Meandering - Thanksgiving

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:14-16

It is difficult, if not impossible, to simply ‘be thankful’. Gratitude, I suppose, can be faked, but it would have the dark, hollow ring of emptiness to it. Thinking precedes thanking. Heartfelt thanksgiving flows from the fountain of divine contemplation. The Apostle Paul tells us that our hearts will be filled with ‘thankfulness’ when we think deeply upon the riches of Christ’s love and peace, wisely building each other up upon his word.

Conversely, Paul states in Romans 12:1 that although all of humanity knows there is a God, they have chosen to ignore him. “They did not honour him as God or give thanks to him.” As a result, “they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

In the busyness of our pursuing created things as an excuse to ignore our Creator, is it any wonder why we do not feel more thankful? Nevertheless, as someone has said, “The greatest miracle in the world is God's patience and bounty to an ungrateful world.”  

Jesus once said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” As the Creator of foxes and birds, of heaven and earth itself, he had a right to any palace or stately home. Yet, he willingly became homeless. Why? So that an ungrateful sinner like me could be redeemed, loved and cared for now, and graciously given the promise of a mansion with him in paradise forever.

Pondering such biblical truths fills our hearts with praise, thanks, and giving. Genuine ‘thanks’ leads to generous ‘giving’. Evidence of a biblically minded church is a thankfulness to God that bountifully overflows in generosity. This, without question, is what we, as your staff, witness week after week in our church family. God loves to bless such cheerful givers, and he is blessing us! “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which… will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

My heart is full with thanksgiving to God for you. Your generous financial support, faithful prayer, ministry participation, and encouragement, are so greatly appreciated!

We are never so human as when we are in prayer and supplication; and never so angelic as when we are in praise and thanksgiving. 

Thanks for meandering along with me,
Pastor Daniel