Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you get to enjoy some time off with your family and friends this week! Last week, I went searching in my concordance for “thanksgiving” scriptures to mull over, and was reminded about this section of scripture that has always baffled me:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I remember reading these verses as a wee lad in the Lord, and being so intimidated by the standard that is set here. I’ve also heard them preached in such inspiring ways, encouraging me to stir up joy, prayer, and thanksgiving in my life. What excellent things to strive for!
When I think about the possibility of rejoicing through every good and bad situation in my life, being in a constant 24/7 state of prayer, and on top of that, being thankful for everything all the time, my heart yearns for such perfection! But when I really stop to think about these states of consistent joy, prayer, and thankfulness, I can’t help but feel intimidated. I can’t be the only one that’s tried to “just be more thankful” only to get frustrated with myself at how unthankful I am. I can’t be the only one that can’t seem to “just be more joyful” when life gets crazy. Here comes the swift punch in the throat from the gospel:
Remember when that verse said, “this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”? Track with me on this: what if instead of trying to accomplish the will of God via stirring up joy, prayer, and thanksgiving, we recognize that, just as a man “wills” his estate to his family after his death, so God has “willed” joy, prayer, and thanksgiving to us as his children after his own death in Jesus Christ?
In other words, what if we stopped trying to be perfect Christians, striving toward the will of God with perfect joy, prayer, and thanksgiving, and decided to strive after God himself, and just let these things follow as natural by-products of our relationship with him?
This Thanksgiving, above all things, I’m thankful to serve a God who wills a fulfilling life to those who give up on making their lives fulfilling on their own terms.