Give Thanks

Thanksgiving 2020.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18"

 I think this is the year we get to better understand the significance of the pilgrims pausing to give thanks. Like us, they had come through hard times. They had lost loved ones on the journey. They had faced disease. They were searching for religious liberty. Some were seeking prosperity and facing financial ruin. The life they knew had changed completely. It sounds and feels very familiar. Especially when you realize they weren't out of woods yet. There were still a lot of unknowns and probably hard times to come. Seems like that's where we are too.

The 1621 observance may have looked  different than the 2020, but the premise is the same. Now is the time to be thankful that God has seen us through. He has provided. He did not leave them and He will continue to be with us too.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. - Psalms 118:1"

Also consider this, Thanksgiving was a time to celebrate the harvest. It is a fact, that you harvest what you plant. (Galatians 6:7)Maybe we should use this time not only to give thanks, but to evaluate what we've been planting. Do you need to sow more seeds of hope, or love, or kindness, or faith? This time next year, what do we hope to have harvested?

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2"

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6"