Thanksgiving and Tragedy

Today is the day after Thanksgiving and many are busy looking for good shopping deals.  It seems that this year, more than any I can remember, the Thanksgiving Holiday was truncated or even lost through a general celebration of a Holiday season.  Of course, much of this is driven by the big retailers and the media.  Christmas items were being promoted, even before the end of October.  This year, there has been such an economic atmosphere that many more are thinking about the importance (or lack thereof) of material things in their life.  When you think about it, there is a lot more to be thankful for than the material possessions you may have…

I want to challenge you as you read to consider the spiritual things that you SHOULD be thankful for.  In fact, if you come to a point to have less material things, such as after a tragedy, you will be more inclined to consider the spiritual blessings.  This is certainly one of the blessings that can come from tragedy, if you are thinking clearly about what is actually eternal, and not merely temporal (those things we often value most).  To consider further what I am saying, think on the following verses:

2 Corinthians 4:15-18:

15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

God allows things to happen in this life (even Tragedy) to allow us to experience His Grace, share this grace with others, and help us be more thankful–especially for the spiritual and eternal things.  It is interesting, that when we get things in this right order, we will also be more thankful for the material things in life, and even more responsible with them.

Friend, are you thankful?  If so, to what or Whom are you thankful?  You cannot merely “thank your lucky stars” or some lifeless, inanimate object, or even some finite source.  If you do, you are just living your life in vain.  You must be thankful for and to the Source of all good.  Every good and perfect gift ultimately comes from God, no matter how many hands of men have been involved (see James 1:17).  If you do not know the LORD, then you must seek to know your Creator, who made Himself known to us in the historical Person of Jesus Christ.  Please look at the Gospel tab above.  Study Who this true Person of Jesus Christ is.  Take a look at the other things on this website (even the Thanksgiving Poem recently written).  Learn to be thankful, whether things are good, bad, or even ugly with tragedy.  You will find that your life will be much better if you understand these things and are in tune with your Creator.