Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving day, I found myself surrounded by laughing, talking family during turkey dinner. Later, over sixty relatives gathered for dessert and a crowded evening of visiting. During this time, with all the commotion, I only sensed a vague, overall feeling of thankfulness. It wasn’t until later when I had time to sit and reflect by myself that I began to think of all the specific ways God has blessed me. His Son, my family, my friends, my health, my job, and my home are only a few of the ways.

Despite the realization that God has so richly poured out His blessings in my life, so often I find myself wanting more than I have. I know that I have all I need to be content right here and right now, as Rob Bell so eloquently reminded me in one of his messages. Yet, I sometimes find myself dissatisfied and wanting more.

If anyone deserved to want more than he had, it was the Apostle Paul. He spent many of his days in jail or under house arrest, sometimes without food or other basic necessities. I would expect to read about him lamenting the things he lacked. Rather, he wrote to the Philippians in chapter 4, verse 12: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

It’s funny, but when you really stop to think about a verse, words sometimes jump out at you. I could read the same verse a hundred times and then read it again a day later and notice something completely new. God’s Spirit does an amazing job of revealing truth to us when we need it. In this verse I caught three key words: “learned the secret”. There’s a secret to being content in any and every situation.

In verse 13, Paul continues, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Paul’s secret – and, I was soon to discover, my secret – is found in Jesus who will “strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16,17).

So I am continually in the process of praying that God would strengthen me with His power through His Spirit. I want to be content in any and every situation. No matter where God places me or what He asks of me, I want to rely on His strength and the only way to do that is through the power of His Spirit. I think it was D.L. Moody who, when questioned why he had to keep praying for the Spirit to fill him, replied, “it’s because I leak”. And we do. The only way to maintain a thankful heart is to constantly remain filled with the words and spirit of God.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18