Not the next Lebron…
In high school, I was just a good enough basketball player to be on the team through high school and play in most games my senior year. Though I didn’t play a lot of varsity minutes, I did learn a lot about basketball through endless hours of practice.
One of the things drilled into us was becoming a triple-threat. This refers to the position your body is in when you catch the ball on the offensive end of the court.
When you catch the ball, you want to be in a position where you are ready to either pass, shoot or dribble toward the basket. Thus, you are a threat in three areas – a triple threat.
This week my lead pastor, David, shared a devotion in our staff meeting from Colossians encouraging us to be a triple threat in life….through thanksgiving.
How to be a Triple Threat in life!
1. A State of Thanksgiving.
[quote]Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. -Colossians 3:15[/quote]
True thanksgiving starts here.Paul encourages everyone reading this passage to be thankful. This is a thankfulness based not on our circumstances. It’s not about our blessings (or curses).
We are called to be thankful because we are thankful people.
2. Sing our Thanksgiving.
[quote]Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing thankfulness in your hearts to God. -Colossians. 3:16[/quote]
Music and singing unlocks something in the spiritual realm we can’t do with our words alone. Do you have a song in your heart? Do you find yourself singing praises out loud?
Over the past year or two, I’ve been listening both to praise music and Christian radio more than I have in years. Here in my office, I listen to Spotify (I’m currently listening to Hillsong Young and Free). I have found myself singing and praising God more and more.
I encourage you to monitor what you are listening to (talk radio, secular music, Christian praise). It makes a difference in what comes out of your mouth. It makes a difference in what is deep within your heart.
3. Do and Say Thanks.
[quote]Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. -Colossians 3:17[/quote]
Isn’t it interesting that Paul saved the “doing” part for last? I admit it. I’m a doer. I would much rather do something than be. Doing is much easier to quantify and qualify. Being is much more subjective. While thanksgiving does include doing, it starts with being.<
When our heart is in a state of thankfulness; when our mouth is singing thanksgiving; it is much easier to do acts and say words of thanks.Our thankfulness ends here, but it begins with how we position ourselves.
This could change everything!
How we position ourselves in regards to thankfulness could literally change everything in our life. It can make the difference between getting and losing a job. It can save or destroy your marriage. It can propel into or hold your children from success.
This Thanksgiving, let’s not just say words and do works of thanksgiving. Let’s start with a state of thankfulness and add our songs of praise to God!
Leave a Reply