Lectio Divina: Gratitude
Date: October 12, 2026
Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17
Mélodie-Joy Desjardins
Part 1: Inward Focus
Welcome… I’m so glad you’re here today.
Before we begin, take a moment to settle your heart and mind and become aware of God’spresence with you.
If you’re comfortable, close your eyes.
Take a slow, deep breath in… And slowly breathe out…
Once more… breathe in… And as you breathe out, allow your body to release some of the tension you may be carrying.
Just be still for a moment… and know that God is here.
Our theme this month is gratitude.
When we think about gratitude, our minds may naturally go to the things God has given us—the prayers He has answered, the ways He has provided, or the blessings we can name.
But today, our Scripture reading invites us to consider gratitude from another perspective:
What about our gratitude for one another?
The people God has placed in our lives can be some of His greatest gifts—and sometimes relationships can also be difficult.
In Colossians 3, Paul speaks to people learning how to live together as one body. He calls them toward compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. And then, in our passage today, he tells them to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts—and to be thankful.
Let’s pray. O Holy Spirit, quiet our hearts before You. As we listen to Your Word, show us the people we may need to see differently. Where frustration, hurt, or anger has taken up too muchspace, let the peace of Christ rule. Teach us to see one another with gratitude and to respond with Your love. Amen.
Our Scripture today is Colossians 3:15–17.
As you listen, notice how often Paul connects the way we live with one another to peace and gratitude.
‘And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message aboutChrist, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.’
“Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.”There is something powerful about the word rule. When relationships become difficult, something is going to influence how we respond. Sometimes it’s frustration. Sometimes it’s hurt. Sometimes it’s our need to be understood… or to be right.And if we’re not careful, we can begin rehearsing what someone has done wrong—the words they said, what they failed to do, or all the ways we wish they would change.
But Paul gives us another invitation:Let the peace of Christ rule. And then he adds:Be thankful.
What if gratitude can help us loosen our grip on ourselves—our need to be right, to be heard, or to have our own way—and help us see the whole person again? Not ignoring what is difficult. Not pretending hurt isn’t real. But refusing to allow someone’s shortcomings to become the whole story we tell ourselves about them.
Jesus showed us a love that does not insist on itself, but willingly lays itself down for one another.
Take a moment now to sit with the Lord.
●Is there someone whose faults have become easier for you to see than the gift they are?
●Is there frustration, hurt, or anger toward someone that you need to surrender to Jesus today?
●What might change if the peace of Christ—not your frustration—were allowed to rule your response to them?
Pause
Part 2: Outward Focus
Now, let’s consider how gratitude might shape the way we see those God has entrusted to us through ministry. Bring to mind a young person you serve. Maybe it’s someone you love spending time with. Or perhaps it’s someone you find more difficult to connect with.
In ministry, it can become easy to notice what needs attention.The appointment that was missed. The commitment that wasn’t followed through on. The behaviour that keeps resurfacing. The choice we wish they hadn’t made… or the one we wish they had. These things may need to be addressed. But they are not the whole person. The young person we serve are more than their behaviours, their struggles, or the choices they make.
They are deeply loved by God—and worthy of being seen through His eyes.
What might gratitude change about the way we see them?
Can gratitude help us see the person before the behaviour?
Pause
Let’s listen again to the words of Colossians 3:15–17. This time, as you listen, hold that young
person before the Lord.
‘And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one
body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about
Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the
wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful
hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks through him to God the Father.
’
As you continue to hold them before the Lord…
What is something about this young person that you can thank God for today?
Is there a frustration or expectation you need to release so that you can see
them more clearly through the eyes of Jesus?
How might gratitude change the way you speak to them, pray for them, or walk
alongside them this week?
Pause
As we come to the end of our time together, remember that gratitude is more than noticing the
blessings around us. It can change the way we see one another.
When we allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts, we can loosen our grip on frustration,
make room for gratitude, and choose to respond with love.
May the peace of Christ rule in us, gratitude reshape how we see one another, and love
guide how we respond.
Part 2: Closing Prayer
We will close with an ancient prayer for God’s peace and protection as we entrust ourselves into His care.
O God,
from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
and all just works do proceed:
give to your servants that peace
which the world cannot give;
that our hearts may be set to obey your will;
and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies,
may pass our time in rest and quietness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
