What do you think is the greatest thing you can do for God?

We can often think that displays of great Christianity are in the size of our tithes, in going on missions trips to remote villages, in spending hours praying for people or in speaking at conferences.

But not everyone is called to be a missionary, not everyone has the same amount of money to give to the church, and “pray without ceasing” doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your daily tasks in order to make more time to pray.

What each and every one of us can do though, wherever we are and however old you are, is be thankful.

It may seem elementary or even somewhat insignificant, but one of the most important things we can do in our relationship with God is simply to have gratitude.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” — Colossians 3:15 (emphasis mine)

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (emphasis mine)

A while ago, I heard someone on our local Christian radio say that whenever she’s having a rough day or just doesn’t feel like herself, she intentionally thinks of a few things that she can be grateful for, and thanks God for those things. And that’s not just a nice idea suggested by someone on Pinterest — it’s a God-given command.

We wouldn’t have these commands if thankfulness wasn’t important to Him — or if it wasn’t important to our growth and faith. A grateful heart is one of the most important ways we can emulate Christ, and in contrast, the ungodly are specifically characterized as ungrateful.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God… from such people turn away!” –2 Timothy 3:1-5 (emphasis mine)

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” — Ephesians 5:17-20 (emphasis mine)

Maybe you look back on your life and feel less than because you haven’t done these “great things”, like being a missionary or a pastor. But those ‘big things’ aren’t what matter to God, and if someone is in those high positions while having a disingenuous heart, they have even greater judgment coming for them.

God has different callings and environments for us each to live and thrive in, but we all have the same call to holiness and becoming more like Him. Cultivating gratitude is a big part of that, and it’s something we can do silently, written down on a page or even just going through it silently in our minds. Every good thing in our lives has come from His hand, and there’s so much that we can be grateful for, whether that’s our relationships, our jobs, our gifts, or even just a sunny day outside and the smell of a favorite sweater.

Thank Him for all of it.