As a principal, there are certain qualities I desire to see in students such as respect, responsibility, and integrity.  Those are the traits I look for, because I know those qualities will help students excel in school and in life.  God’s relationship with us is similar in that there are certain qualities He desires to see in us.  These are the attributes He looks for, because they please Him.  When we demonstrate these qualities, we can experience His best for our lives.  But what exactly is God looking for?

The 17th chapter of the Gospel of Luke provides some insight into that question in the account of Jesus healing ten lepers.  He had told the lepers to go show themselves to the priest, and as they did they were cleansed of their disease.  Their healing was truly miraculous, as there was no known cure for leprosy at the time.  Still, only one of the ten lepers even returned to thank Jesus for the miracle.  Jesus responded, “Were there not ten cleansed?  But where are the other nine?  Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (v. 17-18).  In this instance, Jesus was looking for people who would thank Him for what He had done for them.  I believe He’s still looking for the same kind of people today.

How often do we forget to thank Him for the awesome things He has done for us?  We should never take His blessing for granted!  We can all say as the psalmist proclaimed, “Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us!” (Ps. 126:3, NLT).  In this Thanksgiving season, let’s make sure thanks is given!  Let’s give God what He’s looking for…a grateful heart that will glorify Him!