Being Joyfully Content
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Philippians 4. (NIV)
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I am eternally thankful for all God’s blessings, regardless of my circumstances because I know God is the great provider and bestows His grace and blessings on us all according to His purpose.” Philippians 4. (NIV)
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” “Nothing is impossible for God”. Philippians 4. (NIV)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things”. Philippians 4. (NIV)
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4. (NIV)
A Resilient America
America is preparing to celebrate our national holiday, Thanksgiving Day, later this week. It goes without saying that this year has been one of the most “remarkable” (I didn’t want to continue overusing the word – unprecedented) years in the past century.
And despite all of the health warnings and precautions to apply in accordance with the CDC and other government groups, most of us will work diligently and responsibly to continue celebrating this annual event nearly the same way and with the same traditions that we have always done. I too will continue to make my Grandma’s “fried apple pies” on Thanksgiving morning for everyone to enjoy. That’s one of my family traditions.
A Thankful America
As Americans, we are choosing to not cancel Thanksgiving despite all of the challenges imposed. For Thanksgiving is much more than having a fine turkey (or roast beef, or lobster, etc.) dinner, with all the trimmings. Thanksgiving is one day as a Nation that we all pause to offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to almighty God for all His blessings this past year.
Being thankful actually comes from deep within our psyche, our hearts and souls, and is manifested in our outward actions. It is the driving force for wanting to gather with loves ones or strangers, to share a common bond of thankfulness for our circumstances; we are alive and can sing praises to God, whether we are “living in plenty or in want”. I’m sure God is pleased to hear our prayers of gratitude for all He’s done for us.
I dare say, this is NOT a political statement and in no way am I trying to politicize how each of us will observe this national celebration. But more importantly, I believe the bottom line here is that most Americans WANT to give thanks to almighty God for their blessings as we’ve always done. We are desperate to have some level of normalcy that we can hold on to even for a just a few moments during these “remarkable” times.
Americans want to share their feelings of being blessed in the comfort of being near (at least 6 feet apart) those they love, sharing a meal together (with intermittent removal of their masks), and cleaning our hands and everything else, before and after the meal, with sanitizer. Americans are a resilient people. Through the grace of God, we somehow always figure out how to improvise, adapt, and overcome any challenge to our well-being or livelihood.
Thankful for this Remarkable Year
We can also be thankful for the ways we’ve overcome the many challenges, disasters, heartbreaks, illness and death experienced during this remarkable year. Despite the record downturn of the financial markets, record number of business closures, the record unemployment, the record number of wildfires and millions of acres of land, homes, and lives destroyed; the record number of named hurricanes/tropical storms reeking havoc across North and Central America, we are not a defeated people; God has sustained us throughout.
Although we continue to witness an increase in the record number of people infected and killed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with no end in sight, several pharmaceutical companies have set a record for the creation, testing, and approval of several vaccines to stop the spread of COVID-19. With God’s help, we will overcome this pandemic.
Even though the level of hate, wickedness, and violence has been at its highest in many decades, we’ve seen a record number of people peacefully protesting and demonstrating, with their outpouring of cries for justice and peace echoing throughout our cities and towns. We have persevered and march on for peace and justice.
Despite the threats to our democracy, our Nation has set a record for the number of votes cast in this year’s general election to reflect the will of the people in supporting our democratic processes.
On a positive note, records have been set for the stock market resurging to make up the losses from earlier this year. We have a record setting housing market and new jobs are being created to accommodate the new ways of doing business. We are all witnesses to how intelligence, ingenuity, and courageous levels of faith and dedication to doing the right thing regardless of the circumstances are helping us overcome this year’s unprecedented challenges. Never before in our history have so many owed so much to so few.
Focusing on God, the Great Provider
I pray that as this “remarkable” year comes to a close with the start of the holiday season this week, we all will refocus our attention on God, not on our individual circumstances. That we take the time to be thankful for all God’s provisions in our daily lives and turn away from the deluge of information bombarding our minds to where we are numb to what’s most important. Trusting in God and surrendering our will to listen to His guidance for our lives is the best way we can resolve our differences, and enable our Nation to live in peace.
May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May God bless you with His peace this Thanksgiving Day and throughout the holiday season.
Live, Learn, and Grow in Jesus!!
Blessing,
Jerry
