“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This is how Paul ends his first letter to the church in Thessalonika. Notice that it’s similar to how he ends his letter to the Philippians, even though he was in house arrest. There is a dual call to rejoice and to give thanks. It’s the 4th of July, a great day to give thanks in America.
I pray that this is your primary emotion today, thankfulness. The Lord loves to give good gifts, and this is one of them – to live in a country where we are able to worship safely, where we’ve enjoyed great benefits, and where we are free. That’s a tremendous gift, and let your thanksgiving pour out to the Lord today, however you celebrate. This is God’s will for you, says Paul, in Christ Jesus, that we would be thankful. Notice also that in between this dual call to rejoicing and thankfulness is the call to pray. Never in any place at any time is everything just as they should be – so there is a reason to petition the Lord, to ask for things to be “on earth as they are in heaven.” This is, after all, his reclamation project, to bring the new heavens and new earth right here. Let not that sully your joy, however, when you notice the bad things. And let it not sour your thankfulness.
Eat a hot dog today, or a burger, and smile more than you normally might. Laugh with friends and family and remember that this is what Heaven will be like – without the sin part, or dying, or any of those corrupting things; but it will be like that – joy and thanksgiving. Watch fireworks and be thankful for the United States! Be thankful for those around you – and remember that this fellowship, this koinonia, is a beautiful gift as well. We’re moving always towards heavenly celebration, and we are meant to experience it in shadows right now – so do that and do it with a brimming heart full of joy and thankfulness!