Do you ever feel inadequate? Do you doubt your worth or value? When life beats us up it can leave us feeling like we deserve to be miserable, struggling to believe we have any worth, and certainly not feeling joyous or thankful, much less both.
“Joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light” (Colossians 1:12).
- Light—”For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” What a loving Father. He did it! Not me. Not you. Not effort. Not religion. Not ritual. Not training. Grace. Pure and simple. Grace. Mercy. Kindness. Love. We didn’t claw our way out. If you’re still in darkness, you don’t have to claw your way out. He rescued us and transferred us.
- Inheritance—Is His kingdom heaven? As in heaven after I die? No. It’s here and now. “Heaven on earth.” It is abiding in His presence and love and embrace here. Now. What a glorious inheritance.
- Share…saints—”But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). It is who we are as Christians. And you, as a follower of Christ, have a share in this. Regardless of how you feel. Regardless of what’s been done to you. Regardless of what’s been done by you. Grace, mercy, forgiveness. The overwhelming, relentless tenderness of the heavenly Father is yours to receive and embrace. [I know the sins and shortcomings of earthly father can make it hard to believe any father is or can be a good thing. But please, open yourself to the Him. The heavenly Father is a good Father. Overflowing with love and offering life abundantly.]
- Qualified—He has qualified you. He did. It’s done. It has been done for you. Receive it. Walk in it. Learn it. Learn what it means. Learning it and experiencing it starts with accepting it. You are not inadequate. You are not undeserving. You are qualified on the authority of the one who has the final say, the highest authority in the cosmos.
Now, does that deserve “an attitude of gratitude?” Mmmm. Nah. That deserves a heart overflowing with gratitude—joyously giving thanks to the Father.