Beyond Thanksgiving

DEVOTIONS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Beyond Thanksgiving

Here’s an interesting thought:  When was the last time you gave thanks for the future?  When have you thanked God for something you can’t see yet, or for an uncertain outcome?  To make this question more tangible, think back on this past election season.  Did you ever give thanks for the future of our country, regardless of the eventual outcome on November 5th?

That's an unusual kind of gratitude to consider.  Thankfulness, not for what we already have, but for blessings that are still ahead of us.

When we think of Thanksgiving, we typically picture a table groaning under the weight of turkey, mashed potatoes, and that green bean casserole you pretend to enjoy to avoid family tension.  We’re thankful for food, freedom, football, and the privilege to move to the couch in a state of post-meal slumber.

It can be challenging to expand those grateful thoughts to include blessings we haven’t even seen or experienced yet.  But let’s put it this way:  imagine standing in the kitchen before the Thanksgiving meal begins.  The rich aroma of roasted turkey fills the air, mingling with the warm scents of stuffing and pumpkin pie.  You haven’t even tasted anything, but you know it’s going to be amazing!  You’re not thankful for what’s on your plate yet, but for what’s coming.  There's something about the anticipation that makes the wait feel almost as good as the feast.  It’s ­­­­an amazing picture of how we can wait for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

This kind of gratitude is part of what Paul talks about in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, where he encourages believers to give thanks in all circumstances.  This verse isn't just about the good we have experienced or see right in front of us.  It’s also about trusting God in times of uncertainty.

Can we be thankful when we’re still waiting for answers, still hoping for healing, still praying for a breakthrough that feels so far off?  Yes!  Even when the outcome is unknown, we can give thanks because we know His ultimate plan is perfect (Rom 8:28).  We can trust that God’s promises are as sure as His past faithfulness.

When you really think about it, the greatest act of faith is thanking God and trusting Him for what has yet to unfold.  So as we reflect on all of God’s provision this Thanksgiving, let’s offer thanks not just for the meal, the company, or the comfort of the day, but for the blessings still to come.  Whether it’s the joy of future answered prayer, the peace that comes from waiting on God’s Will, or the promise of even the most simple comforts, we can trust that God is faithfully shaping the future we can’t yet see.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever.”  1 Chronicles 16:34

- Ron Reid