Happy Thanksgiving.
We are blessed. That isn’t just a hashtag, it’s a state of being for everyone who is in Christ. God has poured out his blessings on us (see Ephesians 1-3 for some reminders) AND we get to enjoy those in the everyday, not just the someday. Thanksgiving is a day where our culture turns their collective gaze to the blessings that have been there year round. We should be at the frontlines of those celebrating!
In it’s core principle- Expressing gratitude as a community over a shared meal is a beautiful preview of what we participate in everyday as the people of God. Expressing gratitude does not negate the groaning we experience, but gives voice to both realities!
All of our communities have rhythms of gratitude and feasting that go far beyond one day a year- but this one day can be celebrated as well- and we’ve had a lot of practice!
The Warning Label
Today marks open season for your greed, consumerism, and selfishness to be targeted by the enemy. Yes, he’s always attacking on these fronts, but this season billions more dollars are invested in his devious strategy. Whether it’s an instagram ad campaign, cleverly rigged tik tok algorithm, a substance used to escape, or a conversation with a sibling, his aim is to stir up your good desires and twist them. Decisions made these months often move us into places of debt, decreased capacity, relational strain, and addiction. Let us be wise. Let us be loving. Let us be faithful.
This isn’t a call to do more religious to offset the irrieligious. It’s a call to stay faithful in the face of a great adversary. It’s a call to rest in the reality that we are not what we own. We are beloved children who have been given resources of time, talents, and treasures and they are meant to be used as blessings towards others. The blessing is never meant to end on us!
Ephesians has taught us that it’s not a visible enemy we face, but principalities, powers, and darkness. Jesus is victorious, but maybe even more than other seasons we need to keep watch over our hearts, our wallets, and our calendars to stay faithful to our role in God’s story and live in that victory!
A Practice: We encourage you to pick your percentage of generosity before setting your gift budget for the year. This doesn’t earn God’s blessings, but is a response to it.
A Practice: Carve out a rhythm of prayer (Like This) for your days during the holiday season.