DRIVEN BY THE HOPE OF GOD— A SPECIAL THANKSGIVING MESSAGE

I'd like to take a short hiatus from our series in Ephesians in honor of Thanksgiving. My Pastor gave a Thanksgiving message and I'd like to share a bit, along with some thoughts of my own.

In the Fall of 1620, 102 passengers boarded a small ship leaving Plymouth England. With a dream of freedom and liberty in tow, they traveled an extremely difficult and even treacherous sixty six day journey to a new world. Half of them were Pilgrims/believers in Jesus Christ. The Mayflower headed for Virginia, but the winds blew them north, eventually landing in what would later be called Plymouth Massachusetts.

Over the next few months they faced many difficulties as they were exposed to a brutal winter, disease and hunger. That spring, a Native American called Squanto taught the Pilgrims several survival skills including how to cultivate corn. After the Autumn harvest of 1621, a day was set aside for feasting and prayer to show gratitude to almighty God for His provision. We've come to know this day as America's first Thanksgiving.

I grew up in New England. As a child we visited Plymouth Rock on school field trips each year of elementary school. Unfortunately, I was too young and uninterested to appreciate the significance of any of it. I can honestly say that I took much of American history for granted—until now. I guess it's true what they say, whoever 'they' are,

"We don't really appreciate something until we're at risk of losing it."

God has awakened my heart afresh to appreciate the history of this country. With that, I've also become aware of His weaving together of heaven and earth.

Stick with me here for a moment.

Scripture says, "From one man he made every nation of man, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for him and find him. . . . "Acts 17:26-27

So if that's the case, then can we not conclude that what we do here (earth) is pretty significant to there (heaven)?

I admire the courage and dedication of the believing Pilgrims. They were willing to sacrifice everything, even their very lives, and many did, to fulfill a desire to worship the God of the Bible freely; and to secure the inalienable rights given to them by Him. God blessed their endeavor, as well as their trust in Him. In addition to that He blessed their ability to think. They did not get off that boat until they drew up a covenant of laws and a governmental agreement that honored God. They called it the Mayflower Compact.

God determined the time set for them and the places where they should live. Driven by the hope of God, they remained thankful as they stepped into their temporary earthly assignment"for the glory of God, and the advancement of the Christian faith" (taken from the Mayflower Compact).

God has also determined the time set for you and for me, and the places where we should live. America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. We've been through a lot but we have much to be thankful for. America's foundation was built on Godly values and she is a beacon of hope for freedom and liberty. May we not stand by, as fellow believers with the Pilgrims, and watch her crumble!

2021 is the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the one and only Christian holy day that is celebrated uniquely in the United States. Unfortunately, the true meaning of Thanksgiving is being reduced to Friendsgiving, just as Merry Christmas is being reduced to Happy Holidays.

Passivism is a lie that goes all the way back to the Garden. We have been deceived into believing that life should be easy and everything free. However, nothing worth having is free. Christian, are you willing to step into your God given earthly assignment, no matter the difficulty, for the furtherance of the Gospel, for the glory of God?

This Thanksgiving, as you give thanks, never forget that Jesus laid down His life and defeated death in order to give life to all who believe (John 3:16). Call to mind the Pilgrim's faith, courage, hard work and dedication because we too are pilgrims. We're not of this world; our citizenship is in heaven, however, God has placed us here, in America, for such a time as this. I pray that each of us have the same measure of courage to follow Jesus wherever He may lead.

And if you haven't already, please take the time to read the Mayflower Compact.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!