Thanksgiving

“Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of his passion.”

Thomas Kempis



There are those who preach light words of vain glory; those who look for blessing through formulation.

“Read this book – Say this prayer – Perform this deed – Give this alm…and you too will taste of the glory bestowed upon my brow”…

Sounds a mite pinch too close to, “…when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

Jesus does indeed invite us all to the table, but there must first be death before there is life; pain before alleviation of pain, sorrow before compassion. We must run after God, but never esteem ourselves worthy of equality with God. Jesus does not even aspire to such. (Philippians 2)

Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning-bug”…

The word of God compared with mere words concerning a systemology of faith are vastly different. A word of Christ or a word about Christ? A word of love or a word about love? A word of blessing or a word of seeking possessions?

If we are looking for vain glory – for gifts or blessing, with no concern for the giver – with no concern for the blessor; then there is one who will oblige – but we must take note: For he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.

If we equate possession with blessing, we must jot down one last note:

The only thing able to be possessed outside of God’s grace is our sin and the punishment owed to it.

We must acknowledge all as the mercy of God and give thanks or we will find all we own is the shadow of death; the wages of our sin.

We must gladly lay our possessions down at the cross and join within the passion, the pain, the sorrow – Our ego must want of nothing – We must count ourselves nothing – All experience is graced upon us - Given freely so that we may give in return. Give in kind – give in worship – give in release – We must hope in the peace that passes all understanding and know that even this hope is a gift from God.