My wife and I have been teaching our toddler manners. When you first start this process, it becomes transactional; the kids understand that if they say "please", they will get the treat they want. They aren't really being "nice" or truly acting polite; they are just doing what they need to do so they can get a toy or piece of candy. However, after a while we have started seeing signs that it's "sticking". Phoebe, our 3-year old, is starting to say "thank you!" with enthusiasm because she's connected the phrase to her sharing excitement over what she has gained. She appears, by all accounts, legitimately grateful and wants mommy and daddy to share in her excitement at receiving something she wants. The difference between how her manners started out and where they are today is that initially it was about acting polite when it was convenient, but it quickly turned into her wanting to share her joy and excitement with mommy and daddy.
I think there is something we can all learn in this. Life is filled with so many instances where we have the obvious opportunity to lean on God. Have a disease? Lean on God. Looking for a promotion at work? Lean on God. Have a difficult family situation to cope with? Lean on God. These are good times to lean on God, but they are all somewhat transactional; there is something we hope to gain from the situation. How much more does it show our love and affection towards Christ when there isn't something transactional to gain and yet we STILL lean on God?
Paul writes this to the church in Corinth...
We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ... (1 Cor 4:10-12)
Paul paints a picture of someone who praises and prays to God under all circumstances, regardless of what it means for him. Surely when dealing with someone we feel has hurt us, it's easy to sit back and pout. Surely when we are facing great trials, it's comforting to simply sit back and await whatever sympathy our church family can offer (and they should... but that's another devotion for another time). However, the person who musters the faith in Christ to worship God through those situations is demonstrating something truly amazing. Rather than making their devotional conditional on the transaction of their lives, they are praying and praising simply because God is great where we are not. As soon as we can divorce the conditions of our life with our enthusiasm as God's calling, it is truly remarkable what God can do with us.
So the challenge for us is simple: are we saying "please" and "thank you" only when it benefits us, or are we praising God before, during, and after the storm without condition? God wants to use you for great things. Lean on Him for more than just the transaction, and see if God doesn't do amazing things.
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