When we look at the vast expanse of the universe, the
myriads of stars, the earth within it which is exactly placed in it to shelter
living creatures, the minute detail of cellular, atomic, subatomic existence,
the fragile complexity of the human body, any person might feel awe, wonder, or
curiosity.
But for thanksgiving one needs more than that. For
thanksgiving, one needs to add a phrase which is not immediately evident: ‘For
me.’
Certainly it would be utterly ridiculous to presume that
I am the center of the universe. But Christians believe that all of this is a
gift, a gift from God, and one of the
intended recipients is ‘me.’ ‘Us’ as human beings, and ‘me’ as an individual.
It is not presumptuous to think so, if we think of ourselves as intended by
God.
It is because of this that believers can look at the
world, at all things, and feel not only awe and wonder but thankfulness. And we
express our thankfulness in song, in prayer, in word, in action.
I believe that God
has created me together with all creatures. God has given me and still
preserves my body and soul; eyes, ears, and all limbs and senses; reason and
all mental faculties. In addition, God daily and abundantly provides shoes and
clothing, food and drink, house and farm, spouse and children, fields,
livestock and all property, along with all the necessities and nourishment for
this body and life. God protects me against all danger and preserves me from
all evil. And all this is done out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and
mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine at all! I therefore owe it to
God to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.
One of the most ancient ways for humankind to give thanks
is by feasting. To feast is to receive with gladness that which has been given.
It is done not alone but with others, because we never receive anything simply
for ourselves alone.
To feast with God in mind, to feast believing that it is
his pure, fatherly, goodness and mercy that has not only given the meal but
everything leading up to it that has preserved us and protected us from last
Thanksgiving to this, to feast like this is more than mere consumption, but is
right feasting: is praise and rededication. It is what the Israelites were to
do when bringing the first-fruits of the land. They were to remember who they
were and whose they were.
So on our national feast, however our fellow citizens
honor the day, we as Christians are to remember who we are and whose we are. We
are Jesus Christ’s, in life and in death. And whether or not the next year
brings prosperity, we feast in thanks, for we have his promise that he will be
with us not only in good times, but in bad. Perhaps we will give thanks, not
for good health and prosperity, but simply because his Word sustains us in
adversity and hardship. And yet can this not be a greater thanksgiving? For
Jesus came to dwell with us and will not abandon us if we do not prosper.
I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, and I pray that when you
feast, you take time to remember who you are and whose you are, and receive the
gifts of the world with gladness, because God means them for you. Amen
