“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)
Jesus described Himself as the “bread of God” which came down from heaven to give life to the world. (John 6:33) The life He came to give us would not come cheap. Our life came at the expense of His death. Paul re-echoed the ministry of Christ when he said: “So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” (2 Cor. 4:12)
There are some situations we find ourselves in that we can’t see any purpose for. How can we give thanks for what is so mind numbingly pathetic? We wonder what good can come out of what appears so senseless? But the cross of Christ was also foolishness to the wise.
Wouldn’t it have been better if Christ lived longer and taught more, healed more, spent more time with His beloved disciples? To the natural mind, yes, but not to God, whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts. And Jesus was one with the Father. They walked together and were agreed that the bread must first be broken before it could give life to the world.
Do we have the mind of Christ; or, are we only thinking about ourselves? Are we thinking about how God would use, even the most painful events of our life, to bring comfort, hope, and strength to others, or is our only thought: “Get this to stop!!”
What is happening to you now might appear so unnecessary, but God may think otherwise. Is it possible that He wants to use this season to produce in you the finest of gold? How many in the future might you enrich? What kind of testimony is God giving you the opportunity to have through today’s difficult test?
But if you are going to endure, God needs you to do one thing first. He needs you to “give thanks.” Thank Him for His redeeming hand in your life. Thank Him for knowing how to work all things together for good. Thank Him for calling you according to His purpose. Thank Him for the privilege of being used to demonstrate to all men the faith that overcomes the world.
Thanksgiving is not just meant for delicious meals once a year. Take whatever is set before you, and give God thanks.