"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18-- NIV)
"Always-- continually--in all circumstances....This is God's will...." These words do not consider special days. They consider a special relationship. That relationship is with and in Jesus Christ. Special days are primarily for religious people to feel good that they are doing something nice and religious. I have always enjoyed Thanksgiving Day, the time with family, the great food. But you and I were never intended to be special "day" people. We are called to be, "always" and "continually" and "in all circumstances" people.
Tomorrow is America's "Thanksgiving Day." It was finally declared as a regular observance by the great American President, Abraham Lincoln, and it's declaration came right in the middle of the War Between the States (Civil War). How appropriate to our text. Perhaps many were saying in 1863, "Give thanks for what?" But Black Americans in particular tomorrow should offer a hearty Thanksgiving for the thousands of men who gave their lives fighting to rid America of slavery. We should all give thanks for the succeeding 100+ years struggle of both Blacks and Whites to rid water fountains and restaurants of the disgraceful and shameful, "Whites Only," signs. I suggest that most have never thought of such a "Thanksgiving."
Tomorrow as you give thanks with family and perhaps others, just take a moment to reflect. If you do, thanksgiving will have no difficulty in coming.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that I will "always" and "continually" and "in all circumstances" thank You. Amen.
When in 1910, Peter Torjesen, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
