Thanks For Giving
We are once again upon the holiday season and more specifically, that time of year when we focus on being thankful, Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time of reflection, a time where we reflect over the year that is coming to an end (the good, the bad, and the ugly). It is a time when we are thankful for our family, dear friends (old and new), the progress and successes in our careers, the healing of our bodies and that of those whom we love. We're grateful for the roof over our heads, the provision of food in our pantries, and all that we have. We're grateful for how we made it through the difficult times and experiences during the course of the year. We're grateful for the many blessings in our lives and the new additions to our families.
One of my nephews, when he was a little boy, was so excited about the smell of holiday food in the house one Thanksgiving that he asked, "is it thanks for giving." He could not say Thanksgiving, but we all understood what he meant as we chuckled. And as we are entering this season of Thanksgiving, I find myself thinking about this profound question asked by my nephew although he was not trying to be profound when he asked it many years ago. The truth of the matter is that this holiday of Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for giving. It is a time to give God thanks for giving unto us all year long. While we should not limit our giving thanks to just this one time of year, it is good to have a concentrated time that calls our attention into focus on truly giving thanks to the one who watches over and takes care of us every day of our lives all year long, God.
There are numerous scriptures on being thankful, but one that stands out the most to me is I Thessalonians 5:18 that says, "Be thankful in all circumstances, For this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." [NLT]. What does this mean? It is God's will that we be a people of gratitude who give thanks to God in every circumstance that we go through in life. Some wander how they can do this because there are some circumstances that are troublesome, burdensome, trying, and almost unbearable. The key to being able to be grateful or thankful to God in these circumstances is knowing that God is the one who gives the authority to these circumstances in our lives. Everything that comes against us and every circumstance that we experience has to get authority from God to enter our lives (remember Job - Job 1:12 & 2:6). The truth of the matter is that even when we experience difficult situations we can see God's hand of mercy upon us and His strength stands up in us when we are too weak to stand for ourselves. That's enough to give God thanks. If we all would take a moment to intentionally have a flashback to these difficult situations & circumstances in our lives we can all see where God extended to us grace, mercy, and strength and we can see where we owe God sincere thanks.
Ingratitude is one of the most understated sins there is and it leads to idolatry as we see in Romans 1:21. When the people of God took God for granted failing to give Him thanks they became vain and foolish and began to erect false, ungodly images to replace the image and glory of God and further launched out into a cesspool of sin & unrighteousness. Many subtly fall into the trap of ingratitude taking God for granted forsaking to give Him thanks. Let me caution you against this, but if you don't believe me, look at the testimony of them who fell into that trap in Rom. 1:21-32.
So, as we enjoy this time of Thanksgiving and all that it represents to us let us truly embody the true spirit of Thanksgiving by giving God "Thanks For Giving" today and every day. Give Him Thanks For Giving salvation, deliverance, healing, joy, peace, strength, wisdom, Power, love, confidence, faith, patience, self control, and the many, many blessings along the way. May you and your families be blessed with the presence of God this holiday season and may your heart be overflowing with thanksgiving towards God.
- Dr. DeShonda Bailey