Theology of Thanksgiving

OK, I know that title is probably not the most exciting, but today I am feeling like I need to just deliver sound Theology straight up. Will you allow me that?

Let’s start with a brief discussion of something all of us know, Geometry. I can almost hear some of you screaming right now, but hang with me. I’ll admit that Geometry was one of my favorite classes in high school. Why? Because it was a puzzle to be unraveled, and it was done so analytically and logically. But I would like to suggest to you that we can learn a lot about giving thanks by drawing on what we remember (hopefully) from Geometry.

In America, giving thanks is treated like a point but we should think of it like a ray. Let me refresh your memories. A point has no width or length. It is different than a line which is a series of points strung together in an infinite string. See, most of us think that giving thanks is something that we do at a point in time. While time may be a line to us, thanksgiving is a point on that line, the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving Day. It’s a point where we stop doing what we normally do, gather with family or close friends, watch football, eat too much, and say that we are thankful. And then, before the day is over, a multitude of us are out glutting ourselves at vendors who gorge themselves on our consumption, but that’s another blog post…

But the Christian life is not revealed as one with occasional or even periodic thankfulness. In fact, most of our English translations do a wonderful job of expressing the continual act of giving thanks reflected in the Greek grammar of Paul’s letters. It’s almost wrong to call it a “continual act” since it’s more of a lifestyle or mode. And some people get this, but for them thankfulness is a line. They understand that we are to be characterized by thankfulness, but that line is defined by a couple of points where they expressed thanks. Remember? That’s the definition of a line. A line is a string of points drawn through two points and extends continuously in both directions. And for a lot of Americans, stringing together several points of thanksgiving is the right way to live a life of gratitude.

But I would liken biblical thanksgiving to a ray. A ray is a portion of a line; it begins with a point on the line and then continues in one direction infinitely. I say Christian thanksgiving is like a ray because it has a starting point and then a direction. If you like Physics, thankfulness is like a vector. A vector has BOTH magnitude and direction. Furthermore, it has a position relative to other points.

OK, too much Math and Science. Let’s bring it back to Theology. Gratitude is demonstrated as a continuous state of motion. Gratitude has direction. It is not something we feel, but how we act. And all of it is in reference to our starting point, that moment that we acknowledged the relevance of the death of Christ to our lives. That was the point that created new life in us. It’s not that what transpired before that point is unimportant. However, it is that point, us before the cross of Christ, and the subsequent direction, living out the Resurrection, that defines our faithfulness. And that ray is characterized by gratitude to God. Thanksgiving is How we do all that to which we are called.

So, by all means, gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving Day. If you’re so inclined, go ahead and watch the Packers beat the Lions, the Cowboys beat the Dolphins, and the Niners beat the Crows. And gather around a bountiful table, but don’t overindulge since gluttony is the antithesis of gratitude. But reflect deeply on the blessings that the Lord has given to you. Do you know that every instance I found of Paul giving thanks was in reference to the people whom God had brought into his life, and that his admonitions to live thankful lives are buried in the midst of instructions concerning living in Christian community?

My pastor taught me that we are blessed to be a blessing. I like that perspective. It helps me keep my faith about more than me. So look for opportunities to train yourself to be other-focused. Look for places where you can apply the blessings that the Lord has given to you. And apply blessings in relational ways, inviting others to participate with you.

If you find that you just can’t come up with a tangible way to express Christian gratitude this season, consider joining a growing movement to bless the homeless in our area. Go to www.simplysocks.info for more information.

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise? Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise. Psalm 106:1-5