CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
November 24, 2024
“Thanksgiving From the Heart”
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,
and I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. (Psalm 108:3-4)
Does a required day on which you “have” to be thankful rub you the wrong way? It probably does for some people, but the action of intentionally setting aside a day to express gratitude is a much-needed event, and something that is actually very good for us. The busier we get, the more hours we work, the more activities we are involved with, the less awareness we’re likely to have of the beauty around us, and the blessings showered upon us daily. And so, even on a busy day (especially kitchen-wise) it’s most appropriate that there’s a point at which we stop all the “doing,” become quiet and turn our thoughts to all that God gives us every day. Whether we’re around a bountiful table, at a hospital bedside, working an essential job, or serving those in need of a good meal and a friendly smile, every one of us receives God’s generous love and care.
Our world, our nation, even our communities, experience discord and conflict, and many are probably wondering why we should be thankful. It seems there’s some kind of nearly insurmountable problem at every turn. And yet, the words of the psalmist tell us that God’s love is higher than the heavens and his faithfulness reaches to the clouds. What an amazing picture those words paint! God’s love goes beyond the boundaries of imagination and exploration. It’s all-encompassing, and beyond our human comprehension. Remember the powerful words of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” that we sang a few weeks ago — “God’s Word forever shall abide, no thanks to foes, who fear it; for God himself fights by our side with weapons of the Spirit.” The power and strength of God’s creative Word is greater than human forces, and we are assured that God will never abandon us.
The message of love and forgiveness central to the teaching and preaching of Jesus can and should be an integral part of our Thanksgiving Day observances. It’s important and worthwhile to gather with family members, friends old and new, or to be somewhere that we can share the Good News with those who need to hear that they are equally a part of God’s family.
The Apostle Paul instructed the church in Corinth on the understanding of God’s generosity:“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Paul reminds us that we are blessed in so many ways and in such abundance that we have more than enough to share with those in need, whether they are physically hungry for a meal or are spiritually hungry for the words of love and forgiveness from Christ our Lord.
Humbled, blessed, and grateful,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers