January 15

“Once we take stock of our lives and let gratitude begin its transformative work, the next step on the path unfolds naturally.  When we appreciate how much we have, we feel the urge to pare down, get back to basics, and learn what is essential for our happiness.”  Sarah Ban Breathnach, SA, 1/15

Sarah’s quest to find happiness through gratitude can be applied to our Christian walk.  It is the difference between religion and relationship.  In a religion we will focus on what we are spared  and be grateful we’re not in the other fellow’s shoes; grateful that we won’t go to Hell; grateful we are protected from loss if we follow the rules, etc.  In other words, if we follow the prescribed formula of that religion, then all will go well.  I don’t see how peace can be arrived from that at all.  All my energy would go into putting things into my life that would ensure my success in getting the promised reward of that religion. Christianity, however, is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Here the focus is not just on what I get but also from what I can give.  Once I acknowledge my need to be saved from my self-sufficiency and then allow God to enter into a relationship with me and I with Him the gratitude that springs from this giving and receiving will naturally direct me along God’s path of not only living simply but simply living.  When I picture Simply Living I no longer feel a need to prove anything.  All the striving is gone.  Instead I am freed to enjoy all that is wonderful and beautiful about life.  And because I have a relationship with the God of the Universe and have His strength and power to draw from I can relax during the difficult and not so pretty times.  This is Simple Abundance.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”  Philippians 4:4