Practicing A Great Attitude While Prepping This Morning For Corporate Worship
Paul Brubaker
Winston Churchill used to tell the story about a sailor living in Britain’s westernmost principal city of Plymouth. One day the sailor plunged into Plymouth Harbor and successfully rescued a small boy from drowning. Several days later the gallant hero met the boy walking with his mother on the streets of Plymouth. Upon seeing the man who saved his life, the youngster nudged his mother. She thought the sailor vaguely familiar, and thus asked, “Are you the man who pulled my son out of the water the other day?” The sailor’s face lit up. He grinned, saluted and answered briskly. “Yes, ma’am.” Already in the back of his mind he was figuring how to best respond to her gratitude. But she saved him the trouble. With eyes narrowed and pursed lips, she snapped, “Then where’s his CAP?”
The Bible has a lot to say about gratitude…. as well as the lack of it! Regarding unregenerate humans, Paul wrote to the young Christians at Rome: “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21) Well said Paul. We can relate. But we’re learning, for as long as we remain faithful to God, we retain a sensitivity to His presence.
Jesus’ healing of the ten lepers gives us an example of how highly God values gratitude. On the way to Jerusalem one day, as Jesus was traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee, ten leprous men – nine Jew and one Samaritan – called from afar, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” (Luke 17:13NIV). And Jesus did have pity on them, and thus instructed the lepers to go show themselves to the priests. And miraculously as they went, all ten were healed! But only one of the lepers, a despisde Samaritan, returned to the Great Healer to pour out his heart in thankfulness and gratitude. It was then that Jesus asked three questions: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18, NIV). Jesus’ heart was indeed saddened by the ingratitude of the other nine – the vast majority of the lepers that day!
BOTTOM LINE:
So, what’s the lesson for us today? While the world’s masses, and possibly at times, even some of us in the church, may defiantly snub God and disregard His continual blessings day after day, hopefully you and I will never be found guilty of the sin of ingratitude. May our praises ever ascend to the One from whom all blessings flow, starting this morning now, or perhaps corporately, in a few hours! Originally published in BRF Witness. Republished in July 2025 by The Sword and Trumpet, founder 1929.
Next Up:
My Generation and Younger, Birthed & Reared In Anabaptist Communities Generally Have No Idea the Role Daniel Kauffman Played Historically… Mon Part A, Tues Part B. Then Wed thru Sat, featuring Wendell Martin’s Miracle at Age Ten when plagued with 52 warts.