Friday, November 21, 2008

Thanks With a Purpose


Ephesians 1:15-23
Unemployment up.
Banks going down.
Fear that this is only the beginning.
At first glance this seems like a time when people don't have as much to give thanks for. I think, though, the opposite is true. When we have less stuff, our thanksgiving comes from a deeper place. We remember that stuff is worthless compared to people. A deposit of self into a true friendship is infinitely safer than a checking account. Eternal deposits are never limited to money.
Maybe Jesus was onto something when he said, "Don't store up treasures on earth where the Dow can sink 46% in eleven months, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." (my paraphrase). And maybe Paul was also on target by beginning almost every letter he ever wrote with a prayer of thanks - often for people, even pain in the butt people, for whom God had given him responsibility. Imagine how our relationships would change if, each time we were about to complain about someone, we first gave thanks for that person.

Hmm, I might just try that.

Well, that's not really the exact direction the sermon is heading this week, but what else is new?
My beautiful oldest daughter is coming home from college tonight for the Thanksgiving break and I'm excited to see her and find out how she's changed since going away for school. Time to make an investment. - Curtis