Christian Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, we all remind ourselves of the things that we are thankful for and focus on the many blessings in our lives. It’s a season to be thankful for family, friends, health, homes, and employment. Even when life seems really difficult, the possibility always exists to be thankful for something.

Specifically as Christians, we are called to be thankful. In passages such as Colossians 3:15 where Paul is writing to the church about being holy he succinctly states, “And be thankful.” Likewise, in his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul commends his readers to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thes. 5:18). Thus, we normally hear a good Thanksgiving sermon around this time of the year encouraging us as Christians to especially be thankful for all that the Lord has done for us.

However, as Christians, we are not limited to being thankful for what the Lord has done in our lives. By conquering death on the cross, Jesus has made a way for us to be thankful for what the Lord will do in our lives. This is a blessing which separates Christians from the rest of the world. We are able to praise the Lord for the Kingdom that not only has already come, but also the fullness of it which we know is coming. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: “Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28).

So this year, I am thanking God not only for the countless ways He’s blessed us, cared for us, revealed His love to us and forgiven us, but I am also thanking Him for the Kingdom that is still coming and His reign over it. I am thanking Him both for His incredible provision in my life and the blessing of family and friends as well as the many relationships I have yet to form which will be instrumental in my life. I am thankful for the freedom He has given me and for the freedom that awaits to be released on this earth. I am thankful for the promises that I’m still believing Him to fulfill as His Kingdom comes to the world.

Will you join me this Thanksgiving in praising our Father for all that is and for all that is to come? May you be blessed and filled with His peace on this, the day that He has made.