Merriam Webster defines thanksgiving as, “the act of giving
thanks” or “an expression of gratitude.”
Middle English eukarist, from
Anglo-French eukariste, from Late Latin eucharistia, from Greek, Eucharist,
gratitude, from eucharistos grateful, from eu- + charizesthai
to show favor, from charis favor,
grace, gratitude; akin to Greek chairein to
rejoice . Eucharisteo in the Christian faith is known as the Holy Communion
or the Lord’s Supper. It is the great table
of Thanksgiving. The Eucharist is the
heart and soul of the believer’s life.
Without the actual death and resurrection of Jesus Christ it is nothing
more than a symbolic religious ritual.
The table holds two elements to the believer; the first being the bread
representing Christ’s body. The very substance to life: bread. The second is the wine or cup representing
Christ’s blood. The blood poured out for my sins and the sins of the
world. We eat and drink, swallowing down
our thankfulness for the price paid by God’s only son: Christ Jesus.
I’ve been reading a book called, “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. In her book she dives into the hidden
treasures found in un-wrapping the gift of Eurcharisteo. Her faith journey is similar to mine. Questions
about this Christ life, faith, injustices, marriage, kids; yet our paths maybe
different the desire to see God, know Him, to embrace His goodness in the midst
of this “life” is the same. I often have
wondered if anyone else on this planet thinks like me. Is anyone else willing to ask the hard
questions and actually go on this crazy quest to find the answers and then talk
about the journey? To discover how to
unlock the treasure chest of this abundant life is a journey worth taking. This book has stirred my faith, getting right
at the heart of my ingratitude, discontentment and lack of zeal to live fully
in Christ. The Word has a way of piercing through the clutter. Her poetic way with words on the page with
pen stabbing deep pierces my soul. The
faith journey can always go deeper.
Christ always has more for us, but we must learn it. Paul refers to this when he states, “I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives
me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13) Ann Voskamp lays out how our faith must
reflect thankfulness, “we can only enter into the full life if our faith gives
thanks.” Just like the one leper out of
ten who returned to say thank you.
Jesus’ response in Luke 17:17-19, “your faith has healed you.” Voskamp explains how when we choose to be
thankful for what Christ has done our very salvation is being worked out. Going
the extra mile, “Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our yes: to His
grace.” She goes on to say, “The act of sacrificing
thank offerings to God, even for the bread and cup of cost, for cancer and
crucifixion – this prepares the way for God to show us His fullest salvation
from bitter, angry, resentful lives and from sin that estranges us from
Him.” So I ponder. Yes I can thank him for the communion table
and for cancer (and yes it hurts); for His death on a tree and for all my sins
and the sins of this world.
So the next question one must ask is how then do you have
the ability to really thank God for something like cancer? Because it’s cancer and it’s literally
killing me from the inside out and the chemo is poison running in my
veins. Psalm 50:23 sheds some light to
my dark question, “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares
the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” The hard part comes in
everyday living. I want to be happy,
content, and even joyful. I like Paul, am
learning thankfulness in all circumstances (cancer?). Voskamp gives us a dare – a dare to list, to
name gifts that are before our very eyes.
Every perfect gift comes from the Father. These gifts describe his love in the beauty
around us amongst the depravity and chaos in this world. But one must choose the hard Eucharisteo way. So I begin recording and naming the
gifts. Is this not the first job of Adam
in the perfect garden? Naming…when something has a name it has meaning,
identity and therefore we can assign credit to the Creator for making it. So I have begun the list of one thousand
gifts. I struggle to see the “God glory”
around my chaos of dogs, cats, cows, boots, coats, Lego’s, Hot Wheels, laundry,
bills…but I discover what Voskamp has discovered: pure charis – joy! Joy comes in the naming. Naming is the way to abundant living in
Christ, to always be thankful. “Deep
chara joy is only found at the table of Eucharisteo
– the table of thanksgiving. “
And so I list:
1.
Kittens purring
2.
Stars in the sky
3.
Fresh eggs from the coop
4.
Red sun rising
5.
Clean sheets on the bed
1 Corinthians 11:26 says, “For whenever you eat this bread
and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Voskamp continues, “Like every day. Whenever we
eat. Eucharisteo – whenever: now,
joy. Wherever: here.”
6.
Dog tail thumping on the wood floor
7.
Laughter
8.
Feather pillows
9.
Silence in the early morning
10.
Holding hands for prayer
The list goes on like my faith journey. I embrace Eucharisteo
intentionally with eyes only God can give.
I have reason to be thankful and I see it clearly now. It’s all around me. His love envelopes my world. How did I not
see it before? This I can name: real thanksgiving.
11.
Real Thanksgiving
If you want to learn more about Ann Voskamp visit her blog
at: www.aholyexpereince.com or www.onethousandgifts.com.
Also, check out the posting of this devotional on Stonecroft's website: To Inspire You
