Becoming Increasingly Grateful
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for indeed our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 NRSV
Series: Everyday Apprentice
Devotional: 11 of 13
For the last six years, I have had one foot in the business world and one foot in the ministry world. With each passing year, the call to follow Jesus into the unknown of full-time ministry became louder and louder. Finally, after months of prayer, fasting, and seeking wise counsel, on March 16, 2026, I decided to (like the apostle Peter) step out of the boat and follow Jesus into the mystery wherever He would lead (see Matthew 14:22-33 NRSV).
To make this transition, God provided a much-needed bridge to connect my two worlds. A three-month sabbatical served as this bridge from my old life in business to my new life in full-time ministry. It was a unique space and time to just be with Jesus, completely disconnected from having to accomplish anything; a time to heal from fatigue and burnout; and a time for the Lord to fill my cup in preparation for the season of ministry that lay before me.
As the days turned into weeks, my heart became increasingly grateful for this unique gift of sabbatical. Here, the Lord continuously reminded me who I am (a child of God in whom Christ dwells) and where I am (living in the unshakable kingdom of God). (See Hebrews 12:28-29 NRSV)
Under the safety of His presence, sabbatical became a time for the Holy Spirit to identify and uproot three weeds that were growing in the garden of my soul: comparison, worry, and entitlement. Weeds that were threatening to choke out the gratitude in my heart before it had time to bear fruit.
Comparison is like a thief in the night. It draws our attention away from the unique gifts God has graciously given each of His apprentices (See Romans 12:6 NRSV) and fixes it on what everyone else around us is doing.
If comparison makes us fix our eyes on others, then worry tempts us to focus on the unending "what if" scenarios of tomorrow. But Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today" (Matthew 6:34 NRSV).
And finally, nothing chokes out a beautiful garden of gratitude like a spirit of entitlement. When entitlement runs rampant in our hearts, we believe the lie that "we deserve this or that."
Today, take a few minutes to go away with Jesus into the quiet. Let Him remind you of who you are and where you are living. And finally, allow Him to identify and uproot any weeds of comparison, worry, and entitlement growing in your heart.
OnThe3rdDay Devotionals
Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.
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