A Devotion for the Good King

Recently I read a captivating book on a subject I thought I knew a lot about. Turns out, I have a lot to learn. The book, A Thousand: A Gratitude Journey by A.J. Jacobs, is based on a 15-minute TED Talk that he gave in June 2018.

From the outset of the TED Talk and his book, Jacobs admits that he’s really good at finding things that annoy him.

He writes: “I can hear 100 compliments and a single insult, and what do I remember? The insult.”

Does this sound familiar? I’d guess that Jacobs is not the only person this happens to.

Studies conducted over decades have concluded that our brains are actually wired to pick out the negative. This trait is a survival technique: our ancestors needed to be able to identify predators waiting to attack. Even today, we need our brains to alert us of any threats that may harm us. It’s why we slam on our brakes when an animal darts out in front, or double check that we’ve turned off the stove before we leave the house. In proper amounts, our brain that prepares us for the worst, actually protects us.

But when that negative brain is put into overdrive, when we are constantly programmed to expect the worst, we can slip into anxiety, stress, and depression. Add to this strain the constant barrage of fear inducing, comparison driven news and social media and our minds and spirits become overwhelmed with negative bias.

What researcher have found, Jacobs writes, is that one of the best ways to offset the negativity trap is by practicing gratitude.

When he realized this, Jacobs began the simple act of saying a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude before every meal. His goal was to recognize the people who made it possible for their food to arrive on the family’s table. He thanked the farmer who grew the vegetables, the truck driver who transported them, and even the cashier who rang him up.

One evening after saying this prayer, Jacobs’ son pointed out: “You know these people can’t hear you, right?”

Of course, Jacobs knew this. But his son’s question would eventually lead him to take his practice of gratitude on an extreme quest – thanking almost one thousand people, in person, for their contribution to his daily cup of coffee.

Jacobs’ gratitude experiment was an exercise in realigning his priorities.

Jacobs references UC Davis psychology professor, Robert Emmons, a researcher of gratitude, who says:

“Grateful living is possible only when we realize that other people and agents do things for us that we cannot do for ourselves. Gratitude emerges from two stages of information processing—affirmation and recognition. We affirm the good and credit others with bringing it about. In gratitude, we recognize that the source of goodness is outside of ourselves.”

The source of goodness is outside of ourselves.

When we practice gratitude, we make our blessings not about ourselves. We remember and recognize that all we have comes from a God who holds all things together.

This week, we will celebrate Christ the King Sunday. This Sunday, also the last in the liturgical year, is the day we recognize and affirm Christ as the head of the church, the author and originator of all things. We will remember the words written in the first chapter of Colossians:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.” 

- Colossians 1: 15-20 NRSV

The King that we celebrate on Christ the King Sunday, the one whose life, death, and resurrection healed and saved our brokenness, was also a flesh and blood man who walked on earth.

As we give thanks this week, we also turn our eyes to the One who did what we could not do. The King Jesus who makes all things good and all things new.

Jesus, God enfleshed is indeed the source of goodness outside ourselves. But He is also the One who dwells with us here, His Spirit going before us, making a way in the darkness and wilderness of life. In the negative thoughts and worst-case-scenario situations that plague our thoughts, Jesus lives, the light shining in the dark that cannot be overcome.

As you go about your work this week, what does it look like to practice gratitude for this King? How does this King who is “God With Us” change our lives, hearts, and purpose?

Grateful for each of you,

Amy