I recently came across some helpful tips for my spiritual journey: characteristics common among ordinary people who live spiritual lives. Or another way to put it, on a good day, these ordinary people pursue their faith and spirituality by doing some of the following.

They allow their spirituality to give real meaning to their lives. Faith practice is not just an "add-on." When push comes to shove, when a key decision is needed, they turn to their faith and prayer practice for discernment. Their spirituality makes a real difference in how they live their lives.

They make spirituality a priority. It is something they want, so they work at it. Faith gets prime time and prime energy, rather than leftover time and low energy. They intentionally nurture their spirituality each day.

They are open to knowing God. They seek God. Sounds simple, but the idea is that they take a posture of listening and learning, always open to questions and growth. This posture draws them deeper into prayer.

The characteristic that struck me most deeply is this one: they carry a sense of gratitude. They are filled with wonder and awe for all that God is doing in the world, rather than cynicism and doubt. Each day they fall deeper in love with the Creator who loved them into life.

I think Tom Tomaszek understood this characteristic of gratitude when he wrote the song Grateful. Beautifully sung by Steve Angrisano and Sarah Hart, the refrain goes like this:

Grateful for the life you give us,
thankful for your Holy Son,
joyful in your Spirit flowing
over all, O God of love.
Grateful for the Bread of Heaven,
thankful for your Holy Word,
joyful in your mercy flowing,
we will praise you.

Here is a simple exercise to strengthen your own characteristic of gratitude. Take a crack at re-writing the words of this refrain. I'll get you started:

Grateful . . .
Thankful . . .
Joyful . . .

Now, one more time:

Grateful . . .
Thankful . . .
Joyful . . .

Let us conclude by praying these words from Psalm 111:1-4.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures for ever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.

Amen.

Related Articles:

• Prayers of Gratitude
• Gratefulness, Not Hatefulness: Five things we can do to bring healing into our hearts

Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.