Thankful
As Thanksgiving day is approaching a lot of people being able to reflect on the year and what we are thankful for. Well for most of us this year has looked a lot different. While many of us I’m sure started out with big New Year’s resolutions, most things were brought to a halt with COVID-19.
A paradigm shift had to occur and whether you accepted it, reality and night life did not stop. We adjusted our lives to a new rhythm of being at home. This was not easy for most. The vacation feeling that came with staying home was quickly swept away by the reality that this virus was not going anywhere quickly. As things began to open, it was not back to what our “normal” was. Now, depending where you live, you might be at a place where shutdowns are reoccurring. In the midst of it all, it can be hard to identify anything to be thankful for. In these uncertain times it helps me if I see how others persevered. The Bible is full of stories of people who have suffered unfathomable loss. If you look at the story of Job you will see a man who was faithful to God and loved the Lord. Because of his faithfulness to the Lord the devil targeted him to see if he could get his faith to waiver. He caused him to be physically ill with boils, he lost his children, his house burnt down, and all his livestock were lost, along with his wealth. I cannot imagine all of this taken from him. Yet he still was thankful.
Or if we look at Paul. A man who was imprisoned multiple times, beaten, alone and then befriended, but then alone again. He states in Philippians 4:10-13, “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” What a humbling proclamation, coming from a man who has lived everything he is speaking about.
Another example would be Esther. A woman that is a Jew. Taken from her Uncle Mordachi, to live amongst women of many cultures, at the palace, to possibly be chosen to be given to a King who she has no interest in and who, as far as she knows, wants to persecute her people. Yet she humbles herself. She fasts and prays and trusts God’s plan that she was placed in this position to save her people. She does not sit around and think of all the things she wished she had, she takes action and evaluates her situation and prays to honor God by being brave.
Friends, there are so many examples of adversity in the Bible, but a common thread in every story is that each person ends up pursing, asking, begging to follow the will of the Lord. When this happens, joy comes. The outcome maybe different, but we can be Thankful that we have a God that is constantly faithful, always pursuing us, and never changing. In the midst of all that is going on, I am most thankful for that.