It seems pretty challenging to me to give thanks “in everything” when Covid, social distancing, and masks are still around. Many have or are losing their jobs, and political opinions are so volatile. So how about these Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” All three of these scriptures from the Apostle Paul seem more challenging to me since they seem pretty far out of reach! Oh yes, as I am writing this Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow!
The translators try to soften the expectations a little by putting italics around a few words in Colossians 4:16: “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Ok, so we can at least have an attitude of thanksgiving which is going to be the opposite of grumbling like Israel did in 1st Corinthians 10. However, how do I give thanks in everything when there are so many things around me that I am not thankful for?
In Luke 22:;19 in the upper room, Jesus was explaining the New Covenant: “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks…. The Greek word for thanks is eucharisteo and the root word is grace, charis, which also means chara meaning joy. He was getting ready to go to the cross, so his joy was not the circumstances he was in. He was thankful for the joy set before him…his future grace that he looked forward to. Jesus looked at his future joy that was promised to him by completing the covenant he made with God.
Paul declares in Ephesians 2:8: “for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Rejoice, give freely, bestow favor, give thanks, show gratitude; these meanings come from grace, charis. This is the word for joy. Even the eucharist is a celebration of joy of gratitude and thanksgiving. God’s interaction with us is a cause for joy! For Paul, the culmination of God’s complete delight in creation is the cross. Christ’s suffering was a paradigm of heavenly joy. Why? Because the cross was the final step in God’s plan to redeem His entire creation.
When I am challenged regarding my circumstances, I am reminded of the cross; the symbol of my celebration. No issue I have can take away the joy that God rescued me. I am in covenant with him and he never lets go of me. This covenant is full of God’s grace. He wants intimacy with me regardless of what I have done. I want to walk with him where prayer and thanksgiving is natural, because of what he has done; and his current and future promises are exciting to watch them unfold. It does not mean that my emotions are always feeling thankful. But just knowing my God is good, faithful, loving, full of grace and mercy, and trustworthy; I can grow in thanksgiving by looking to the future, remembering the cross. In addition, I can enjoy connecting to the Spirit of God within me, who gives me all of himself and his love. So, in everything give thanks!
In His Covenant Love,
