Gratitude is on my mind today. I’m not thinking about gratitude because Donald Trump won—quite the contrary, I can’t remember when I felt this demoralized. I am fearful in many ways of what the next four years may bring. And because I’m fearful, I’ve decided I need to count my blessings. Let me explain.
The film The Mission tells the true story of Jesuit priests bringing the gospel to the native tribes deep in the jungles of South America. Early in the story, we see a slave trader named Rodrigo Mendoza played by Robert de Niro killing and capturing the Indian natives to sell as slaves. On his return from a slaving expedition, he kills his brother in a fit of jealous rage when he finds him involved with his mistress.
His guilt over killing his brother is overwhelming, until he meets the Jesuit priest played by Jeremy Irons who convinces him he is not beyond redemption. And so, Rodrigo follows the Jesuits into the jungle, dragging behind him a sack filled with armor and swords symbolizing his life of violence.
Rodrigo eventually encounters the Indians he had formerly killed and captured as slaves. It’s a tremendously moving scene. The release of emotion in Rodrigo in response to the incredible grace of the Indians who forgive their former enemy and free him from his burden of guilt is utterly real and natural. If the power of film is to give us glimpses of our common human condition, then this scene does so in the experience of receiving grace as well as anything I’ve ever encountered.
The only thing that really gets people moving to seriously follow Jesus is gratitude. No one can make anyone else feel grateful. No one can even make themselves feel grateful, anymore than they can make themselves be humble. Like humility, gratitude is the by-product of something else.
This “something else” is grace—the grace of being freely given what we know we don’t deserve. Rodrigo experienced grace. So have I. And I continue to receive God’s grace, in ways small and large, every day if I can only pay attention.
In the face of fear (of anything), it’s gratitude that keeps us seriously following Jesus. While fear is like dry pine needles, gratitude is like an oak log that burns slowly—its heat and light will last throughout the coldest night.
The warmth of gratitude slowly thaws out self-pity, bitterness, anxiety and fear. I’m grateful to live in a free country that is ruled by law, not individuals. I’m grateful that for all its imperfections, America is still a beacon of light and hope for many in the world. I’m grateful for the opportunities being an American my has given me to learn, grow and make a difference for others. I’m grateful for the rich tapestry of cultures and peoples I’ve come to know in my journey through life. On a personal level, I’m grateful for my family as my solid foundation in an unsteady world and for Jesus, the unshakeable Rock on whom I stand. All these are grace—I don’t deserve them and too often take them for granted.
I’ve learned that gratitude is the antidote to fear. Where fear immobilizes, gratitude empowers. Where fear sucks energy out of us, gratitude renews our strength. It’s gratitude that gets us out of the stands and down onto the playing field.
Thanks for your reflection on the election results. Although I am not pleased, I know that it won’t impact my daily life. Until 240 years ago, nobody had choices regarding their leadership.
Rich,
I don’t mean this as a criticism, but you are much more positive than I am. All of the things you write about the USA are true now, but I don’t think they will be 24 hours after Trump is sworn in.
His actions and words (for the most part) before and after the election lead me to believe we are faced with a dictatorship not long after January 20, 2017. Look at who he is surrounding himself
with — Rudy, Bannon, etc. — not exactly glowing specimens of
humanity. I hope I am wrong, but I just don’t see good things happening for anyone except the wealthiest, and I’m not sure about all of them. The Republican majorities in the senate and house will
cooperate and compromise with Trump, but not with the Democrat minority — they have proved that the past eight years, and they are stronger now than then. The best hope we have is that the middle class and the minorities will unite and take the house and senate in 2018 — a possibility I wish I had more confidence in.
But thanks for your positiveness — we are going to need more and more of that!
Noah