Are you thankful for what you have, or do you always feel the need for more? At home, you want new carpet, or a new couch. You see the newer model of the car you’re driving and “need” it because it has improved electronics. You have 17 pairs of shoes but see those new ones and have to buy them. I remember visiting a missionary couple in their home in North America. Their house had a 1970’s shag carpet in a gold color and the bathroom had a 1960 toilet and sink in a purple color. We got to know each other well over the years and one day I had the courage to ask about if the older style sink color was something that bugged them. They told me that they didn’t really think about things like the color of the sink but rather they focused on if the sink worked. As for shoes, they were focused on if their shoes were not yet worn out instead of if they fell in line with the current fad.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I take a load of clothes to Goodwill on a regular basis. I just want to advocate for us to be thankful for what we HAVE and not always be focused on what we DON’T have. The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4, I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Paul also reminds us in 1 Timothy 6, Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.
There’s a scene in the movie, Empire of the Sun where the Japanese troops take over the houses occupied by the British and American citizens in the Shanghai International Settlement. Their British and American residents are sent to an internment camp and their beautiful and expensive possessions (furniture, cars, chandeliers, etc.) are dumped in an open field. In one day, they lost their status, their property and their dignity. The scene reminded me that all my stuff will someday not be that important. As they say, you’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul.
This Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful for the people in our lives, and for our freedom, and for the stuff we have. Let’s even consider keeping some of our older stuff for a while longer instead of needing to replace it with a newer style. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us, In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Gratefully,
Greg Leith
Convene CEO
