"Counting Our Blessings"
Thanksgiving Sunday
November 24, 2013
Thanksgiving is just around the corner - a special day to set aside time to count our blessings and give thanks to God.
On this Sunday before Thanksgiving we'll be taking a look at a passage from the Gospel of John. (You can read it here) The day after Jesus turned a little boy's lunch into enough food for 5,000 people, a crowd follows Jesus across the Sea of Galilee in hopes of another meal. Jesus tells them, “You’ve come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs—and for free. Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides." Jesus notes that the crowd is hoping for something material rather than spiritual. They're seeking a gift (free lunch), but Jesus is offering them a blessing (divine presence).
Have you ever given any thought to whether there's a difference between God's gifts to us and God's blessings - between the material things that God provides (food, shelter, warm clothing, etc.) and the spiritual benefits that come from a life with God (peace, joy, comfort, etc.)? While we should surely give thanks for both gifts and blessings, which of the two is more important to you? Which do you think should be? Which will you be counting on Thanksgiving Day?
Join us on Sunday as we ponder these questions and offer thanks and praise to our generous God, "from whom all blessings flow".
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