Why Thanksgiving

I just got done earlier finalizing and pulling together a message for the Thanksgiving Eve service tonight, where I dove very deeply into this very idea. Sure we set apart this day tomorrow to be spend some time being thankful, and you have probably heard the message a thousand times that we should be more thankful everyday. But really, when you get down to it what does Thanksgiving really mean and why it is so important.

Well, first the very word thanksgiving has a deeper meaning than just being thankful. When you study the scriptures, it starts with a thanksgiving offering back in Leviticus and evolves into a message of thankfulness for the grace that God showed to us through his son. At the core, the meaning of the word is all about giving thanks to the Lord who provided everything we have. Throughout the scriptures you can find the word scattered throughout from the beginning all the way to the end. There is a continuous call on us to be thankful.

So the very start of thanksgiving, as you can see from above starts with a thankfulness to God the Father. We pay homage to him for all that he has given us. By doing this it helps us to be humble and appreciative, realizing we really have nothing without him. I know that is a tough pill to swallow for some, but the only reason you were born and are alive today is because God allowed it, even if you despise and reject him, he still allowed you to live.

Once can come to grips with the idea that without him we are nothing. Then we realize that being thankLESS, is actually sin (Romans 1:21). Just think about yourself for a minute, forget the fact that I am referencing God or sin. Think about a time when you helped someone and they did not acknowledge what you did. How did you feel? I’m sure you were hurt, it bothered you. You might even have thrown out one of those that I like to do sometimes “YOU’RE WELCOME!!” When someone or some group does not thank us for the work we did we feel hurt, like why did I bother. Now turn it back to God. When you fail to recognize that he created you, he let you live, he provided all you have, it hurts God. He wants us to be thankful people and realize he has done so much for us. He deserves the glory for our lives.

Finally, thanksgiving makes us merry. It feels good to be thankful. Besides that fact that a good majority of Americans are going to over eat tomorrow and spend time with family and friends. The very act of being thankful makes us grateful. Try being thankful for all you have and get angry about the situation you are in. No matter what the circumstances when you realize you have so much to be thankful for, it makes your heart merry. Just focus on the blessings you have and then try to get angry. The truth is you cannot. When you focus on the thankful side of the situation, you can get past whatever troubles are before you.

Have a Happy and Wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you to those of you that read my blogs each week and those that have encouraged me to keep it up. I pray it is a blessing to you and feel free to leave a comment, what are you thankful for.