Be the One

By Charla Spalluto Misse

There is a Biblical event that comes to my mind often – when Jesus cleansed 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19).

Briefly, in this event, 10 lepers call out to Jesus to have mercy on them. He tells them to go and show themselves to the priests (who would declare whether they remained diseased). On their way, all 10 lepers were cleansed.

One of the 10, when he realized that he was healed, turned back to glorify God and to give thanks and praise to Jesus. Noting that the other nine were healed but had not returned as this one did, Jesus tells the one to go on his way, that his faith has healed him.

Because lepers at the time were completely outcast from their villages as well as their families, there is no doubt that the other nine were thankful to have their lives returned to them, but they did not take the time to give glory, thanks and praise to our almighty and merciful God. They were healed, but they were not saved.

It is so easy to be thankful to God for some healing or good fortune and to then simply continue on with life. But to really pause, to recognize him and to thank him, to even make a sacrifice in showing your thanksgiving, that is what sets you apart from the other nine. That is what delivers you into his arms for eternity.

Every day, I want to humbly return to him to give thanks, to recognize that all good things come from heaven and that glory and praise should be given to him.

Every day, I want to “be the one.”

This Thanksgiving, perhaps more than one of us will bow down and show Jesus just how grateful we are for his limitless mercy. And, perhaps, more than one of us will continue to do this beyond the holiday.