Once a year, in the United States, many families have the tradition of coming together in one big reunion, usually around the dinner table. The Thanksgiving dinner is the time when family gathers around abundant food. In many homes, the conversation at the table may begin with the instruction to share “one thing you are thankful for.”
Sadly, for many people, the event is more tradition, and less true thanks giving. The giving of thanks is more sentimental activity than genuine expression of gratitude. It’s something that is done just once a year. And for the rest of the year gratitude is set aside.
In a blog written about a year ago, Tim Gombis points out that in Scripture “giving thanks is serious business.” He shows how a key factor of the human sin-problem that deserves divine punishment is lack of thankfulness. “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him” (Romans 1.21 NIV). This is significant because in thankfulness, one is correctly declaring that this world is “God’s world, and reckoning ourselves as recipients of God’s overpowering goodness.”
In other words, when we refuse to give thanks we are dismissing the truth that God is God. And we are claiming that our good fortune is the result of our own accomplishments. On the other hand, thankfulness keeps us properly oriented toward God and his goodness. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1.17 NIV). This leads to a posture that submits to God’s benevolent and generous authority. “Giving thanks to God helps us remember that we are in his hands. It’s a lesson in humility, a reminder of our condition” (Gombis).
Such orientation also compels us to act in a distinctly Christ-centered manner: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3.17 NIV). For the follower of Christ, thankfulness is never just a one-time event. Rather, having a thankful heart is a lifestyle. It is a mindset that encompasses all of life in all its twists and turns, moods and intentions. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5.18 NIV).
So always thank God for his wonderful gifts. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
—Keith Y. Jainga