“I thank my God in all my remeberance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of you partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ…And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,”
Philippians 1:3-6, 9 (NLT)
INTENTIONAL THANKS
You might not know it from the persistent Southern heat, but fall is upon us—college football, pumpkin-spiced everything, chili—all the things that come with it. It also means Thanksgiving is right around the corner.
Thanksgiving is a day in modern times when Americans come together to celebrate the majesty of football and turkey, two things you probably immediately thought of when considering the holiday. It also gives us an opportunity to settle down and intentionally reposition our thoughts to be grateful for the blessings we have, and to reflect on them with thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving has its roots in colonial feasts in Plymouth, and it is mentioned by George Washington, yet it did not become an official U.S. holiday until 1863, in the throes of the Civil War.
In addition to the emotional and political tumult of the war, it robbed our nation of over 620,000 souls. Those lives were lost on battlefields all over our country, including some just down the road from our church at Kennesaw Mountain.
President Abraham Lincoln was known for his oratory prowess and ability to remain thoughtful and humble even amidst the most dire of circumstances. It was Lincoln, at the urging of editor and author Sarah Josepha Hale, who sought to make the day a permanent mainstay for the country. He did so hoping to encourage a measure of unity in a war-torn nation ravaged by battle.
In the middle of a relentlessly bloody war, our 16th president believed that intentional thankfulness could be a unifying force.
This past Sunday, we discussed Philippians and focused on different aspects of thankfulness. The letter was written by the apostle Paul, a man who—like Lincoln—was intimately familiar with pain and suffering. In fact, the letter was written while he was in a Roman jail cell.
The apostle expresses thanks to the people of Philippi amidst his suffering, setting a clear example for us to follow. If our focus is on Jesus Christ and we have a gracious heart, then we can be nothing short of thankful for every breath that fills our lungs.
Paul goes on to say in verses 12–13:
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.”
In the midst of great trial, Paul helps us refocus on what matters most—doing all we do for Christ, even when imprisoned. So, whether today you face joyous sunshine or a perilous storm, do so with a grateful heart, remembering that all we do is for Christ!
Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.
