Being a 1 out of 10 Person

I am great at reaching up high and finding people in big crowds. I was the top points scorer in my league for basketball and I like to think I am a good cook, but If I were to score myself at arts and craft I would give myself a 1 out of 10. I can remember sitting in art class at school and the teacher would draw this extravagant horse on the chalkboard. My attempt to reproduce this masterpiece ended up looking more like scribbles on a page. If I think back to my year 7 class, I was the only one that never officially received a pen license because my handwriting was so horrible. So now the secret’s out, I have been writing in pen illegitimately for 22 years. 

There’s a story in the Bible about a 1 out of 10 person found in Luke 17:11-19. All 10 men in this story had leprosy. This disease meant they were social outcasts, not allowed to touch, get close to anyone or even go to public places of worship. Leprosy had robbed them not only of their physical appearance but of their relationships, sense of purpose and value. They called out to Jesus, obeyed what He commanded and all 10 were healed. Unfortunately, just 1 out of 10 came back to Jesus to say thank you. They were desperate to be with Jesus when they had a prayer request, but only 1 came back to Jesus with gratitude when they had a praise report - what a challenge! 

I wonder if we spent the same time thanking God when our needs are met as we do asking God to meet our needs. Or even beyond that, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. It does not say FOR all circumstances, it says IN all circumstances. 

Imagine this - I’m at the shops and someone damages my car. When it happens I don’t say, “Praise God, this is great!” But even in that circumstance I can find something to be grateful for. We can always give thanks because of the love of Jesus displayed through the cross and His goodness towards us. Regardless of what life throws at us, our thankfulness is not based on our circumstances but on God’s character. Because of His goodness we can always find something to be thankful for in every circumstance and be the 1 out of 10 person that comes back to Jesus with gratitude. 

Here are 5 quick reasons why we should give thanks:

1. Because God is worthy of our praise  (Revelation 4:11)    
2. It’s the doorway to intimacy with God (Psalm 100:4)    
3. Grateful people are happier and easier to get along with    
4. Helps us to focus on the greatness of our God instead of our challenges    
5. No thanksgiving in the Lord = No Joy = No Strength = No Influence. That’s a pretty big deal! (Nehemiah 8:10)

So take a minute to write down what you are grateful for today. 

Pray With Me:

God, I thank you for all You have done for us. I thank You for Your grace that forgives me of all I have done and Your wonderful presence that never leaves me. I pray You would help us to be like that 1 out of 10 person in the story that would return to You in our everyday life and say thanks. 

Written by Ben Cherry, Location Pastor, Citipointe Church Auckland