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By Rev Don Rivers
As we close out the season, celebrate our accomplishments and look forward to the holidays, for some it will not be the same. There will be someone missing. Does our heart ache for those who struggle finding the joy this time of year brings? Remembering is necessary to truly be thankful. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
November 11, Veterans Day, a time to remember and be thankful for all those who stand up, establish, defend, and maintain our freedoms. I know a few veterans; some have seen battle and some have served in peacetime. I have witnessed firsthand the sacrifices and the effects their service has had on their lives and their families. Remember their sacrifice and be grateful they were willing to serve. Thank you.
The banquet season is upon us and we enjoy spending time with those we competed with. We enjoy celebrating and honoring our champions. For one night we are all on the same team. We enjoy this time, let our hair down and relax. It is good to be among friends. The most challenging time of our celebration is when we remember those we have lost this past year.
There are also those who have come before us in life and their efforts have played an instrumental role in our success. These past few months we lost a few of those mentors. We benefit from their lives and it is good for us to look around and be aware of those who have lost others. This can be a very busy time of year and it is easy to forget. We will do well to remember those who we lost.
Soon we will gather around the Thanksgiving table, enjoy a meal with friends and family. We will catch up on the things going on in each one’s life. We will eat too much, talk too much and long to take a nap. For the day we just see things differently. A day of thanksgiving has been a part of life on this earth for a long time.
In the book of Acts, in Chapter 2 it talks about the day of Pentecost. Pentecost, Shavuot, was a Jewish celebration that took place at the end of the harvest. It was also associated with remembrance of Moses receiving the Law given by God on Mount Sinai. They celebrated God’s provision and thanked Him for providing for their needs. A time to gather and be thankful for all we are blessed with and remember what has been done for us. We are created to have that sense of gratitude in our hearts.
Some of us have a difficult time when the holiday season rolls around. Some of us struggle to see the things to be thankful for. My heart breaks for those who, despite their best efforts to put on a happy face, are missing someone who held a special place in their heart. We need to lift them up, come alongside and walk with them, helping them realize there are still things to be thankful for.
In Acts 2 Pentecost was given a new meaning, again God provided. This time he provided the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of God that Jesus promised before he returned to the Father. This provision shows us that God is faithful and keeps His promise. When we are challenged through loss we can remember this and let it encourage us.
This provision to His disciples gave birth to the Christian Church, the church of the followers of Christ, defined by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. God provided a way for His message of love to be delivered to the world and bridge the barriers of language. Truly this was a day to rejoice. But there were some who did not get it, who did not understand.
Acts 2:13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
When you read verse 13 do you feel even a twinge of sadness for those who cannot see the hand of God? As we read the first twelve verses we see the arrival of the Holy Spirit; we see the fulfillment of God’s promise. We see the beginning of the Christian Church. We see the promise of a new day. Truly a day to remember and give thanks, God with us.
But not everyone shared that Hope. Not everyone shared that Joy. Not everyone had that Peace. Not everyone experienced that Love.
For some of us this time of year dredges up memories of days gone by that were not so special, were not so much fun, were not anything to celebrate. I think many struggle with putting on a happy face and grinding through the holiday season hoping to get through it before it overwhelms them and they give up. Not everything is as it seems on the surface.
I am thankful that God’s Word doesn’t hide the fact that some people didn’t get it. Some people didn’t understand the blessing God had bestowed; His presence. But if we are not careful we can gloss over it, skip right by. Forget that there are those who don’t understand. Forget that there are those who are struggling just to make it.
We would do well to remember those who struggle during this time of year for whatever reason. There are many who are not at peace throughout the holidays. Our heart needs to ache for those who are lost, those who are hurting, those whose lives did not lead them to Christ. Only in that compassion, mercy, and understanding can we extend grace, helping others make it through and maybe find a reason to celebrate.
Following the thanksgiving season is the season of Advent; hope, joy, peace and love, as we prepare to remember another of God’s promises fulfilled, the birth of Christ. We remember that God is faithful and meets our needs, needs we sometimes didn’t know we had.
Romans 5:1-15; Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
