Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving


Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalm 106:1, NIV).

It's Thanksgiving Day again, friends and family across America will gather around beautifully decorated tables filled with warm, scrumptious food to give thanks. Many people will be experiencing personal problems today like ----the lonely but committed soldiers covered in the dust of battle will patrol foreign borders, fighting for our freedom while their families back home long for word of their safety. The homeless will make their way to the nearest soup kitchen, hoping for a warm meal and a smiling face as so many celebrate this day of abundance. An empty place at the table will be a painful reminder of the loved one lost not long ago. A worried husband and dad will sit at the head of the table, wondering how he is going to tell his family that he just lost his job. The list of wounded hearts and unmet needs is endless.
We all tend to convince ourselves that life will be better when we have more money, when we find the right spouse, when we get the kids raised or move into the right house. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a fancier car, when we get a promotion, when we are able to go on our dream vacation or when we can retire. We keep trying to find joy, contentment and peace in lifeless places and things.
BUT ------- Jesus Christ is life. He is joy and love, and He took our place on the cross. That's why we can give thanks when it seems as if there is nothing for which to be thankful.
Yes, we live in a broken world and life is filled with pain, challenges, dark times and trials, but today can still be a day of thanksgiving and praise because praise and thanksgiving have little to do with the Thanksgiving holiday and everything to do with our inner attitude toward God. It really doesn't matter how much we lose here, my friend. I have read the Book and we win … for all of eternity! We just need to take the time to remember … and give thanks.