Happy Thanksgiving!
Unity’s Fellowship Hall has been busy this week. This past Sunday Janice and Beth (along with their team) hosted a Thanksgiving meal for the whole congregation. Then on Monday, Catawba Springs Elementary brought all of their kindergarteners for their own Thanksgiving feast. A day later, on Tuesday, the Unity Preschool held their Thanksgiving meal with kids and parents.
Whew!
I love when our facilities can be so well utilized!
This week I have been reflecting on thankfulness.I’ve spent time studying a great–but challenging–text from Paul.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Sometimes when I read the Bible I think, “Did I just read that correctly?!” This is one of those times. Paul is asking us to give thanks in ALL circumstances. I can be thankful for a lot of things during a lot of times…but ALL? That’s a bit much. What about when you are fighting off a cold? Or going through a break up? Or growing discouraged by world events? Or feeling tired from a fast-paced schedule?
Give thanks in ALL circumstances?
It is here when we need to take a closer look at the text. Paul does not say to give thanks FOR all circumstances. When I get a cold, I am not thankful for that cold. But we are to give thanks IN all circumstances.
Why?
Because God is present with us regardless of the circumstances. And that is a reason to give thanks.
So as you near Thanksgiving, think of the ones you love and give thanks, always and continually, for the God that is ever present in our lives.
Enjoy the food and fellowship of this week. I pray that it will be a time of joy and renewal for you.
See you on Sunday!
-Pastor David
