Greetings to you in the name of “the Light of the World”, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a beautiful autumn morning in the Kingdom…and it is going to get better as the day unfolds. I trust that you had a great weekend and Monday – sad to see September go away but excited about a new month with all of the changes and opportunities it brings. I will be praying for you today, asking Father to – create within you a new heart and renew a fresh spirit!
As this is “pre-Thanksgiving” week for us, I think it would be a good thing to ‘ponder anew’ what God has done and is doing in our lives. I have a sense that it is very important to “hit the pause” button in our personal world and take a look around at how blessed we are. Yes, I know that there are problems and challenges and struggles in all of our lives right now but remember this – God is with you.He will never forsake you…on good days, bad days, and extremely horrible days. Right now in the Jewish faith tradition it is Rosh Hashanah – New Year or Head of the Year…that ends at sundown today. This is the beginning of the Days of Awe – a time when God is balancing the book of our lives, good versus bad, and so there is celebration with reflection and worship as people seek God’s forgiveness. Next Wednesday it will be the holiest day of the year – Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement.
Oddly enough, Thanksgiving in similar fashion was traditionally a time for balancing the books of the past season of our planting-growing-harvesting. Often a time of celebration and worship as we saw how God had blessed…even when things did not go as well as we expected. One of the crucial aspects of Thanksgiving time is the gathering together of families and friends to share the blessings of life. It is always important to surround ourselves with people who speak words of life and thanksgiving over our lives. Of course, when life has not be as good as we wished, it is a good thing to share with others who will affirm that you are not alone and you are not the only one going through these challenges. The key phrase here is … “going through” – not “staying in”!
So let me challenge you this morning to get in a “Thanksgiving” mind-set…create a proper perspective. For the most part this is a two-step process. First, remember you are part of a family or community so include others as much as you can…listen to advice and counsel, as well as share the same with others in an affirming way. Second, journal…write it down, and not just the details but the emotions and thoughts that fuel your life’s daily moments. I have a belief that we can experience a powerful Thanksgiving for ourselves…that will have a profound effect on other people.
Something to think about…be blessed!