Appreciation Expressing thanks, praise or commendation, particularly in recognition of someone’s accomplishments or efforts. Gratefully acknowledging what someone “does.” (Colossians 3:15 b; 1 Corinthians 11:2)
Too often we forget to tell people that we appreciate them and fail to praise others for their hard work or diligent effort. But are we also forgetting the One from Whom every good and perfect gift comes?
One facet of loving God and understanding His love is the practice of Appreciation. Consider how much He appreciates us and how much He deserves to be appreciated. We’ve focused on Appreciation all month – how He Appreciates us and how we can show Appreciation to others. This week’s installment will be an attempt to lead us into a deeper experience with Appreciation for God.
If you are currently a parent or if you were to become a parent one day, how would you enjoy being loved well by your children? Isn’t that a great question? I have a few suggestions that are foundational to actually loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength…as commanded in Matthew 22:37. After all, for only reasons He fully knows, God refers to Himself and gives us the privilege of calling Him “Father”.
Suggestion: To love God, as He deserves, perhaps the best place to start is to have a clear picture of His character. Is He distant? Is He simply a judge with a list of laws? Is He disappointed with us because we can’t keep all His laws? Is He really mad because we have failed Him?
I submit that God’s character is not described satisfactorily by those qualities or roles listed above. His true nature is revealed by the names He calls Himself in scripture and by His Son, Jesus Christ.
Is He at times distant from us? Of course, but which one of us moved? Is He a judge in that He gives laws and punishment for breaking them? Of course He is, but please know that Jesus Christ suffered the full penalty for our sin on the cross of Calvary 2000 years ago. Punishment awaits those who won’t believe and receive His Son Jesus Christ. Is He disappointed with us because we can’t keep up? I don’t think so. He knows “we are but dust” but has loved us and loves us still…”while we were yet sinners”. Is He really mad because I have failed Him? I think not. I believe His heart is broken by our sin, as would be the heart of any loving father.
I know I won’t explain Him fully or perhaps not even very well, but this is what I know. He Loves! Oh, my, how He loves. God is love. We love because He loved us first. The greatest thing of all that remains – faith and hope and love – is love. His love is the glue of the family of God. His love unifies marriages, families, friendships, and the body of Christ – the Church.
Above all things, Jesus was described as being “moved with compassion”. For much of my adult life as a follower of Jesus I did not know that He felt things. I was wrong. I reasoned that if He, Jesus, were truly God, He could not be “limited by emotion”. What I did not know was that emotions don’t limit unless we allow ourselves to be controlled by feelings without the counterweight of truth. Jesus feels. He is the Truth. He wept and weeps still. He is the same yesterday and today and forever. God grieved when His judgment fell on Israel. He mourned and longed for Israel to return to Him.
So when a father wants to be loved, perhaps the best place to start is to make sure we love the right one, and we know how much He loves us first.
Walk in the Light of Jesus: Though there are many other aspects of loving God, our Father, Would you please consider showing Him the Appreciation He deserves?
- Would you take time to identify ways God has blessed and provided for you financially?
- Would you take the time to identify ways God has blessed and provided for you emotionally/relationally?
- Would you take the time to identify ways God has blessed and provided for you spiritually / eternally?
- Would you take the time to identify ways God has blessed and provided for you physically-shelter, clothing, food, etc?
Do you recall that “every good and perfect gift” is from Him? Do you know that “He gives us life and breath and everything else we need”? Do you know that – whether directly or indirectly through others – it is God, our Father, who has given us love and the potential for receiving and giving love?
Walk in the Light of Jesus: We owe Him everything. Tell Him. Worship Him. Praise Him. Obey Him. Trust Him. Love Him with all your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength. Simply look back over the lists above and allow gratitude for Him to fill you and overflow in praise.
Walk in the Light of His Word: If in your heart and mind there are those things that occupy your thoughts and feelings that do not lead to loving Him and others, take the time to identify them and let them go. Ask Him to take them away.
- If others have damaged your heart, your reputation, your goals and dreams, give them fully to God and forgive them. Do Matthew 5:4 and Ephesians 4:31-32
- If you have damaged others and can’t seem to escape the past, ask Him in faith for the forgiveness He offers through the death of Jesus Christ and leave the guilt and shame where it belongs…fully at the cross of Jesus. 1 John 1:9
- If you need to go to a person you have offended, then go and accept responsibility and offer to make restitution where possible. James 5:16
- If you are anxious and stressed, full of fear and anxiety, ask Abba for His love to be so clear to you that your fears are displaced by His love. I John 4:18
- If you believe yourself to be unworthy of His love and mercy, ask God to tell you the truth and then listen well. You are loved and known and wanted in His family now and forever. Colossians 2: 13-14
Even while trying to show appreciation for Him, we end in a place of dependence and need. Apparently, from that position we experience real gratitude and find tremendous blessing. Jesus said it this way, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
We have need of everything. He has need of nothing. He offers us love, not because He needs anything from us. I guess the best way I can describe it is that in His Sovereignty, His unconditional love finds expression in loving us simply because that is what He chooses to do. I don’t have to understand Him fully or His love, but I am so grateful that He is and He loves.
For all this and so many things that are specific and personal to you, praise Him. Appreciate Him. Let Abba know His love and provision have not been in vain where you are concerned. You and I can and by all means must live a life that simply expresses our gratitude for God, to God and any one else who will listen.
Walk in the Light of Fellowship with Believers: 1. Would you discuss with your spouse, your children – where appropriate, others in your family, friends inside the church family and outside it just how much you appreciate God’s love and gift of life? 2. If you have a little time to share with others, please consider sharing your experiences of praise and gratitude to God with your spouse or your children. I am confident it would mean much to them to know of your humble recognition of your desperate need for Jesus.
For Biological Dad and Mom( Step Parents too): Oh, yeah, if your own father or mother are still alive perhaps you could show appreciation to them by telling them in person what they mean to you, how they have met needs in your life, and how grateful you are for their giving you life and sustaining you for many years.
Every time I have a chance to speak or write about this topic, I know I will come up short. Ephesians 3 makes it clear that the “love of Christ” actually “passes knowledge” or is beyond finding out. What I know of His love is amazing! Apparently I couldn’t reveal it perfectly no matter how hard I tried or how “spiritual” I was. I am sure the above effort is still woefully inadequate. I accept that.