Thanksgiving: A Reminder to Rejoice in the Lord Always

Reading the news headlines each day can easily raise a person’s blood pressure.  We live in a society of high anxiety, worry and unknowns.  We ultimately do not know what tomorrow brings and can easily focus on the worries and unknowns in our lives.  November is a time when the Liturgical year, also known as church year, is coming to an end and across the country people celebrate “Thanksgiving.”  Think of all the ends you encounter—ends of sports seasons, ends of visits with friends, ends of life; people are often full of gratitude and thankfulness for the people who have impacted their lives.  Usually when something is nearing the end we find our hearts pouring out in gratitude, so the fact that the church year ends at the time of Thanksgiving is quite natural.  Ultimately, the church year is ending and we take time to remember all that we are thankful for.  What if humanity embodied a life of “Giving Thanks” all year long instead of at the end of something?  God calls us to rejoice and give thanks all year long. 

In the book of Philippians, Paul reminds us to rejoice in the Lord and give thanks, no matter what.  We must remember that Paul wrote this from prison—which I am sure was not a pleasant place.  Growing up as a child in the church, we would sing a little song in Sunday school, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice! (repeat).”  As a child this song became a familiar tune to sing over and over and if we were lucky, we would sing special music in church.  As an adult, this song is something to be modeled to all those around us, if children and youth are to learn what “rejoicing in the Lord always” means, adults must live this, not some days, but each and every day.  This catchy children’s song is not just something to sing but a life to live.

“⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

May you find the strength to reflect the light of Christ into all parts of this world—may you rejoice in the Lord, not just sometimes, but all the time.  We are not called to only be thankful and offer gratitude when something is nearing the end, but we are called to rejoice and be thankful always.  May this Scripture be true to your life and part of who you are—as you are a child of God.  For God calls you to rejoice in both the joys and challenges of life.

PONDER THIS
How does your family celebrate Thanksgiving?  What are you thankful for? 

Do you find yourself thankful for joys and challenges?  Why or why not?

What does it mean to “rejoice in the Lord always”? 

Re-read Philippians 4:4-7 (and highlight in your Bible)—how does this call us to live in this world? 

PRAYER-Based on Psalm 100 by Noel Kahl

God of Life,
We come before you to shout for joy in this place you have called us to be.  We come to worship you with cheerful hearts—singing songs of praise throughout the joys and challenges we face.  We know that you are God—you created us and we are your people.  We come in your presence with thankfulness and praise.  You are the Lord and your love and faithfulness endure forever.  Give us the strength to reflect your light in this world.  We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen