As I sit here staring at a blank document on my computer wondering, “What am I going to write about for the November newsletter?”, I thought, since no new and original idea was coming to mind, I should go back and look at some of my previous articles over the years. I came across one I wrote several years ago about being thankful and even though I was trying to avoid using the ever popular “be thankful” theme, something slightly different came to mind which I think is still applicable to all of us today. So, here we go.
November is a month where people tend to list out the things we’re thankful for, (it’s probably because of that one holiday called “Thanksgiving”). Some will even list something every day on their social media pages (which is not something you’ll never find me doing). Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to be thankful, and I am thankful for many different things – I just don’t care to broadcast it all over social media. Besides, many times the things listed after family and friends are all material things which eventually break, get lost, or simply need to be replaced.
But don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be the Scrooge or Grinch of Thanksgiving, it is good to be thankful. The Bible even tells us that. First Thessalonians says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Wait, look closely, did you notice what it says? “Give thanks in all circumstances…”. So, does this mean we’re supposed to give thanks in those times when life isn’t going like we’ve planned or when something bad happens? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, yes, that’s exactly what it means.
We all know that bad things are going to happen. People will get sick, things will break or be stolen, feelings will be hurt by those we call our friends, and relationships are going to go through tough times and may even come to an end. It may be hard to see these as times to give thanks, but they are. And here’s why…
Notice the word that comes before “all.” What is it? It’s the word in. We’re told to give thanks in all circumstances, not for all circumstances. The evil, the bad things of life don’t come from God, those are a result of sin being in the world. This is why we’re not thankful for all circumstances. We’re thankful in all circumstances because no matter what we’re facing in life, God is still in control and God’s presence is still with us. This means that his love, mercy, compassion, and all the other wonderful things God is and does are still with us. They are with us because we are his beloved children. And to prove that, God sent Jesus, His only Son, so that anyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
So in this month of reflection on what it is that we’re thankful for…the thing I’m most thankful for is this – the precious gift of Jesus and his victorious resurrection! Because through this we are claimed as God’s children. And I’m thankful that God continues to go with us wherever it is that we go. It’s my constant prayer that no matter what any of us experience in our lives, that we remember that he’s always there with us and we can lean on him all the time. May you have a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving!
Pastor Tony
