Thanksgiving is coming soon and there is so much preparation still to be done. Groceries to buy, miles to be driven, pies to bake, turkey to prepare and cleaning to be done – but in all of this it’s important that we don’t lose sight of why we celebrate on the 4th Thursday of November.
I’m one of those who try to image myself being in the situation; you know, I try to see what it must have been like to be with Noah on the ark, standing on the bank of the Red Sea when it parted, being with the shepherds when the angels announced Jesus birth, standing at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion. Yes, being there for all of those and then also imagining what it must have been like at that first Thanksgiving.
These people had faced devastating trials during the first year in the new world. Peril by crossing the sea that cost so many lives, disease, malnutrition, harsh weather conditions, lack of knowledge of their surroundings and perils from the inhabitants of this land. They gave all they had to make this new world their home – some lost their spouses and children to death, heartbroken they had to continue to press on or die themselves. They had to build shelters and plant gardens. Their survival that first year was truly a time to give thanks! It was their belief in worshipping God freely that brought them here and so it was an expression of their very lives to stop and thank Him for His provision and protection one year later.
I don’t really think they looked like the people in this painting. I don’t image after that first year that their clothing was this clean and bright or that their cheeks were quite this rosy and beards so well groomed. But I do image that what they may have lacked in outward appearance was overshadowed by the gratitude they felt in their hearts.
“Father, you so graciously brought those pilgrims through a year of hardship and struggle in this new land. They came with a desire to worship freely and seeking to build a land where men were equal. They willingly faced the perils of sea and land; weather and wild but they persevered with Your help and the help of their new found allies. Our hearts are grateful that because of their sacrifice we are able to call this land home.
We are also grateful that because of the sacrifice of Jesus we can call heaven home and spend eternity in Your presence. We are dependent on You and Your direction for our lives as much as those early settlers that came to Plymouth Rock. We come to our Rock, the solid rock, Christ Jesus and in Him we find life.
Our desire is to let the light of Jesus shine from us so brightly that the world may see your great love. Our prayer to You, in Jesus name.”
The Apostle Paul desired that the light of the gospel, the good news, shine through him and through us.
“We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. 6 The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. 7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8 We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. 9 In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us. 12 This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.” II Corinthians 4:5-12 CEV
Paul experienced the death of his daily needs and desires – comfort, security, safety, freedom; so that he could bring the message of new life in Christ to the world. Jesus sacrificed the desires and needs of his life to provide salvation and Paul was willing to continue to take that message around the known world.
As we finish our preparations for time with family and friends, let’s remember to do the same. When we’re tired, hungry, inconvenienced by long lines and irritable people, let’s let the light of Jesus shine through us to bring the power of God to others. In us is the light of God wanting to shine for all the world to see!