From the Pulpit: Thankful things

THAT is THE best thing that has happened TO all people. In this week of Thanksgiving, we spend time thinking of all the things we are thankful for. Sometimes it can be difficult to think of anything. We are thankful for those things we think of as positive things in our lives; family, friends, home, food and clothing. But what about the things that we endure; the lessons we learn from mistakes, surviving loss or strength from discipline. Are we thankful for the 10 commandments or do we see them as a burden? Are we thankful for Good Friday or is it something we want to just skip over?

If everything in your life was good and easy, would you appreciate it as much? In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul writes, “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” When things are going well in our life, we tend to credit ourselves, our hard work or our smart decisions. But when things are not going well, we are quick to be angry with God. Why would He do that to me?

This one day a year we give God credit for all the good, but what if we gave Him credit everyday for everything? What if we thanked Him for the new job but also thanked Him during the unemployment? What if we thanked Him for the new house but also thanked Him for the time we lived with others until we could afford the new house?

Living a life of thankfulness would change our perspective on everything. But living a life surrendering to the power of God is the antidote to all our anxiety spent trying to avoid Good Friday.

Good Friday is not something to be endured. Good Friday is just the beginning of the wonderful work God has done for us through His Son. Easter is what comes after Good Friday. Eternal life is what comes after life on this earth. What we experience here on earth is only what we “see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) Good Friday is the beginning of His grace. Resurrection is the fulfillment of His promise through grace. And His grace is sufficient for you. His grace is everything for you. His grace is the best gift you have ever been given and it is not limited to just one day, it is without limit. Thanks be to God!