Thanksgiving - A Heart Posture
In 1863, our God-fearing President, Abraham Lincoln, declared the last Thursday in November as National Thanksgiving Day. His motivation was to heal a nation divided by the Civil War.
He also wanted the day off to watch football.
On Thanksgiving Day, we intentionally focus our thoughts on being thankful for what God has provided. The number one blessing for all of us Christians is that we are Christians. We have accepted the gift of salvation through our belief in Jesus. Along with this comes a whole Gospel of things to be grateful for.
As Christians, we fear God. We are in awe of God. We respect God. We love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We know at the deepest level that God loves us. Jesus died and is risen so that we can abide in the loving embrace of our Father.
We know who to thank for our lives and the blessings that come with them. We can also do our best to be thankful for seasons of trouble, in that they serve to strengthen our faith and make us more ready to be His bride.
A heart posture of thankfulness to God is a rock-solid foundation on which to build a life. Being thankful is being humble. It is the opposite of pride. It is praise. The idea of thanksgiving is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments. Being thankful is being obedient to our Creator.
Then there is Black Friday. A day when the world would have us focus on what we don’t have, what we want, and strive to get it. Paul teaches us a better way to pursue what we want:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:6-9 ESV)
This week, the Christian community is more focused than usual on thanking God. We thank Him for everything. For what is going well, and at the same time, praying, with thanksgiving, for the things we would like to see change. What a privilege and a gift it is to know for sure where to put our faith and who to thank.
Happy Thanksgiving.
