May the Lord continually open our eyes to really see the greater work He’s doing in, through, and around us. And may He deepen our knowledge and understanding of His character everyday, so we can enjoy the sweet abundance of an intimate relationship with Him.
I love Thanksgiving. I love the fall weather, the sights and the smells…the cinnamon and pumpkin spice flavors that take over my favorite drinks at Starbucks. I love cozy sweaters and fires in the fireplace, and watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. I love the Thanksgiving day Parade and football. I love turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie…and eating all the leftovers for the next three days. I LOVE Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that seems to get passed over every year. More and more Christmas ads come out before Halloween, and people are already playing Christmas music and putting up their decorations before November even starts. It seems challenging to focus on Thanksgiving when there’s such a push to jump right to Christmas. And while Christmas is a wonderful thing to celebrate, let’s not forget the importance of stopping to celebrate all the many gifts we’ve already been given.
Maybe you read those last two paragraphs and think, “Well that must be nice for you, but the holidays aren’t exactly my favorite time of year.” Maybe you’re someone who hopes the holidays pass by quickly and wouldn’t be upset at all if we just skipped over Thanksgiving, and Christmas for that matter. Maybe the holidays remind you of some intense pain and loss you’ve experienced. You don’t want to look at that empty chair that will always be at your table now. Maybe you can’t bear the thought of being in the same room as your family because it always results in a fight. Or maybe you’re all alone this year – either circumstances don’t allow you to visit family you desperately miss, or there is simply no one left for you to gather with. Maybe these holidays remind you that you recently lost a job, had to move away from people you love, are having trouble starting a family, or are struggling to simply get through each day. You’re left thinking, “What do I possibly have to be thankful for?”
If this is you, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. There are more people than you think that struggle with that question. You see, I may love the traditions that come along with Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean that the losses and struggles I’ve experienced don’t seem extra large this time of year. How can I really be thankful for what I have when I don’t get to see my own brother this Christmas? Or when my grandfather is no longer here to say grace at Thanksgiving dinner? How can I be happy when my closest friends now live hours away? What about all the depressing news we see on TV? How can I be thankful when there’s so much pain and hatred going on? How can I possibly live out the command to, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”? 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Of course, Jesus is our perfect example of how to be thankful in all circumstances. On the night before his death, he sat down to have a meal with his disciples:
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19
The interesting about this scenario is what Jesus was giving thanks for. Jesus was fully aware that he was about to be betrayed and brutally murdered. He knew that hisbody would be a sacrifice for all sinners, and that his death would actually be the greatest gift for all those who believe in his name. In essence, Jesus was giving thanks for the circumstances by which his body (symbolized by the bread) would be brutally broken, and the glory the Father would receive by the redeeming work to be accomplished through the cross. He felt thankful to the Father for this despite his present circumstances, and the horrific pain he was about to experience.
“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”Hebrews 12:2
Jesus’s eyes were fixed on his future joy. That’s why he was able to give thanks to the Father despite having to endure the cross. He was able to take his eyes off his present circumstances, and gain a greater view of the Father’s will. He understood that his present trouble was achieving a purpose far greater than what could be presently seen.
So what does this mean for us? It means there’s hope, friends. Hope for our lives now, and in the future. It means there is real, true joy ahead of us. This holiday season, where are you looking? Are you able to look past your present pain and confusion to see the future joy promised to you? And what is the future joy promised to us? Did you know that because we are heirs with Christ, the joy set before him is the same joy set before us? (Romans 8:17).
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
This is hard! Don’t let yourself be fooled into thinking Thankfulness will just happen to you overnight. This is a process we need the Holy Spirit’s help with, and a community of people to come alongside us. But, wherever you were at on this Thanksgiving, whether today you’re coming out of a turkey-coma with family or waking up alone, I encourage you to look up. Take a deep breath, and fix your eyes on the promises of God, and the joy set before us. Because, “If the future joy Jesus promises is real and you believe him, there is no circumstance that can steal your thanksgiving” (Bloom, John. “How Can We Give Thanks in All Circumstances?”).
This blog post was inspired by http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-can-we-give-thanks-in-all-circumstances
