“Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth.” (1 Chronicles 16:33 NIV)
This scripture was read during our community thanksgiving service on Sunday evening. As the pastor spoke the word; I picture the woods in northern places: red and gold limbs raised in glory. It is fall somewhere and the trees are rightly responding to the cold. In their full color, they sing for joy!
What about us? How do we respond when the night begins to infringe upon our days and the cold moves in around us? We are typically in such a hurry to get past winter solstice (the longest, darkest night of the year) that we’ll rush toward Christmas at breakneck speed. Thanksgiving has been reduced to a one day wonder where we stuff ourselves silly and then immediately turn our attention to aggressive accumulation.
What if instead we spent the entire month of November in actual gratitude? If we refused to run full-speed toward Decembers festivities? If we intentionally allowed the infringing cold and darkness to slow our soul a bit and warm our hearts by giving thanks? Perhaps we wait best with a bit of gratitude? Mark the hours with a grateful heart?
We read 1 Chronicles 16 and we see every element of our world has a part to play in the thanks-giving production. The heavens rejoice. The earth is glad. The sea resounds. The fields are jubilant. The trees sing. And we; well we give thanks because God is good and His love endures forever.
‘Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; and His love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV)
Let’s refuse to skip past the instruction for thanks-giving this week. Let’s intentionally slow down, pull close and count our blessings.
Lord, forgive us for our instinct to rush past the uncomfortable. We don’t like the dark and cold, but today we see it as opportunity. We are thankful for warm houses and full houses and food-laden tables. Additionally, we are grateful that seasons change. May we possess the courage to sit in the stretch before December with gratitude preoccupying our hearts. You are good and Your love endures forever. Amen.