We all know the meaning of Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims and Indians celebrating their provisions under the most difficult circumstances. Their lives were filled with harshness, famine, disease and unimaginable challenges, yet they celebrated the harvest. Do we give thanks in our most unimaginable challenges for the provisions God gives? Despite this harsh world we live in, if we know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we have all we need – the list is endless — love, comfort, peace, hope, joy, eternity, promises, etc.
I’ve been thinking a lot about those amazing provisions, gifts of our Lord. When we think about those provisions, how can we not give thanks, even in the most trying times of our lives? I think about how He speaks, He reveals, He calls, He encourages. In all life’s craziness, He is present! Where would we be without Him? How would we get through life? I know I just could not.
It occurred to me what a huge opportunity Thanksgiving Day is to bring the ultimate praise and thanksgiving to our Most Holy God by working for His harvest. We’re all going to be around family, friends, acquaintances, people we have known forever and people we have just met on Thanksgiving Day, what an amazing opportunity to work in the fields! Think about it. Taking Jesus to our Thanksgiving celebrations is the ultimate glory to our God.
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:35-38
We are the workers. We need to get busy planting seeds in our Thanksgiving Day fields. Here are some steps to getting the soils ready for planting:
Wednesday
Prepare your own heart today for tomorrow’s opportunities. Remember the prayer of Peter, John and the other believers:
And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31
Thursday
Before we attend the feasts, pray that those you come in contact with today have open ears to hear God’s Word, open eyes to see God’s Word, and open hearts to accept God’s Word.
But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
2 Corinthians 3:16
Friday and Beyond
Count your blessings! As you vow to only eat salad this day, reflect on your Thanksgiving Day. Think about the conversations. Think about the opportunities that you had to speak about God. Continue to pray for changed hearts and minds. Continue to pray that those planted seeds will flourish under the care of the Master Gardner.
Believers have been given the work to “go and make disciples.” Just imagine God’s glorious harvest and what a Thanksgiving Day that will be. Don’t you want everyone you know to be there? Then let’s get to work!