Understand what the Lord’s will is…. Speaking. …Sing…. always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. –Ephesians 5:17-20
There is a popular story about the writer Rudyard Kipling. In his prime he often wrote for newspapers. He received fifty cents a word for his work. Some Oxford University students were not impressed. One of them sent Kipling fifty cents with a request: “Please send us back one of your very best words.” Kipling cabled back to the student a one-word message: “Thanks.”
Kipling was right. “Thanks” is one of the very best words, especially for a Christian. And to have a day on the calendar set aside to give thanks is more important than we realize. It sometimes gets distorted as “turkey day,” a time for gluttony and football. It seems insignificant compared to Christmas and Easter. But make no mistake; there is no more important activity than giving thanks.
It is the most basic Christian action. Failure to give thanks is the basic charge against the “ungodly” and “wicked in the Bible: “So they are without excuse; for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him.” (Romans 1:21) The Apostle Paul tells us all God does for us has a purpose—to increase thanksgiving.
Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. (II Cor. 4:15- NRSV)
Thanksgiving is not complete just because we feel grateful. Nor is thanksgiving just a day. It needs to be expressed, through our words and our actions.
Thank you God for Jesus.
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