“18I wait for your salvation, O Lord.” – Genesis 49:18 (ESV)
I know, how does that one verse fit into the discussion of a place for thanksgiving? Well it is the 18th verse of 33 in chapter 49 of Genesis. It fits in the middle of Jacob’s declarations to his 12 sons of their past and futures. Jacob takes a break in the middle of his declarations to give the one liner to God of thanksgiving. No long monologue. No 15 minute oration. A simple one line of thanksgiving.
I recently was in a discussion with a business colleague and took the opportunity to exclaim my mission statement. Whereas I may mission statement does not give thanks to God, it does indicated that God is my example in very plain language: “Improve lives through growth and learning as an example of Christ’s love.” In the middle of a business conversation I was able to declare my following of Christ.
I have not always been bold enough to declare Christ in my public life as there was fear of not being accepted and that I would be treated as a religious zealot and not taken seriously. I was wrong.
There is always a place for God. I have learned over the years, yes years, that Christ is worthy of my declarations and I should not be afraid to follow Him in all aspects of my life. In personal private moments, in public moments, and in business moments as well. It only proves the authenticity of my heart when I do declare Him.
What about you, do you shy away from declarations of God? Are you afraid the timing is not right? Will you seek to find a place for God in all that you do?
Trevor's Thoughts 