Thanks Living vs
Thanksgiving:
A former pastor of
a church I once was a member of said, “As Christians we should be
engaged in Thanks Living rather than just celebrating Thanksgiving.”
Those words are true.
We as Christians
have a lot to be thankful for. Death has no meaning for us. None what
so ever. We often forget that in today's busy, hurry up, stop do
this, now do that world. With that alone we should be living each day
in thanks living. The fact is, we often do not.
In 1 Corinthian,
Chapter 13, we learn love is the greatest.
Three
things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest
of these is love.
1 Cor 13:13 (NLT)
It is Christ's love
for each of us that He gave himself willing to save us. With that
said the words, thank you just do not seem to really describe it for
me.
As my walk with
Christ improves daily so does my love for the lost. Especially at
this time of the year. One Christmas not so long ago, my wife and I
sat on a bench in the middle of the mall watching the people go by.
It was sad. There was Christmas music playing. People going here and
there. We watched the clerks busy ringing up purchases non-stop. Very
few smiles we began to notice. It seem we were the only ones enjoying
the Christmas songs playing. You see, we had no money. We would like
to shop and buy gifts for our children, friends and neighbors, but we
could not. God gave us a wonderful gift that night. Such peace. While
others were caught up in stuff. We enjoyed the moment of what the
season is supposed to be like. My wife and I are still thankful for
that moment. We were the least of these and happy and thankful for
it.
Have our financial
status improved since then? No, but we are very thankful. The last
thing we need is more stuff. How many in that mall were lost? Lost
without a relationship with Christ? All of us I would say. We enjoyed
the moment but share it with no one. Did we share our love of Christ
with others that evening? No. So what good is it to be blessed with
such a gift and not share it, if not give it away to others? That is
where I stand now. Being humble is hard. Hard in a world of want. Our
needs are met. We should be grateful for that alone.
Is there any thing
wrong with success? No. If we pass by someone in need and have
nothing to offer them but prayer. Give it to them. If we have means
then we should give and help others. Often as we collect things we
stop thinking of others. Money can give you opportunities. We are
told to spend it wisely. To be good stewards of our money. Yet does
this mean we should go to the Walmarts instead of the mom and pop
stores of downtown? If we do not only the Walmarts will be left. We
may pay a higher price, but at least we know it is going to them
rather than some global corporation.
So what does it
mean, “Thanks Living.” Great question. With today's pressures, do
we really get up in the morning and praise God that we are alive?
More than likely we wake and are ready to smash the alarm clock. We
forget to look at the bigger picture. We see our own little world
rather than the world itself. When is the last time you picked up
your Bible and said, “Yes, Lord I can change the world.” The fact
is, you can.
The clerk behind
the counter who has seen over 200 people go through their line with
not one person taking the time to read their name badge and calling
them by name. That can be your first step. Give them and others a
smile. It cost you nothing yet can and will make a difference in the
lives of others. While in the parking lot or walking along the
sidewalk, give someone a smile and say hello or good day. Get copies
of the Gospel and just hand one to someone else. Just say, “Did you
get one of these.” Then tell them to have a good day. If the Holy
Spirit guides you then share your faith with them right there and
then. I know of one man who sits in the food courtyard in the mall
and reads his Bible and prays for those walking by. When you get home
take time not to just roll your garbage bin back in but your
neighbors as well. They will appreciate it. These are all acts of
Thanks Living. Try it.
Teach, Preach and
Reach.
