Devotion: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Please review the scripture from the weekend: Philippians 4:4-8
A few years ago, I had a conversation with my wife, Rachel, that I still think about. We were talking about our favorite holidays, mostly focusing on the cultural aspects, when I asked what her favorite holiday from a spiritual perspective was. At that point, I really only considered Easter and Christmas to be spiritual holidays for Christians, since they’re the only ones that explicitly commemorate biblical events. So I was surprised when she responded, “Thanksgiving.” But as she explained her reasoning, it all made sense. Taking time to recognize all that we have in life, especially the intangibles–hope, love, relationships–is undoubtedly a holy and spiritual discipline.
Thanksgiving, like Easter and Christmas, obviously has a lot of cultural baggage surrounding it. We’re learning that the historical account of the “first” Thanksgiving isn’t as simple and wholesome as many of us were taught growing up. And the pressure of getting entire extended families together for a meal that has to be just right often distracts from a spirit of thankfulness. But if we view Thanksgiving through a spiritual lens, the stress can melt away, leaving room for the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.” Our holiday plans won’t always go smoothly, but we can be thankful knowing God is near.
Holidays are strange. Most are meant to be days of celebration and reflection, but we’ve put so much pressure on ourselves to live up to societal expectations that we leave no time for either celebrating or reflecting. Thanksgiving is no exception. That’s not to say the traditions surrounding Thanksgiving and other holidays are bad, just that we can’t let them distract us from what is holy about these days. So this year, while enjoying the meals and family time, remember that giving thanks is a spiritual practice, and make room for God’s peace and presence in your heart.
Heavenly Father, this holiday season let our focus be on You. Let the societal pressures and expectations fall away, and keep our hearts and minds on Your holiness. Amen.
Written by Preston Thiemann
Preston Thiemann and his wife, Rachel, live in Lincoln with their new daughter, Clara. He is the Web Content Coordinator for the ASEM Marketing team at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he’s worked since April 2015. At Sheridan, he also plays guitar with the Praise Band and is active in Sheridan’s 20s & 30s group called Second Quarter.
In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time with friends.