Gratitude

"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places..." - Psalm 16:6

I remember walking across the wetlands to remote, isolated villages in Bangladesh - no power, no running water, nothing much of anything, and certainly not the basic luxuries we take for granted here in NZ. Yet, in that context of in-your-face poverty, I encountered people who radiated joy. Children played with meagre resources - a branch for a cricket bat, and I don't remember what the "ball" was made from. Women prepared very basic meals of dahl and rice in small portions. Men smiled from ear to ear as they returned from their day of back-breaking labour in the fields. And this spoilt Kiwi was filled with a sudden humility, gratitude, and dare I say it, a measure of guilt.

David wrote that the boundary lines in his life had fallen in pleasant places. In other words, he was pleased-with and grateful-for his lot. Is that true of us? Or are we tempted to walk to the boundary line, look over the fence to the neighbouring field, and wish we had what they have? It's very easy to do, and so much more in our hyper-connected society than ever before.

One of my favourite quotes is this: "Comparison is the thief of joy." I don't know who originally penned it, so I can't credit the author - but it's so true! And since we often compare ourselves 'upward', we can't help but assess what is in our own field and determine that it's not quite enough.

If comparison is the thief of joy, then gratitude is the locked door that prevents the theft. Let us be a people who turn our backs to the boundary fence and regard with thankfulness all that the Lord has supplied. I reckon our joy will only increase, and who couldn't do with a little more joy in their life?

- Ps. Nigel