
Such a faith will have no difficulty finding things for
which to express praise. Such a faith will remain active in gratitude and exude
infectious appreciation. I would like to be able to keep things simple.
God is good and the author of all things good. It is natural
to express worshipful gratitude. If that is a simple faith; I’ll be happy to
own it.
