Day 164 - November 25 - Thanksgiving is coming

Thanksgiving is the day after tomorrow, and I've been giving it a lot of thought. We had the opportunity to share Thanksgiving with some very dear friends from New Zealand a couple of years ago, and it gave us a fresh look at an old holiday. There's nothing like seeing our odd American traditions through the eyes of folks who have never celebrated the holiday in their life!

That year we cited the things that we were thankful for, and for the most part it was the run-of-the-mill Thanksgiving things - health, and family, and good friends, and the like. Needless to say, this year I won't be able to fall back on the usual list of gratitudinal recipients, as it were.

I suspect I'm not the only one who feels this way. What with the state of the economy, the housing, banking, credit and employment issues, and a general sense of despair for civilization, many people around the globe are faced this season with less than rosy prospects. Folks are losing their jobs, many have lost their savings or their homes, and 30 seconds spent watching the news is enough to get all of us to call our doctors for anti-depressants.

So what then should we be thankful for this year? Well, I can't answer that question for you, but I can tell you some things that might help. ..

First - God is good. Jesus says so in Mark 10:18, but you already know this by your own experience, don't you? So since you already know that God is good, the first thing you need to do is to start believing it.

Second - God loves you. And just like you enjoy surprising your loved ones with good things to show you love them, so God delights to do good for His children. In fact, His word says that He works ALL things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Even layoffs. Even bear markets. Even broken necks. Again, you know this. Now is the time to start actually believing it.

Third - God is faithful. The Bible says He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in you. So that means that whatever you're facing - whether it's no job, or dismal sales prospects, or having to put off retirement, or even a broken neck - is happening in your life because God is working to make you more the man or woman He wants you to be. One that's conformed to the image of Christ. And He is faithful to complete it. And once again, you know this. You just need to remember to believe it.

Fourth - God wants you to bring your concerns to Him. Do you understand how big that is? We're talking about the Being who created the universe; every star, every planet, every asteroid, and everything on every one of those things - and then set it all into a magnificent ballet of existence; and He did it by breathing it into existence! He didn't even have to work at it; He just exhaled! And that Being is actually interested in you, and me, and in our lives to the tiniest detail!!! And He wants you to come to Him for help, and guidance, and provision. Wow. And again, you already know this - but do you really believe it's true?

So this Thanksgiving, we're going to have some different things to thank God for. What about you?

----------------------------------------
Print This Page