Pre- and Post-Gratitude

What does grown up communion look like? What defines mature communion? At the peak of glory, what do we do at the Lord’s supper?

We are not complete in Christ yet, and, if things go according to His blessing, we will never have a time around this Table when actually “all is calm, all is bright.” The clouds of our immaturity are dispersing, and we thank the Lord for that. His blessings are flowing more and more even as His grace extends more and more, but we’re not at MAX LEVELS yet.

Should we be thankful?

Kids get excited; we can learn something from them. Kids who are raised well give thanks when they’ve received a gift; that is all good. And as they grow up they learn the goodness of pre-gratitude. Lack of post-gratitude is gross. Presence of pre-thanks is gold.

And also, while the pre- may be more powerful than the post-, the pre- isn’t to preclude/prevent the enjoyment. First, give thanks, second, eat up. It’s not first, give thanks, second, there is no second.

The way to prevent overindulging is to start with thanksgiving, not to wonder if you will be strong enough to remember to give thanks afterward and so avoid the actual things you would give thanks for anyway. This applies to our communion and anticipation of Christ’s second coming, this applies to Christmas and our celebration of Christ’s incarnation.

This is a great time develop muscles and maturity for handling our blessings, those that were and are and will be in Christ. We give thanks, rejoicing in faith at what we’ve received AND what is still to be received when Christ’s glory is revealed.