Thankful
The
word that they are all adored with is
THANKFUL.
We
pass by and read this word over and over. I think in a way we become numb to
it. In passing it might remind us that Thanksgiving is coming. Time to buy a
turkey….or figure out where we are going to be celebrating this glorious annual
meal.
For so
many it simply represents a time of year. Maybe we have a fleeting thought of
some great things going on in our lives, or some great people that have blessed
our lives. In a flash we might envision all those good people, places and
circumstances surrounding us.
1
Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “Be joyful
always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s
will for you in Christ Jesus.”
While we might
be caught up in all those great memories and wonderful visuals 1 Thessalonians
shares with us a difficult truth. We are to be thankful in ALL circumstances.
Not just that wonderful day at the beach, but that difficult night sitting in
the emergency room. Not just for our best friend who makes us laugh, but for
that difficult person who pushes our buttons relentlessly.
Why? Why should
we be thankful for things that aren’t inherently “good” in our eyes? Psalm
136:1 says “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures
forever.”
In every
circumstance one circumstance remains the same; God is with us because His love
for us endures forever. In not so good situations, God is ALWAYS good.
And for that we
give thanks.
Hebrews 12:28
says “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let
us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe”
We can at times
be shaken. Our worlds will be shaken. Our circumstances may be shaken, but we
have a God who can and will never be shaken. When we live our lives as Gods
Kingdom children, we live in that kingdom that cannot be shaken. When we live
our lives with eyes on God no matter what the world is trying to show us. When
we take each step knowing that God goes before us. When we move through each
trial with a peace that surpasses all understanding; we are living as Kingdom
children in a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
In 2 Timothy
3:1-4 it says “But mark this:
There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient
to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous,
without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash,
conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but
denying its power.”
Timothy goes on
to say 2 Timothy 3:10-11 “You, however, know all about my teaching, my
way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions,
sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and
Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me
from all of them…….
2 Timothy 3:
14-15 continues, “But as for you,
continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you
know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you
have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Timothy is
encouraging them…and us…to be Kingdom children. That we always keep our eye on
Jesus. That we always remember how the Lord has rescued us in our times of need,
and how through that understanding we live differently than the ungrateful.
“You, however,
know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience,
love, endurance…..”
So, when you pass
by those items adorned with that one word, pause for a moment.
Thankful.
We may have
reduced the word thankful to a decorative seasonal phrase, but let’s always
remember the power it holds. When we’re thankful we become less focused on
selfish desires and painful circumstances.
When we’re
thankful we remember that God is in control.
When we’re
thankful we are able to remember that we belong to God and we have the blessing
of abundance in that truth.
“Praise to God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” – Ephesians 1:3
Be Thankful.
-Pastor Patti
This was really good! Thanks!
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