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Written by Aaron Sparks
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Sunday, 30 November 2008 14:04 |
I was thinking about how it’s a shame we only celebrate Thanksgiving once a year. The act of giving thanks should happen every moment of everyday. So why is it we don’t have Thanksgiving everyday? Well, I believe I’d get tired of Turkey and leftovers after a while, in spite of the deliciousness of John Crump’s smoked ham and turkey. Plus, the tryptophan in the Turkey would make us all want naps in the afternoon everyday.
It’s funny how we think we can gain happiness from things. Things we buy, or can try to obtain. But inevitably, whether in a week, 2 weeks, or a month that happiness goes away. Joy is the only lasting happiness we can find that is outside situations. Paul says...
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1Th. 5:16-18
Not being content with what we already have can rob us of our joy. I going to make a stretch here and say, “If we were truly thankful for everything we already have, we wouldn’t be in want for anything else. What’s the secret to contentment and everlasting joy? Being thankful for what God has already blesed you with.” and you can quote me on that... I did! I know David touched on this in his sermon a little bit on Sunday, but I’m sure he doesn’t mind me borrowing from him (see front of Church newsletter). To paraphrase liberally what Dan Wood said (yes, I’m borrowing from him too), It would put us to shame if we just took the time to look at the blessings God has already given us.
Isn’t it ironic how Christmas is only a month away from Thanksgiving? We spend a day being thankful for the things we have and then the very next day, for a whole month, we begun to wish for things we don’t have and convince ourselves we won’t be happy until we have a certain cell phone, a particular music player, or a specified game console. What happened to being thankful?
And since when has Christmas become the Holiday of Getting? Instead of taking the time to give to those in need, we conspire how we can persuade our parents and grandparents to get us exactly what we have been seduced by expensive marketing to necessitate.
“In these troubled times” (as we’ve been frequently told), maybe we should stand back and look at the blessings we already have been given and look to how we can bless others. Let’s not just say how thankful we are, but take some action to show your thankfulness to God and... aim to do it every single day of the year, without the Turkey dinner. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 05 December 2008 14:06 )
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