“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
I hope your Thanksgiving experience was full of joy, excitement and gratitude. Unfortunately for many, the holidays are some of the most painful times. Perhaps there was a missing loved one due to death, illness, deployment or other separations. The depressed economy has many worried about jobs, bills and savings.
Some Christians around the world face persecution and violence. A Baptist World Alliance press release reminds us of the crisis in India:
“Anti-Christian violence has increased significantly in India. The latest wave of violence began after the murder of a charismatic Hindu leader on Aug. 23 in Orissa state in eastern India. Radical Hindus blame Christians for the killing, even though a militant Maoist group claimed responsibility. The violence, which sparked several persecutory actions in Orissa, has since spread to other Indian states, including Karnataka.
“More than 60 Christians in India have been killed and another 50,000 left homeless by the violence, mostly in Orissa.
“An Evangelical Fellowship of India story on Nov. 18 reported that a Baptist ministerial student was arrested after being beaten by Hindu extremists in Karnataka. The minister-in-training was conducting a worship service in a house church when the worship was disrupted by the Hindu extremists. The principal of the Baptist Bible College that the student attends had also been arrested. Both were charged with ‘malicious acts to outrage religious feelings and punishment for criminal intimidation’ while the student also faced a charge of ‘forceful conversion.’”
Of course, the writers of Scripture were not immune to hardship. When the Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to give thanks, he already had been jailed and beaten in Philippi and chased out of Thessalonica. He was a prisoner facing the prospect of execution when he exhorted the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord always.”
Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday, even though we are thankful to get a day off from work. Being thankful also is more than comparing our lives to those we believe to be less fortunate. Thanksgiving for a Christ follower is a way of life. Regardless of the Dow stock index, our cholesterol level or even national security, our hope must be in Christ.
As Christians, we must “bear one another’s burdens.” When our brothers and sisters are being persecuted, we must pray for them and intercede with God and our political leaders to bring peace. When others are destitute, we must share with them. When they are lonely, we must visit them. When they are falsely accused, we must defend them.
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The church is the body of Christ. God brings comfort to us through the ministry of the Spirit and through the arms and legs of the people of God. As we enter the Advent season, let us make preparations for the coming of the Lord with lives of gratitude for God’s goodness and with awareness of the hurting around us who await our compassion.
Randel Everett is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.
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