THANKSGIVING EPISODE
(4-minute read)
A good life is not necessarily one without upheavals, heartaches and disappointments. The way that each of us came into the BeInReach community at different junctures of our lives largely hinted at God’s Hand in the process. Once again, He meddled, He interfered and He made sure we were not left alone to figure out if He cared or not. At our virtual Thanksgiving among old and new friends (young and old), nine people shared their thanksgiving stories. True to life, most did not unpack life as neatly wrapped packages or re-unpack the past once again. On the contrary, many spoke about life as it unfolds for them now – without answers, without certainty, full of risks but where God becomes more real than ever.
From different locations all over the world, the chorus of Scott Krippayne’s song, ‘You Have Been Good’ reverberated in our hearts:
If I never get to see another rainbow
Or share another life with a friend
If I never stand barefoot by the ocean
Or get to kiss my child goodnight again
If I never have another prayer that's answered
Or have another blessing come my way
If this is all I know of heaven's kindness
Father, I would still have to say …
You have been good
You have been good
And I may have wondered how could it be
You have been good
You've been so good
So many ways You've been good to me.
Indeed, Scripture from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ While we don’t choose to have mysterious physical disorders, or intentionally act in ways that cause us to be hurt, or end up working with toxic bosses, what we can choose to do is to give thanks for that which adversities and hardships cannot take away from us: that is our faith in God – our Heavenly Father who never ceases to love us. Even those who are on the receiving end of mistreatment are told, ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Romans 12:21). What is good is to give thanks in all circumstances.
This Thanksgiving, let us be reminded of a simple A-B-C to nurture gratitude for a healthy spiritual life:
A is to appreciate what you already have. Gratitude turns what we have into enough - and even more than enough in some instances. The love and support that God sends in a timely way through some people you never expect even when your usual support network malfunctions in your time of need. The opportunities and perks of living as economic migrants may take its toll on family life but it also centres you back on God as the core and centre of your existence and relationships.
B is to believe that God has a purpose for your life. It is important to know that your future is in God’s hands. Even if your realities today are hard and harsh, God is not done yet and He will not leave you shortchanged. Indeed, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.’ (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT). The blood tests may reveal an unusual disorder but there is nothing unusal about holding on to the finished work of Christ on the Cross, and believing that ‘by His wounds we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:5). Resolve in your hearts that God is working on something that far outweighs what you can perceive or even imagine. Stay focused on the one who is the pioneer and perfector, the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2 KJV, NIV).
C is to consider giving thanks as a daily spiritual workout and discipline. In all seasons of life, all life stage, all conditions of life, make a conscious effort to be thankful. In error, many believers think that the manifestation of thankfulness is to ‘live it up’ for all to see how blessed they are. Rather, the Bible tells us ‘Let your light shine in front of men. Then they will see the good things you do and will honor your Father Who is in heaven.’ (Matthew 5:16). Thankful people do things out of gratitude and not plentitude.
We can visit or catch up with people in person, or send care packages though we do not own luxury cars. We can reach out to others even when we are going through difficulties – not for fictional karma – but because hardships do not take away the God-given human capacity to love and care for others. ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ (Ephesians 2:10). Whatever our circumstances, we are still responsible to do what is important to God.
This ABC must be grounded in our gratitude to God and they are effective only because of His promises to us. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
This is a summary and reflection based on a virtual BIR Session held on 25 November 2023.
