“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” – 2 Peter 1:3
This probably isn’t the Thanksgiving you imagined at the start of the year. This probably isn’t the Thanksgiving you planned even a couple of months ago. This year has tested us, stretched us, isolated us, frustrated us, hurt us, and divided us. But we still have many things to be thankful for!
This year has clarified what’s truly important. It’s clarified what can’t be taken away by circumstances, situations, crises, and governments. It’s made clear how precious it is that in Christ God has already given us everything we need for the eternal life we already enjoy.
Give thanks for God’s glorious, overflowing, undeserved grace in revealing Himself to us. He didn’t have to make Himself known, but He did. Give thanks for God’s grace in saving us by sending His own beloved Son, Jesus, to suffer and die for our sins. Give thanks for God’s grace in inviting us to believe in Jesus and receive forgiveness for every sin, no matter how terrible, and eternal life in Christ. Give thanks that God has given and preserved the Bible to teach us about Himself and Jesus, how to truly follow Jesus, and how to live our lives and navigate this ever-changing world.
Give thanks for God’s goodness and generosity that we don’t have to pay for these blessings, we don’t have to earn them, we don’t have to deserve them, but that God gives them out of His love, kindness, and mercy. Give thanks that in Christ, we are united with God, one with Him, filled with His Holy Spirit, comforted by Him, strengthened by Him, challenged by Him, transformed by Him, and deeply loved by Him. Give thanks for the many wonderful things in your life that can never, ever be taken away!