But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 15:57
It is that time of year again. Many of us are finalizing our plans for what each person is making for the family get-together. We are searching ads to find what good deals are out there for Black Friday. And we are all dreaming of how good those stretchy pants will feel next weekend because we all know our jeans won't button again until Monday.
Thanksgiving is one of the best times of the year for many families because the holiday gives people a reason to intentionally set aside time to get together. Family members will travel from all over the country, sometimes the world, to get together and catch up on everything happening in their lives. Pair family time with the plethora of food that most of us only enjoy once a year, there is no wonder this time of year is called Thanksgiving.
However, as we gather this week, I want to ensure we pay attention to a truth that is so much more important than merely family and food: Jesus Christ. Truth be told, no matter the current season of life each of us is in, we all have a reason to be thankful this holiday season. We can celebrate that there is eternal hope in Jesus because of His victory when He gave His life for us.
After explaining to the church in Corinth that sin leads to death, Paul tells the church to give thanks for their victory in Jesus. Each of us who have put our faith in Jesus Christ should celebrate this same victory by giving thanks to God. No longer do we have to be identified by our sinful nature. No longer do we have to live in the condemnation of our failure. We are made new by the work Jesus did on the cross!
This Thanksgiving, let's all commit ourselves to being thankful for the life we get to have because Jesus chose to give us a path back into His family. Let us give thanks for the works He has already done in our lives. Let us give thanks that He promises that He has works prepared for our futures. Let us give thanks that we never again have to live separated from God.
I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving. Give thanks to the family that gathers, and honor those no longer present. Give thanks for the food and God's forgiveness as we all turn into gluttons for the day. Give thanks for those stretchy pants that comfort us as we all feel miserable and grumble about "how we ate too much." But, most importantly, let us all give thanks for the forgiveness of sins, new life, and the promise of eternity in heaven because of Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, for giving us a reason to always be thankful.