As we enter November and focus on Thanksgiving, several Scriptures have been going through my mind:
- “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice” – Philippians 4:4
- “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- “Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2:6-7
Intentional Thanksgiving
Sometimes it is a challenge to be thankful: 2020 has been a difficult year. I was blessed last week by the program put together by my daughter’s piano teacher for her recital. The students played songs written early on in America’s history, and background was provided on the writer’s life and the song’s origin. Many times, the writers of the most beautiful hymns and spiritual songs had faced unimaginable tragedy in their own personal lives. Yet these very difficulties led them to write and sing and testify to God’s goodness and blessing. How could these writers be thankful?
How can we be thankful in the middle of our own difficulties and tragedies?
The apostle Paul spoke of learning to be content and trusting in God in the midst of any circumstance – in fact he wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). It is a process to become content. This doesn’t happen immediately nor does it come naturally to us. It is only through a living and personal faith in Christ that we can rejoice even in hardships. It is only in purposefully remembering God’s goodness and faithfulness (and maybe singing about it!) that we can learn to be content “whatever the circumstance”.
Pressing on together with you as we trust and thank the Lord,
Pastor Kirk