This is my favorite month! For the past (almost 25) years, I grew in anticipation when my birthday drew nearer in November; now not so much, haha, but the comfort of this month has stayed. My husband’s birthday is close to mine, so we can share in the excitement when we do especially kind and considerate things for each other this month. Then, there are the brilliant and vibrant colors of autumn, the coziness of sweaters, scarves, boots, and a cute hat to complete the look. When I look out my window, I see weathered corn stalks, cows, pumpkin patches, gourds of various shades and sizes, and the peaceful descending leaves hitting the pane, to which my cats adore chasing. Autumn just reminds me of a continuous farm that I can drive by for miles and enjoy. And during harvest season, others join in the décor to heighten this country atmosphere. And of course, there is Thanksgiving, as well! The idea of gathering friends and family is simply timeless. We realize how grateful we are for one another, and verbally share our greatest blessings from the year gone by.
But, may I purpose another idea to consider? Say you are sitting at the marvelous wooden table displayed with crisp turkey, potatoes, apple cider, and pies galore. You look up from your lavish plate to share what you’re thankful for, and you see the Lord Jesus Christ sitting opposite from you. Time’s up. It is now His turn to speak. Would the Lord be able to include you in His list of blessings? We focus on what we are grateful for, which is pleasantly humble; but in return, we forget whether or not we're counted as a blessing to others, especially the Lord. Obviously we are special to Him, and He cherishes us as His sweet children despite our failures, but do we make a conscious effort to be a blessing and “give our best to the Master”♪ ?
Our responsibility does not stop with saying we love God. Genuine love is deeper, and the Savior is our greatest example. We need to learn how to love God in full. I guess the best way to measure how great a blessing you are to the Lord, would be to compare yourself to what He considers important in His Word -the Holy Bible. Here are just a few to begin with:
1. Be grateful when He meets a need, even when He doesn’t allow it as quick as we’d like. The Lord’s timing is not our own. “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:19]
2. Humbly accept when your wants are not met, or given to you in ways you did not plan. This goes with having peace during the hard times, trials, and heartache… which is something we let our pride prevent us from doing, even though it benefits us the most. God still hears us! “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” [1 John 5:14] and “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fear is not made perfect in love.” [1 John 4:18]
3. Love the brethren! A big one! How can we love God with the same heart we hate another one of His children with? Have you righted the wrongs you may have with a fellow Christian? We all get into the traps of bickering and messing up friendships, but that is not the end-all. Even if you won’t end up best friends, you have the responsibility to be at peace with Believers. This is what God commands us, and it’s not to be taken lightly as if, “God will understand if we don’t get along.” Even if you think you have nothing in common with each other, God still encourages unity, since you do have the same Father in common after all. Pray for and love them regardless. And let’s face it, we strive greatly to have a speck of Christ-likeness in us, and yet He died for us with Love. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” [1 John 4: 11] and “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” [James 3:9,10]
4. Do all things for the Lord without complaining. From picking up garbage that someone else left behind, or congratulating someone on something you wish you accomplished first; we are to have a cheerful and sincere heart in all that we do. If you don’t “feel” like doing something, then pray for the strength and drive to finish. I recently did so, and hey, it worked! “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” [1 John 5:3] and “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.” [Colossians 3:23]
5. Idols! Do you have idols in your life? And I am not referring to the statuesque kind. Idols or gods are things that take a higher priority than God in your life. Before you still reply, “Of course not!” have you skipped church due to a prior commitment, or delayed/skipped your morning Bible Time, because you just “had” to style your hair in an exact, time-consuming manner, or press that pesky snooze button? I have been guilty of these things myself! We may quickly see how much WE are our own hindrance to living right with God. Why would we sabotage ourselves so? For the same reason we need Him more and more- our sinful nature. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” [Exodus 20:3] and “O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.” [Psalms 4:2]
These are just a few, but crucial, features God requires of us. If we fail in these areas, how could we possibly be pleasing the Savior? Well, we first need to pray for forgiveness! Humble yourself before Him and ask for those sins to be forgiven, which would restore your relationship with Him anew! “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [1 John 1:9] Then to prevent those mistakes from reoccurring, ask God to give you a new, focused heart to start each day with. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” [Psalms 51:10]
I’ve heard this analogy many times, and it still hits home when repeated. “If your church was made up of a hundred of YOU, would it be a good church?” Something to ponder. Would this church please the Savior? Would Jesus Christ Himself want to visit your church? Would God consider your church a blessing?
So this Thanksgiving, please give God the glory in all that you are thankful for, but also reflect on if a list could be written about you.
"...be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." [2 Timothy 2:21]
