Heading into the Thanksgiving Holiday, we are now 90% of the way through 2020. Phew, what a year it has been! This year has notably included an added day, a global pandemic, social unrest, social distancing and quarantine, a Presidential election and so much more. With all that has happened it is easy to be overwhelmed, feel defeated and see individuals as the enemy.
But the word of God reminds us that regardless of what we are going through, we are called to be people of thanksgiving.
1 Thess. 5:15 NLT
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Thanksgiving and gratitude bind us to the workings of God.
Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Each of us as members of Christ’s body have been called to peace with each other in Him. We have a common message for which we are called to be thankful. No matter what this year has looked like, no matter the things that divide us, Christ and His working bind us together. Especially in a year such as 2020 has been, may we come back and practice what Paul called the church in Colossae to:
Sing to God with gratitude…
Do everything in the name of the Lord…
Do everything while giving thanks to God the Father.
As 2020 comes to a close, may we allow His peace to rule in our hearts as we together are thankful for who God is, for what He has already done and for what He will continue to do in and through us.