Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/75

Contributor - John Voss

Title - Meditation

Topic - Thanksgiving

Be Thankful unto Him

The celebration of Thanksgiving began when the Pilgrim Fathers wanted their children to remember the sacrifice, suffering and hardship that was endured by the first settlers. Thanksgiving day is also set aside to -express gratitude for the bountiful harvest. Today, as then, the spirit of thanksgiving within us has two sources: endurance of hardship and being blessed in many ways.

Many of us have never seen real hardship. We have never been truly hungry, suffered, or had to face the reality of great loss or death. We can only appreciate these parts of human existence through pictures we see, stories we hear, or taking the time to witness the lives of our neighbours. But to be truly thankful for what we are and what we have, we must get in touch with the loss, suffering, and death that is around us every day. But many others of us have endured great hardships, suffered loss, or faced death. It is when we witness the lives of those who have endured that we witness a true spirit of praise and thanksgiving. The lives and words of these people reflect a deep gratitude for whatever they have and the highest value on the most fundamental parts of human existence. These persons know that it is a blessing to be free, to walk, to eat, to work, to talk - to be alive. Isn't it amazing how the words "you have cancer", or "you have -a weak heart", or "I'm sorry, your job is gone", can change our priorities and redirect our lives. Suddenly we become more aware of the blessings we had and still have.

Once we are able to see the possible loss and the fragile nature of our existence, we become more aware of the bountiful life we do have. In fact, many things in our lives which are pure luxuries have come to be assumed and we act as though we can't live without them. We live in a land of plenty, of freedom, and relative security. We have more energy and protein than most countries in the world. If we compare our standard and style of life with many other lands, we should be moved to share and also examine our own lives in terms of the priorities we set and the waste our culture creates.

All of us have worked very hard to get what we have to call our own. But only a fool would stand back and look at his children, his house, his crops, his land, and say, "I did this all by myself". Anyone that works and does his best should certainly take pride in his product, but must also be thankful for the strength to do it, that which others did before him, and what others are doing for him now. No one is an island or doesn't depend on others for what he is or what he is able to do.

For the Christian, thanksgiving goes beyond the humanistic view of our existence. Thanksgiving also goes beyond a celebration for one day each year. Christians understand their dependence on other men but believe that they depend, first of all, on God. As Children of God we believe that all we are and do is a gift of God and remains under his control. It is the natural response of Children of God to show Him praise and thanksgiving.

The theme of praise and thanksgiving is to be found throughout scriptures. In both the Old and New Testaments, we see the Children of God looking at their past and present, their suffering and joy, and finding reason for praise and thanksgiving. This is because of their absolute belief that all history is God's history. Because of a belief in God as the giver and director of all life, the Christian life becomes one of response to God's love. We give because He gave. We love because He loved. We follow because He forgave. We share the message of his love because He came to us in Christ.

Thanksgiving is a way of life for the Christian in all we say or do. We are thankful for what others have done and suffered before us. We know how to say "thank you" to those around us. We know that what we are and what we have is a gift of God. Above all, we know the source of our life and salvation.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness, come before his presence with singing. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Ps. 100 1, 4, 5)

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