With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, I’m going to split this week’s post into two parts. I have two topical thoughts on the upcoming holiday. Here is this week’s musing:
Thanksgiving is a choice.
I was watching several mini-movies today in research for our upcoming Sunday worship experience. I watched two in particular back to back and, at the risk of sounding emotional, I had to leave my office after the second one finished because I was a little teary. The videos both focused on giving thanks in the very best of times and the hardest of times. Both mini-movies used the same verse:
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
You can probably guess where this is going. Yet, it’s so important. Notice these two words: All Circumstances. All circumstances:
When my kids are healthy.
When my kids are sick.
When I’m blessed with plenty.
When I’m scared I can’t pay my bills.
With new life.
With the loss of a loved one.
With fresh starts.
When I have to say goodbye.
During sunny days.
During lonely nights.
With family and friends.
With no one.
Thankfulness isn’t dependent on my circumstances. It’s rooted in who God is and His promises. Let’s choose thankfulness today. And the days when this is hard (which is often) I find that I can always be thankful for this:
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
Til next time,
DP