Thanksgiving is here again, and for many of us, our hearts are not ready to be thankful. Whether it is the approaching Christmas season, with all of its demands, or the overwhelming pace of our daily ministries and lives, it is sometimes difficult for church techs to reflect upon all there is for which to thank God.
In recent years, for this contributor, Thanksgiving has felt more like the initial moments of a roller coaster ride--where the speed picks up quickly in anticipation of the loops, spins and other antics that make up the ride. Within a week of Thanksgiving, we will be into December and the complexities of our responsibilities will often multiply.
Yet, we should remind ourselves to slow down enough to process ahead of Thanksgiving Day. Whether this looks like a half day of prayer and reflection, an extra half day off to be with family, journaling, or a meaningful group reflection with other staff--we need some extra effort (read: stillness) to appreciate the unique ways God has provided for us.
Following are three things I am thankful for, which I hope will be an encouragement to you this Thanksgiving.
1-I am thankful for God's saving me from my sin and [placing me] into the Church.
I know, it sounds like a "Sunday School" answer, but this reality is still amazing to me. Even though my testimony is not one of seeming to be far from God. I grew up in the church and always knew God loved me, and I know the depravity of my heart is such that God's sacrificial death on the cross seems almost incomprehensible to me. Thank you, Lord Jesus!
2-I am thankful that God has gifted me and is using those gifts for the purpose of serving the Church.
My intention is not to conceitedly praise God for making me "cool," but for making me and preparing me to fill a need in my local church. It is no accident that our gifts match the needs of the body--God designed it this way.
3-I am thankful for the journey of following Christ and serving His Bride, the Church.
While there have certainly been seasons where serving the church has been extremely difficult, I am grateful for those experiences because I can look back and see how God was growing me closer to Him through them.
I hope these areas of thankfulness in my own life will spark some of the same for you as you prepare to meaningfully participate in the one day every year we have set aside to be thankful to our God for all He is and has done.
Feel free to share some things for which you are thankful in the comments section below.
[Originally published in November 2011.]
