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So what is new about Thanksgiving? Just saying the word starts the traditional holiday engine. When we start thinking about this day, we can almost smell the turkey and pumpkin pie in the oven.
Preparing for Thanksgiving connotes family gatherings around crowded tables, and memories mixed with the expectation of recreating another pretty holiday.
The prayers given at Thanksgiving tables are pointed directly at our blessings, our love, our gratitude for our harvests, for this life we have been given that includes so much.
But is there any room at the tables for something new for Thanksgiving when tradition has demanded the time-honored ways of celebrating?
What if, after we give thanks for what has been given to us, we also ask God how we can personally give more to the blessings of life?
This question is too deep to think about when that turkey and all the trimmings are sitting there waiting to be devoured. This could be a topic to discuss later over the pie and coffee, or with tomorrow's turkey sandwiches.
It is important, though, that sometime before Christmas shopping commences, it would behoove us to consider how to become a more giving person, rather than simply being a receiver.
The idea of personal sacrifice for the Lord includes ingredients of time and energy, two elements that are difficult to share anymore. Desire and commitment algo into the mix.
Self-denial was demonstrated by Jesus as chronicles in Mark 14. He voluntarily accepted the limitations of a human body. He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death.
With that example, we should seriously consider more ways to sacrifice some of our time and energy, may take on more desire and commitment to the Lord, and make some positive changes in out life.
Submitting to Jesus brings about obedience. Psalm 1 says those who yield to His Word, those who delight in it, will prosper in everything they do (vs. 2,3). This blessing applies to the abundant promises of God.
We can trust Jesus to help us and to bring joy and peace regardless of our circumstances. Abundance through Christ's lordship will never run out.
So, how are we to be obedient? Primarily: Use the Lord's example with the way we act, think, and speak. We obey according to what we know now, and as our relationship with Him depends, He will continue to reveal even more to us.
Full commitment takes sacrifice. We have to decide who or what will control us. The choices are ours. Will it be God, or our own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? And these choices must be reaffirmed daily, a personal sacrifice of time and energy.
Read in Joshua 24, of how the Israel tribes had to make decisions, just as we do today. Theirs were painful consequences for wrong choices. If we choose to serve the gods of this world, such as greed, power, self-gratification, or selfishness, we are worshiping those rather than the one true God.
The choices we make begin in our mind. If we allow ourselves to think thoughts not pleasing to God, it will lead to disobedience. When we commit to prayer, Bible study, worship and fellowship with other believers, the Lord helps us to obey Him.
Let us be delighted in the Lord, like the tree that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3). Let us hunger and thirst for God's Word.
Declare as Joshua did: but, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Have a new Happy Thanksgiving!
Bonnie Donnelly