1 Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
Thanksgiving. I love how we devote one day out of 365 in our country to gratitude.
When I look back on this past year, so many things come to mind. I’m thankful for special times with our kids and grandkids. From a weekend at Mt. Gretna my daughter planned, to attending a local Creed concert my son was managing. The extra Public Speaking class that dropped in my lap this semester. A new hardwood floor in our family room, vacation to Asheville (before it was devastated). Answered prayer for my brother’s health. And to top it all off, we’re anticipating the birth of our first granddaughter!
Those represent only a few tangible items. I’m also grateful for other, less visible things. Areas of growth in trusting the Lord, experiencing more peace in dealing with circumstances I can’t change. And finding more of God’s presence in the little details of life. A.W. Tozer said, “The heart that is constantly overflowing with gratitude will be safe from those attacks of resentfulness and gloom that bother so many.” I’ve discovered the wisdom in those words and am overwhelmingly grateful for the joy gratitude keeps generating in my life. How it protects me from those demons of gloom.
All these instances of thankfulness, however, would not happen were it not for one undeniable source. Jesus. Above all else, I’m grateful Jesus saved me.
As Peter proclaims, Jesus’ resurrection causes us to be born again into a life of hope. He enables us to enjoy freedom and peace no matter our present circumstances. And not only that. Jesus promises us an imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance awaiting in heaven!
I think that’s enough to provoke us all toward a “constant overflow of gratitude.” But sometimes, we almost forget where we’ve come from. Maybe this Thanksgiving is a good time to remember.
So in the midst of thanking God for family, friends, turkey and Black Friday sales, I pray you pause. Remember the why behind it all. And experience an absolute overflow of gratitude.