Last week, I finished a fascinating biography about a woman who lived near London during World War II*. In this current era of toilet paper rationing, I was intrigued to learn a little about the rations of post-war England:
bread was rationed for 3 years after the war’s end
new clothing, 4 years
sugar, 8 years
meat, 9 years
And we think we have it bad.
During this week, when we have opportunity to pause and be thankful, I can’t help but think about Paul’s writings to the early Christians. He said to the people in Thessalonica: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes. 5:16-18)
He said to the people who lived in Ephesus: “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:20)
To the believers in Colossae he wrote, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
In each of these letters, this command to be thankful closely follows a reminder of how believing in Jesus brought change and upheaval to these people’s lives. “For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night [as we used to]” (1 Thes. 5:5). “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” (Eph. 5:8). “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. […] You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. […] Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him” (Col. 3:5, 7, 10).
Paul reminds them how things used to be. But instead of counting those things as “the good old days,” he points out how these followers of Jesus have given up the old ways they used to do things for a better way. Trading darkness for light. Trading sinfulness for righteousness. And he’s always reminding them to be thankful! Why is that?
Perhaps it is because we have a tendency to look at the past with fondness.
This year has brought a whole bunch of upheaval and change into our lives. As we approach this week and the coming month, let us accept Paul’s challenge to be thankful even in changing times. How has the upheaval of 2020 changed us? Has it challenged our sinfulness… revealed our darkness… increased our capacity for patience and understanding… shown us our need for Jesus… {insert yours here}?
Let’s resist the urge to think back to the way things used to be with fondness. Let’s resist grumbling about our current restrictions or current rations. When the family table conversation turns to griping about these things (because it probably will), we believers have a wonderful opportunity. We can be people of light, people of thanksgiving. We can chose to give thanks in all things. Because we know the life-altering power of Jesus, we can trust that God is doing good work even in the midst of upheaval.
Praise God that there will never be a ration on things we can be thankful for!
May God’s light shine through your thankfulness this season.
* “Mrs. Oswald Chambers” by Michelle Ule