I doubt that there is such a thing as a measure of spirituality, but if there is, gratitude would be it.

John Calvin from his Institute of Christian Worship

If there is one metric to measure our faith journey, I am with Calvin that it is gratitude.  The level of gratitude in our lives points toward an inner realization of what we have received.  Little gratitude indicates a self-dependence, merit-based “I deserve” or “I earned” this mentality.  Gratitude shows the inner posture of humility stemming from the realization that all we have is a gift from God which often comes through grace bearers God places in our lives.

I also believe gratitude stems from a life well-examined. It’s not that we don’t want to be grateful, we often just rush to the next thing in or life and don’t take the necessary time to reflect and allow the gratitude to swell.

The more thankful we daily receive what is given to us, the more surely and steadily will fellowship increase and grow from day to day as God pleases.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer from Life Together