Giving thanks
Photo: YuriArcurs
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100 (NRSV)
There are two things that are different about Psalm 100. One is that it’s the only Psalm to be titled, “A Psalm of Thanksgiving.” It’s not only one that expresses gratitude to God but it’s the only one to carry this title.
The second difference is in relation to the wider culture at the time of its writing. Like many Psalms, it talks about God’s goodness, steadfast love and faithfulness. This understanding of God is a radical departure from most ancient gods, who could be capricious, harsh and vindictive. This is a God who cares for the people and invites them into the holy courts to worship and praise.
God’s people are encouraged to know that God is Lord and creator and, as the image of a shepherd implies, is also a guide and protector. The Hebrew word for “know” is not just knowledge, it’s a deep, intimate awareness of who God is in relation to the people.
I experience Psalm 100 as a call to connection with God and other people. It extends the expression of gratitude from simply giving thanks as an individual to doing it in community. It’s one thing to be thankful, it’s another to acknowledge this to others, which requires a certain amount of vulnerability.
Self-differentiation is not self-sufficiency or self-centeredness. Non-anxious leaders know they can’t do it alone. They need God and they need others. This often creates a tension between self-definition and emotional connection. For me, it’s gratitude that makes it possible to balance the two. It’s reminder that I can’t do it alone, even as I seek to become the self that God intends me to be.
When we gather together with others in worship, in community activities, and with family and friends, it is like entering the holy courts of God. There is a divine presence that can make us shout for joy and give thanks, if we are open to recognizing it. As Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them (Matthew 18:20 NRSV).”
When you gather at table this Thanksgiving, I hope it will be with people whom you care about. And I hope you will recognize that God is among you.
Recommendations
This week's recommendations will help you to recognize the emotional process behind the anxiety you experience in your family, congregation or organization.
A Game Plan for the Holidays by Kathleen Smith. If you're planning to spend time with family this season you'll want to read this. Smith is on the faculty at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and understands that we all have challenges in our families of origin. She offers three helpful suggestions to prepare for your time together.
The Person You Dance around Has Control by Dan Rockwell. This quick read from a self-described leadership freak is a reminder that dependent people can only control us if we let them. He gives seven tips to take greater responsibility for self. I'm not sure if Rockwell is a family systems guy but this article should resonate with anyone who's trying to lead as a non-anxious presence.
Podcast
Episode 202 of The Non-Anxious Leader Podcast, Four Types of Triangles and How to Manage Them, is now available.