More than Thanksgiving

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I extol you. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. - Psalm 118: 24, 28-29

Thanksgiving has come again, well Canadian Thanksgiving that is (if you'd like to know more about our Thanksgiving check out last year's post). Second year in a row that I have been in the United States. It's so odd, having all my friends back home on break, my family camping, everyone celebrating ...except me. Yet, it is still a day for thanksgiving. I mean really, "this is the day which the Lord has made"!!! No matter where I am and what day it is, God has made this day, He has brought the sun up over the horizon, He has given me another breath and I can "rejoice and be glad in it"!

At church we are going through a James McDonald series on attitudes and I found it ironic that yesterday was about contentment, in contrast to covetousness. It applied so perfectly to thanksgiving! He defined contentment as "satisfaction in God's sufficient provision; trust in what one has and seeking nothing more". It was really challenging to look at life that way. To realize that God has given me everything that I need and not only should I be thankful, but content. I think we can sometimes give thanks but yet still have a list of things we are waiting for, aiming for or dissatisfied with. We are grateful for what we have but we aren't content with it. 1 Timothy 6:7 points out that we can take nothing out of this world so why do we place so much emphasis on it!?!? This passage not only teaches us not to love the things of this world, but also points us to eternity. Think about it! The short time we have on earth (as James says,just a vapour (4:14)), is not a time for us to just get as much as possible out of it. We aren't here to store up treasures! Seriously, I tell myself, let enough be ENOUGH. Moreover, do I truly believe that God is enough? that He is my all in all? because then, truly I should be content.

And so I challenge all of you, along with myself, to not just give thanks but to be content. If you find yourself discontent, realize that God can change your attitude. Seek contentment, pray for it. Know that you do have enough in what He has provided - say it "I have enough". And give thanks today for "He is good [and] His lovingkindness is everlasting".