A Declaration of Thanksgiving

Today we live in a world which can tempt us to despair, fear, or apathy. Our comparative wealth creates an environment rife with materialism, and our freedoms (long held and for which most of us did not personally have to fight) permit disinterestedness in all but our immediate surroundings. If we have been prone to looking down at our feet as we shuffle along through life, it may feel overwhelming to raise our eyes and start looking around. Perhaps we feel too grieved by the pain and suffering in the world. We fear for ungodly influences on our children. No future leader could possibly find a way to heal the rift in our nation between liberals and conservatives, so we all may feel anxiety over future changes.

As we try to stem the ugly feeling of uselessness which inevitably arises with these fears, the tempting solution is to simply look down again. Just keep our eyes on our feet and shuffle along. But isn't that just giving fear the power to control our lives by guiding our reactions? Why not, instead, lift up our eyes all the way to Jesus, the founder and protector of our faith? Will it really make a difference in how we feel? Could it actually change our response to everything? Listen to how it taught the author of Hebrews to think about life...

"Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted... It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled...".

I was challenged this week by a mentor to write a declaration of thanksgiving. This is how it came out! This Independence Day, I challenge each of us to take time to thank God for 3 things:

1.) What we see in our own immediate life, whether pain or pleasure, because it brings an opportunity for holiness
2.) What we see in the world around us, whether peaceful or painful, because God who is perfectly good is on His throne and can be trusted
3.) Who we see when we look up - because it reminds us that He is actually what we should see in us and surrounding us.

Today is a day to be thankful. Beyond any fear, any pain, any circumstance, we see Christ and so we are grateful. The fear, pain, and circumstances may not go away, at least not right away, but you will be looking at The Way.

As you celebrate this national holiday with your family, why not take a moment to give thanks for these 3 things together?

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