Now this is worth thinking about: if we’re Christians, why should Thanksgiving be that much different from any other day? Turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, sure. But should we be any less grateful the other 364 days of the year than we are on the fourth Thursday of November? Given all that we know about the holiness of God, His just wrath for sin, and the rescue provided to us in Jesus Christ, we should be the most thankful of people, and thankful all the time.

Here is what we find in Scripture:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

My father-in-law has an “every-day-alike” policy when it comes to holidays–it’s not that he tones down his expressiveness on Thanksgiving; rather, he is careful to be as grateful to God every day of the year as he is on Thanksgiving. (This applies to other holidays, too! We’re grateful for the incarnation every day, not just Christmas, amazed by the death and resurrection of our Savior every day, not just Easter, and so on.)

This is simply a humble way to live. In his book, Humility, CJ quotes Michael Ramsey: “Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow.” CJ goes on to explain, “We also want to continue throughout the day expressing gratefulness for the innumerable manifestations of God’s grace. It’s as if God is placing sticky-notes in our lives as daily reminders of His presence and provision.

Here’s a resolution you don’t need to wait for New Year’s for: let’s resolve to be as grateful today, and every day, as we were on Thanksgiving Day.

Categories: five15 blog