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)
-Damsel in Distress: “Oh, Thank You, Kind Sir”. -Our Hero: “Aw, Shucks, Ma’am, Twern’t Nothin’!”
Across this great country and around the world, Carol and I have been privileged to meet many, many fellow believers. What a celebration we are going to have in heaven with all the saints – met and not yet met!
While here, together in this world and at this time, let’s see if we can continue to change the way the world perceives us Christians…not by pretending but by authentically living out the fruit of the Spirit unified in God’s love…despite the past.
Let’s change the future, by God’s grace, by healing from it and living today in Christ’s freedom. We have been set free to love. (Matthew 22:37-39) Perhaps one of the simplest ways to start the shift in attitude is to change ours. Just imagine a church filled with people who are grateful not grumpy; thankful not ticked off.
Years ago – at a time when I was “not doing very well” emotionally and spiritually, Abba spoke some tough “love and truth” into me. Rather than my trying to change Carol, Holy Spirit helped me see that I was the one needing to change. My job was not to change her. It was and is to love her and remove some of her aloneness.
No one likes to be controlled.
One of the ways He continues to change me is to help me a ppreciate her. After helping me appreciate her more and communicate it more clearly, He moved me to pay more attention to my children and make sure they knew that Dad (that would be me) was grateful for their efforts, as well as, their accomplishments. It was very complicated (just kidding). I began to be more aware of times when appreciation was appropriate, then saying….wait for it…….., “Thank You” or “I saw how hard you worked and I appreciate it!” Then this Appreciation movement continued into my working with volunteers and staff at church. Everybody needs Appreciation but some people “REALLY NEED APPRECIATION”. It is one of their top needs.
Whatever your role in the local church or your denomination/movement may be, would you work with us this week to notice and communicate appreciation to those around you?
What if the world saw us in the church being kind and appreciative of each other? Think that would illustrate clearly the love of Jesus to a lost, lonely world? Think they might want some of that in their own lives? I do. The practice of appreciation and clearly demonstrated gratitude – whether or not the hand of expectation is outstretched – powerfully communicates the loving-kindness of Jesus to a world that doesn’t know if it is loved by God or not. We get to show them His love. We must do this for His glory and the sake of the lost and lonely.
More is at stake than we may know…as usual!
WALKING IN THE LIGHT IS THE KEY! Lord Jesus made it clear: “…Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you.” (John 12:35) John spoke, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:7)
THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT – Help Us Experience Appreciation in the Church
Light Source #1: Jesus in the Light of the World (John 8:32) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Appreciation)
How would you feel if Jesus turned to you , looked you right in the eye, and gave you one of the biggest responsibilities ever? (afraid, amazed, humbled, excited, honored, appreciated?) That is what He did to His disciples. He turned to them and said, “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations …” Some call this the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19-20) Every person in the family of faith (Christ-followers) has this clear commission from Jesus.
After we get over the fear or anxiety of such a commission and let it soak into our heart, we might come to feel very appreciated and special to Jesus’ heart. He entrusted to those ea rly followers the responsibility of spreading the Good News of His powerful love illustrated by His death on the cross for our sins and His resu rrection from the grave. He gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sin, so that we could believe Him and receive forgiveness and eternal life.
One more “Great” is the “Great Commandment” (Matthew 22:37-39). This command is the motive for doing the Great Commission. Jesus forgives our sin, enters our life by giving us His life in the person of the Holy Spirit. This new life is a person who takes up residence in places of your life that were dead because of sin. Holy Spirit now produces His fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. He also gives us gifts and ability to live this new life. Along the way, he brings support from other followers of Jesus to help us grow in our ability to yield our thoughts, feelings, and actions to Jesus. Living this new life is not only eternal life but also abundant life.
So, here is my question: Do you know (deeply understand and experience) Christ’s appreciation for you personally, as you love God and love people each day?
Stop a moment and ask God to show you the truth about how much He appreciates and values you illustrated by His giving us the Great Commission , the Great Commandment, and entrusting the Gospel message to us. You can call it feelings of approval, appreciation, respect, encouragement or something else. Whatever you call it, He is proclaiming our value to Him and His appreciation for our lives by allowing us the honor of fulfilling that commission in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit… .” I am with you always”, Jesus said, “even to the end of the age.”
Light Source #2: God’s Word is a “Lamp and Light” (Psalm 119:105) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Appreciation)
Let’s Walk in the Light of “Doing the Book”
Let’s Do the Book: Philippians 1:3 (AMPC version) I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.
Our desire is that each of us learns well how to show Appreciation to the life partner / spouse AND to the children (child of focus) God has given to us. By intentionally taking Christ’s love in the form of genuine Appreciation into the church family, we are fulfilling His Great Commandments (Matt. 22:37-39). All the law and the prophets are wrapped up in this commandment, that we love one another. (See Galatians 5:14) When we Appreciate others in the church family, that may be the only real Appreciation that person is getting in any of their relationships.
Homework with your Family and/or your Church family – Prayer: Do Philippians 1:3 and thank God for those around you.
1. Pray for those in your small group, class, community or life group….praising God for each of them or a few of them by name, out loud, saying for what you are thankful about each of them…be brief, be truthful, and maybe just keep it between you and a few of the folks you know. You may be surprised to find how few people have had another person care for them in this way by praying God’s blessings and/or thanking God for the blessing they are – especially when you can be specific:
“Lord God, thank you for ___(name)______ and the way he/she has been a blessing /help to me over the years, helping me when my family was sick, taking over some of the work while we were away, encouraging me when I was down, etc.” (these are ideas to prime your thinking)
2. See how this could work with other followers of Jesus at church or at home or in your extended family? I wonder if your parent(s) ever had anyone pray a blessing over them in gratitude for the sacrifices they made over the years. Soon, when you are with your parent(s) during a meal, why not pray and thank God for them? Specifically thank Him for a way they were a help to you. No fanfare needed – no response required. Pray and move on.
Light Source #3: Followers of Jesus are called the “Light of the World” (Matt 5:14) Walking in the Light: Experiencing God’s Love and Giving It Away (Appreciation)
Homework with Your Church Family/Other Believers:
1. Would you be willing to take a couple out for dinner (and a movie, if you like) and while you are together, express gratitude for each of them? This does not have to be long or embarrassingly personal. (Maybe it would be better to have them to your house.)
2. If you know the couple (person) well enough, you could ask how appreciation/praise was shown in their homes growing up. For what were they praised? You might celebrate the praises they received by saying, “That must have felt really good to hear appreciation / praise from your mom/dad/grandparent.” You might also “mourn with them” if they received none, by saying, “Sounds as if you could have used some more praise or appreciation for your effort.” ” I am sure that would have meant a lot.”
3. Since you have already noted in #1 something for which you have appreciated/praised them, you might re-state it (especially if they missed praise in their early years) to let them know that they are worth praising. Remember the definition: Praise for effort is important. Some feel they have not accomplished much, but if they know their effort was noted, that could really help them feel some of the love and appreciation God has for them too.
4. Move on from there to lighter subjects or let them tell more of their story. Ask God to guide the conversation so that when the time is finished, each person knows that he/she is loved and appreciated- even if our efforts have not yielded all the results we’d hoped.
How important would it be to help other followers of Jesus know they are appreciated? Maybe they could actually feel like a gift from God to others….for the first time?!
When you thank or praise others, they may respond as the Hero to the Damsel (above) but to most of us, expressed appreciation goes a long way to helping us feel loved and valued. People feel a little less alone when someone (you and I) takes the time to appreciate them.