Are there people who hold a cherished place in your life? Servants of the Lord who have made a life-changing impact upon you? Don’t they deserve special thanks?
Coming to faith in Jesus Christ doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Usually, it is a result of the prayers, concern, and involvement of many caring people. For most of us, the list of these persons is long. Clearly, they are the ones who deserve our special thanks.
Expressing Gratitude
Dick’s comments: Twice a year, a group of seven longtime friends of mine meet for a day of fellowship. All of us worked together as student leaders in Pittsburgh Young Life in our college years. Rather than drifting apart, we mutually agreed not to squander our many years of friendship. So, for the last 15 years or so, we have been meeting twice a year. The format is simple: a quick update (including current challenges), a time of counsel and advice, and then intensive prayer together for the one who has just shared.
In recent years, we have added another feature: inviting our mutual friend and mentor, Reid Carpenter, to join our meeting by Zoom. For each of us in the group, Reid holds a very special place. He was either the one who led us to the Lord, or the one who was our boss and mentor during our early years of stepping into ministry.
At our most recent gathering, each of us had the individual opportunity to thank Reid for his pivotal role in our lives. I shared my own treasured memory of Reid, when he drove me to the weekend camp in 1965 where I responded to his presentation of the gospel by turning my life over to Jesus Christ. The words of gratitude during that session were moving for all of us—especially Reid, the one who deserves our special thanks.
A Caring Mentor
Philip’s comments: As I listen to what Dick is sharing, many people come to my mind as well. But the one who stands out most is Dr. Fount Lee Shults. Fount was a beloved professor of mine when I attended Elim Bible Institute in New York.
Early in my academic career, Fount could see that I was struggling with my studies. In a loving, fatherly way, he took me aside and asked me for some honest answers to his concerned questions. At the same time, he shared some of the academic struggles he himself had experienced. It didn’t stop there. He kept mentoring me and helping me.
Even to this day, I receive a daily devotional from Fount, and I always take the time to respond with my deepest thanks to him. Without his impact upon my life—imparting a love for the Word of God and helping me to overcome some of the academic hurdles so I could graduate from Elim—I can’t imagine how things might have turned out for me.
One thing I know for sure: Dr. Fount Lee Shults deserves my special thanks.
Not Many Fathers
Philip and Dick: The passage of Scripture that comes to our minds as we share these stories of special leaders in our lives is 1 Corinthians 4:15. In that portion of his letter, Paul is talking about the unique role he has played in the lives of the Corinthians: “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.”
The Apostle wasn’t diminishing the role of the “ten thousand instructors.” In our journey with Jesus Christ, we are influenced by hundreds (if not thousands) of brothers and sisters who help us along in our development in Christ. They all have great value.
However, Paul is placing specific emphasis here on the unique role of the people who led us directly into our commitment to Jesus Christ. They deserve special thanks.
A Thankful Person
The following excerpt from Derek Prince’s teaching may seem like an unusual place to find a quote on expressing gratitude. But here it is, nonetheless, from Part 1 of a radio series called, “What Is a Patriot?” The title of this particular message is “Being Appreciative,” and it will help us show gratitude to those who deserve our thanks.
What is one of the marks of being filled with the Holy Spirit? You will be a thankful person. You see, the Holy Spirit is typified as oil, and when you have plenty of oil in the Holy Spirit, your life will be like a little oil can. Wherever you go, a little drop of oil will come out. “Thank you.” “Thank You, God.” “Thank you” to your fellow men. “Thank you for serving me.” “Thank you for taking my luggage for me.” “Thank you” for whatever it may be. The older I get, the more I seek to cultivate being thankful to God and to people.
Then, there are three short but beautiful verses in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
So, it is God’s will that you give thanks in all circumstances. You see, you can be leading a life that is in the will of God. Even so, you may feel you are out of the will of God if you are not being thankful. Why? Because that is the will of God.
There are two directions in which to be thankful: vertical, toward God; horizontal, toward our fellow man. As we fulfill these two obligations, we are like people who go into a place where machinery is running, but in danger of a breakdown. We take out our little oil can, and we oil the machinery so it works again smoothly and perfectly.
Taking the Step
Recognizing our need to express gratitude to those who have played a pivotal role in our spiritual progress, how should we respond? Perhaps we might ask Jesus for help?
Dear Lord Jesus, I can’t imagine where I would be today had I not come to know You. I so appreciate the many people who have contributed to my spiritual growth, and I am especially thankful for the ones who helped to open my eyes for the first time to my need for You. I’m very grateful for those who led me to You!
With this prayer, I commit myself to contact these people (if they are still on earth), and to express my gratitude to them. At the very least, I want to take a step to honor them for their love and concern. Please help me to know how best to do that—a call, a text, a letter, or an email—to let them know how thankful I am.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming into my life. I am so grateful. Amen.
A Little Help from Us
The simple action to which we have just committed ourselves is not rocket science. It entails two simple, intentional steps: finding the person(s) we wish to contact and then making the effort to get in touch with them. (No doubt, they will be grateful!)
Even though what we have just decided to do is a simple step, it may still seem rather daunting or complicated. If that is the case, you may want to take in the entire week of the series by Derek Prince where “Being Appreciative” appeared (and from which we drew his quote). It is our pleasure to offer this to you free of charge.
As always, we are delighted to provide material like this to you. It is our way of thanking you again for your wonderful involvement, your prayers, and your support.
Joy and Blessing
Expressing gratitude always results in spiritual synergy. What do we mean by that? Synergy, by definition, is the creation of “a combined effect greater than the sum of the separate efforts.” In other words, one plus one equals five rather than two.
Saying “thank you” sets off a chain reaction—joy for the recipient, and blessings for the one saying it—which then causes more joy for the recipient. The verse that comes to mind is 1 Peter 1:8, which speaks of “joy inexpressible and full of glory.” With that in mind, let’s embark upon this venture to seek out those who deserve our special thanks.
What if we can’t reach them? Or what if they have already gone on to glory? Go ahead and express your gratitude anyhow in God’s presence, entrusting the message to Him. Doing so will not only bless you—it will honor those deserving special thanks.
Sincerely in Christ,
Philip Wyns
President, DPM-USA
All the best,
Dick Leggatt
Executive Consultant/Senior Editor
