A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

It’s that time of the year, time to give thanks for all that’s good in our lives. But can our thanks be more than mere words this year?

I love Thanksgiving – both as a foodie and a woman of faith. But I have a question nibbling at my heart. Should giving thanks be a mindset instead of a momentary ritual?

My mind wandered down this line of thinking as I chewed on the phrase, “sacrifice of Thanksgiving.” What does this mean? In biblical times and today?

In the Israelites day, it was a wake-up call from God. He wanted them to understand the true meaning of their sacrifices. That’s because the Israelites started to think God needed the goats, lambs, or bulls they offered.

But God didn’t need them. God created all of these creatures and everything else in their world. Which means He made everything in our world as well.

God wanted the Israelites to show a sacrifice of sincere thanks. Not just through words or animals but through their lives.

How Do We Offer a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving?

When we sacrifice, we give up something to gain a greater good. A diet is one example. Another would be saving enough money to buy a house.

But there is another level of sacrifice flowing from our gratitude. A sacrifice meant for God’s glory and the good of others. One way this happens is when we share our lives and faith with others. OK, I know that sounds dramatic. Connecting in faith with the people in our lives is not a sacrifice. Or is it?

Have you ever identified with someone in a hard place by sharing a similar story of survival? It’s a vulnerable feeling, isn’t it? It requires us to step out of our comfort zone. We sacrifice our time, our ego, and control of the outcome, especially when we point others to God.

But it’s a sacrifice worth making when we share Jesus as our source of strength. Anyone can express thankfulness in this way. Whether we’re young or old, rich or poor, living in freedom or addiction, we’ve all been through something challenging. Sharing our gratitude for God’s help in these challenges nourishes the lives of others.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”

Hebrews 13:15

Perhaps this is the way we embrace the sacrifice of Thanksgiving in our lives today. We start by giving thanks for those tables groaning with goodies. But let’s not stop there. Why don’t we go a step further and offer God a sacrifice of Thanksgiving by walking alongside others in faith? Hey, we need the exercise after that big meal anyways. So, let’s get walking.

Lord Jesus, we give thanks to you for the many blessings in our lives. But we’re also grateful for the way You redeem and restore others through our challenges as well. Give us the humility and obedience to live thankful lives in honor of all you’ve done for us. In Your name we pray, Jesus, amen.

Thyme4Faith

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