I know I’ve said it or have had someone say it to me…. “That’s okay; it’s the thought that counts.”But really, when you are opening that hideous present that you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing…what are you really thinking?
We are so fast to respond with something that we don’t actually mean; and we give a credibility to the 'fib' by stating aloud that what is important is the 'thought' behind it. Really...how much thought goes into an ugly sweater or a horrible smelling cologne or when you hear "I'm sorry, I meant to do that for you but I forgot"? We are all guilty of forgetfulness and poor taste at one time or another but the 'thought that counts' is the one that is completed through doing.
It would be impossible for me to count the times that I made a mental note to call or send a card to someone. To my shame, I must admit that I sent out only a small percentage of cards and made fewer calls to those I had hoped to encourage.
I have nothing against sending cards and notes; in fact I enjoy sending them as well as feel good when I receive them.So what’s the problem?I am a bit of a procrastinator so that’s part of it but I also get too busy, probably doing things less important…but as some would say… ‘It is the thought that count.’
I do have something against phone calls however – I hate making them.For one thing it takes so much time and I hate taking that time, especially if the recipient of that call is long winded.To sit face to face and listen and pray…that’s me.However making a call just causes me to bristle.But since it is ‘the thought that counts’, I’m still on safe ground – right?
Over and over again I had a thought that would have counted... if I had done one thing…followed through.
Jesus is my Savior; not a savior or even The Savior, He is MY Savior!I can say that because of two things:a) He didn’t just think about the cross- He went to it and died there and b) I chose through faith…I asked believing that He save me…personally…but …What if –
What if one day in heaven Jesus said to the Father – “You know, mankind just doesn’t get it.Their lives are filled with sin.We need to do something so that they can abide with us.”In return the Father responds “Hey, what do you think about this? You leave heaven and I’ll wait here for you; and you Son, will die a wicked agonizing death to save them from their wretchedness.Most won’t believe in you or who you are and will gladly kill you; but for those who believe, they will be given eternal life.It means a lot of sacrifice and suffering on our part but it will be worth it.”
After only a slight hesitation, both the Father and the Son say “Nah…nice ‘thought’ though, but it won’t work.”
Wait…think about it –
Now, where would we be if the Christ only thought about the cross and did nothing about it?What does that say to us?
What about mercy? [“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”Luke 6:36]We are not to waste time thinking of reasons why we should be merciful, we are instructed to be it!
What about forgiveness?Do you have a choice?Read Matthew 18: 21-35 to see the example of mercy and forgiveness that Jesus talks about.
What about a few verses to reinforce why it is necessary to pray and not schedule or fit prayer in.Matt. 9:38 (ask); Mark 14:38 (watch & pray); Luke 6:28 (pray for those who mistreat you); II Thess. 3:1 (personal request-spread the Gospel); Hebrews 13:18 (personal request-clear conscience) and James 5:16 (prayer for healing) etc.
Prayer is mentioned over and over and over in the scriptures and not once does it instruct us to fit prayer into our busy schedules.‘Just do it’ is the message and represents the very attribute of Christ - that we are to take on ourselves- that of obedience.
Mercy, love, kindness, forgiveness, patience, etc. does not have to be weighed and balanced in order to accomplish it.It is not the thought of patience…it is being patient; it is not the thought of kindness that is important but the act of kindness.Don’t miss out on the blessings of God because you ‘thought’ you didn’t have enough time or you ‘thought’ that your caring didn’t matter.Live your faith and allow your ‘thought’-fullness to be God honoring.
When the ‘thought’ enters our mind to be selfish, cunning, bitter, hateful, deceitful, lazy, etc., well, we know that the ‘thought that counts’ is the one that banishes those feelings and emotions.They are not godly…they are not Christ like.
It’s not the thought that counts, it’s the carrying out of the good thought that brings blessing.
Walking in Peace / division of C.O.P.E. Women's Ministries Sue Puff, author