Chuck Bridges Blog

The Bible is very clear concerning the “role” of Thanksgiving in the life of a Christ-Follower.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Notice that we are not instructed to be thankful FOR everything that happens to us! There are situations in all of our lives that we are not thankful FOR. But, we can be thankful “IN” every situation that we are forced to deal with. In this light, we see that “THANKSGIVING” is more about WHO WE ARE than WHAT WE DO!

Here are some things I am Thankful For… (these are not ordered by importance)

• YOU
• My family
• Yesterday’s rain
• The great outdoors
• God’s Grace that has been applied to my life over and over…
• A great church family
• etc.

Well, as you can see, when we really stop to GIVE THANKS the list could go on and on and on… I think I can see why God instructs us to BE THANKFUL — it sheds a whole new light on my immediate ’stuff.’ The ‘power of now’ is fueled by the promise of “NOT YET!” My discipline to BE THANKFUL somehow transcends the immediate with a glimpse of what God has prepared for me (John 14:3). Then, with a fresh perspective and a THANKFUL ATTITUDE (you know, the old “Attitude of Gratitude” saying!) I can maximize the NOW God has entrusted to me.

Let this season be a clear reminder to us all of the power of THANKSGIVING! It may be a National Holiday with great historical significance BUT, for the Follower of Christ, it is so much more — it is our lifeline to God. “ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE; GIVE THANKS TO HIM AND PRAISE HIS NAME.” (Psalm 100:4)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!