We continue our 3-week series on gratitude called Our Hymn of Grateful Praise exploring the essential nature of gratitude in our lives and in our faith.
The opening verse this week is, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Consider someone in your life who acts this way. Perhaps it’s someone who is always happy or always celebrating or always filled with joy. This doesn’t mean, even as we approach Thanksgiving, that there isn’t room for grief or sadness. Suffering can hit us even during the holiday season—and for some especially during the holidays. Even in this suffering, we might be able to see beyond the pain of the moment to the wholeness that is offered in God’s care and grace. Recognizing this, we can give thanks for the promises of God even when we can’t feel them at the moment.
Philippians 4:4-13 (NRSVue)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think aboutthese things. 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me but had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Consider these questions:
- Who is the person you thought of when considering the person who rejoices in the Lord always? Alternatively, who is a person who comes to mind when you think of the word “rejoice?” Why do you think this person acts the way that they do? What do you think you can learn from the person?
- Have you ever felt dread at an upcoming holiday, or grief or pain during a holiday season? How have you experienced this? Can you think of someone who needs to hear words of hope, particularly from your own similar experience? How might you reach out to that person?
- As we prepare for gatherings and feasts during the Thanksgiving holiday, remember that there are many who do not have the opportunity to gather and to feast. How do you think you and/or your church and/or some other group might give thanks to God by helping those who are hungry?