It's pilgrim time again! Truly the best time of the year if you ask me. Nothing beats the beauty of fall. Yes, yes, we all love showy spring, resplendent with fragrant flowers and budding trees. But there's just something about fall, with it's vibrant blue skies...pumpkin pie, cake, bread, ice cream (just call me Forest Gump when it comes to anything pumpkin)...sweaters (but not yet coats, praise God)...and the nip in the brisk, clean air that revives even the weariest soul.
Not to mention the bittersweet reminder--which makes fall all the more alluring--that summer's warmth has fully yielded to what will soon be the season of runny noses, frigid fingers, and blazing fires. Winter's okay, I guess, but it's generally the season many of us simply endure until spring's entrance. But, hey, winter's not yet here! Today it's fall...so rejoice in this day that the Lord has made and stop borrowing trouble and worry about tomorrow.
But surely the very best part of fall is Thanksgiving and pilgrims. Don't we all need constant reminders to be thankful? To be grateful for all God has blessed us with rather than grumbling over the little that we lack. To be focused on the abundance of gifts from the Gift-giver rather than the absence of extras we think we need to be happy.
Oh forgive us, Father. Forgive me--I should be walking around all day long praising You and Your boundless generosity in my life. That I don't, reflects the fact that I truly don't understand Your unfathomable and infinite grace. Contemplating the grace poured out upon us through Jesus Christ should make us indefatigable thankers and praisers!
The pilgrims truly got this thankfulness thing down pat. What a reminder they are to all of us that gratitude doesn't depend on perfect circumstances but upon a perfect Savior. Whenever I start to feel overwhelmed or fretful or discouraged, I often think of those pilgrims. Doggedly hanging on to their hope in God while they battled freezing, miserable weather, constant sickness, and death.
Over half their numbers died in that first winter. Can you imagine? What would it take us, I wonder, to pack it in and say, "This is totally not worth it." Or to start despairing and doubting God. Or even simply to default to widespread grumbling and complaining. We so quickly get upset over the littlest slights or the smallest inconveniences.
Not the pilgrims. They persevered...oh my how they persevered. Like the writer of Hebrews exhorts us, they held "fast to the hope set before" them, for they knew that "We have this sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain." (Heb.6:18,19) And so even in the face of devastating losses, they chose to rejoice and give thanks to their never-failing God.
May we be quick to do the same.
After all, our Hope and Anchor--the Lord Jesus--has gone before us, and He is, even this very moment, at the throne of the universe, praying and interceding for us. (Heb.7:25)
Continual prayer by our Savior. Consistent provision for each day's needs. And the certain promise of an eternity in heaven. How on earth could we not be a grateful, thankful people?
More on pilgrims to come. In fact, Mr. Bingley has a little contribution to make in this department. But for today, let's choose to rejoice not only in fall's gifts, but also in our gracious and good Gift-giver. Pack away the worrying about tomorrow--what good will it do anyway? All that fretting does is rob you of the joy and strength God wants you to enjoy today. Tomorrow He will still be just as powerful and faithful--His provision of grace will be sufficient for tomorrow's needs too.
Today, Father, thank You, thank You, thank You. Thank You for prayer, provision and the promise of heaven. And thank You for this glorious day of fall.
To God be the glory.
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