How Not To Be A Turkey

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” C. S. Lewis

“Incognito,” according to Merriam-Webster, means “with your true identity kept secret; with one’s identity fully concealed.”

I love C.S. Lewis, but I have a bone to pick with the quote above. Romans 1:120 (NIV) reads, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:21 reveals the issue, and in light of the coming holidays, we see this all too often, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Time for a gut check. Do we know Him? If so, do we glorify Him? Are we giving Him thanks?

What tone are we setting in our homes this holiday season? On what does our holiday planning center?

Is Thanksgiving about giving thanks or is the focus the game of the day? (Nothing wrong with the game, it just shouldn’t be the focus.)

Is Christmas about what Santa is bringing or about Immanuel—God with us?

So, what can we do? Let’s tackle Thanksgiving today.

Acknowledge the Source

First Chronicles 29:12 says, “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”

Make a list of the things you have which come from God’s hand:

Income

Education

Talents

Skill sets

Guidance

Friends & Family

Say Thank You

After healing ten lepers, Jesus said this, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18)

Let’s not find ourselves in the crowd of nine. Make a Thank You note station. Have each person write one to God. Then, write to someone who impacted you in a positive way this year.

Serve It Up

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8)

Abound in good works. Here are a few ideas:

  • Invite someone to share Thanksgiving dinner with you who would otherwise be alone.
  • Donate blankets to a homeless shelter.
  • Gather gently-used coats, hats, and gloves for donations.
  • Bless those who have to work Thanksgiving with food, gift cards, notes of encouragement and thanks: police officers, hospital staff, firefighters, members of our military, wait staff.

Be intentional this week and celebrate God’s goodness.

Questions:

How do you balance God-centered holidays with the materialism and secularism of the culture?

Are you fighting back or giving in?

What steps will you take right now to shift the momentum?

Family Application:

Search Pinterest for creative ways to give thanks.

Brainstorm as a family. Whom do you wish to reach? Your neighbors? The needy? How is God leading your family?

Tweetables:

Is Thanksgiving about giving thanks or is the focus the game of the day? Click To Tweet
Take a moment to list the things you have which come from God. Click To Tweet
Make a Thank You note station. Click To Tweet

Leave a Comment





Join Gayle

Subscribe to get my latest content by email.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Recent Posts