Overcoming Seasonal Thankfulness

As fall comes and the colors of the world change from green and blue to browns and gray, summer warmth is covered with a blanket of cooler air, and the season turns from frolic and play to a time of weekly rhythms and winter preparations.  This time of year always stirs up memories and contemplations.  And on one single American day in November, people gather around the dinner table to offer prayers and thanksgiving for the past year.

However, as this year turns towards the next and we prepare a single day of thanksgiving I am reminded of what Paul says about thankfulness and prayer.  While reading Colossians today, I was struck by this verse: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col 3:17).

I'd read this verse before.  Colossians 3 is probably my favorite chapter in all of Scripture.  But what struck me today was that this seemed like I had read it before in other Pauline writings.  Paul exhorts believers to give thanks at every circumstance and at all times.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Ephesians 5:20: "giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Clearly, Paul, and the Holy Spirit who inspired his writings, care that we would give thanks unceasingly and without end.  Therefore, as we enter in on this colder season, may we take a posture of thankfulness in ourselves.  To do this we should make a habit of giving thanks to God in the morning and throughout the day.  Thankfulness does not come by happenstance but needs to be made a priority in our every day.  Let us then praise God by offering thankfulness to Him through His Son Christ Jesus all the moments of every day of our lives!