Who Do You Thank?

Built into the idea of Thanksgiving is… giving thanks. That’s pretty obvious and simple. What possibly is not so obvious is that to give thanks means there has to be someone whom to give thanks.

In our day-to-day living, when someone gives us something or does something for us we tell them thank you. There is a person to whom we can thank. When our spouse gives us a drink… we say thank you. When someone holds the door open for us… we say thank you. When we buy a piece of art from the artist… we say thank you.

But what are you giving thanks for on Thanksgiving? Are you giving thanks for your health, the love of your life, your family, the job you have that pays for the things in your life and let’s you provide for the ones you love, the house you live in, the food you are eating, the country you live in? The list is endless.

Here in the United States most citizens have much for which to be thankful. Bounty abounds. Compared to most of the people of the world, citizens in America have many blessings.

Strange thing though, most of the blessings we enjoy are not a direct result of one single person giving them to you. Some of these blessings you may think that no one gave them to you. You may think you earned them. You work hard to earn the money to pay for these things. And you did work hard for them. You did earn them.

But what about some of the other things? Did someone give you your health? Did someone give you the love of your life? Did someone give you your family? Did someone give you your intelligence, your skills, your personality, your demeanor?

The answer is yes. Someone did give you all these things and way, way more. So much so, that you don’t even know all they have given you.

The Creator of heaven and earth has given all to you and to me. He alone is the source of all. He alone is outside of time and space and created all things from nothing.

The Lord Jesus loves His creation. Since you are part of His creation, something He created, He loves you. He cares for you and blesses you with everything you need. Not everything you want, but everything you need. He gives us our health, our loved ones, our family, our intelligence, skills and personality.

Jesus also gives us our jobs, our homes, our clothes, our food. He is sovereign (in control) of all things in His creation and makes all the arrangements to provide these things for us.

Take fruit and vegetables for example. Sure, mankind has a big role in getting food to us. But without God, there would be no rain, no sun, no wind, no soil, no soil nutrients, no bugs (yes, bugs are important!). Even man’s involvement requires Jesus to provide farmers, processors, truckers, store clerks, etc. Dozens, maybe hundreds of people are involved in bringing us our fruit and vegetables. God provides them with the desire, the skill and the intelligence to get the job accomplished.

It is Jesus to whom we are to be thankful. He is the One who provides.

I encourage you to be grateful for all you have. I encourage you to be grateful to the One who created all and makes all things possible. I encourage you to Pursue Great! and thank Jesus for your life and your blessings. I encourage you to seek Jesus for eternal life and thank Him for providing it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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