It is thanksgiving time. There is much for which to give thanks. Whether rich or poor, the people of God always have room for thanks. Whether it is health; ability to praise God; gratitude for the stuff, however meager, we possess; family; love; particular good fortune; or just the ability to “move and breathe and have our being.” There is more than enough room to be thankful. Often when I say that, I will have people challenge me with something on the order of, “but there are people around the world who have nothing.” My response is generally, “I know! I have met them. In fact, I have them in mind when I talk about thanksgiving.” You see, sometimes when I think of the art and act of giving thanks, the poorest are the ones that inspire me the most. They come up with things for which they are thankful that I generally blow right by. Every crumb is an act of grace. Every relationship is a pot of gold. Every day is a milestone of mercy. Every miracle is an oasis in the desert.
You see, thankfulness is core to the faithful. Actually, it is core to faith not just the faithful. Faith actually produces thanksgiving. After all, “faith is assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:1). That means that through faith we are not only grateful for gifts long since passed, but gifts that are on their way- assurance of things hoped for. Faith includes gratitude for the assurances of God’s help and presence in the future. Faith includes thankfulness for heaven that we have yet to experience. Faith itself produces a wellspring of thankfulness.
I believe that is what Paul meant in Colossians 2:7. He said, “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the faith you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Do you see the sequence and connection? Grow closer to him. Deepen your faith and thankfulness will ooze out. It has little to do with the amount of possession, but everything to do with the amount of faith.
I like to read that verse in the original language. It looks awkward because it repeats the same little preposition twice. It literally looks like this the end of the verse, “abounding in it in thankfulness.” Abounding in what? Faith! The deeper the faith runs, the deeper the thankfulness. Faith people can see God in the past, present and future. The bank of issues for thanksgiving grows. I love to be around faith-filled people. They don’t need a good reason to worship. They just do. They don’t need a good sermon on Sunday to energize them to give praise. They’re already there. They don’t need a garage full of toys to give thanks. They live there.
“Happy thanksgiving!” To those deep in the faith, “Do your thing.”