Abounding in Thanksgiving

Last week, as this nation was in the midst of stuffing their bellies with too much delicious food and shopping for hours on end, many new immigrants were granted access to live and work in this country. A news report showed these new arrivals sitting in a bus station. Each person had little more than a suitcase full of all their most valuable treasures. With a few dollars in their pockets and unable to speak the language, these folks had left their family and friends in pursuit of a better life.

A news reporter interviewed three people. Each face seemed to display a mixture of excitement and overwhelming uncertainty as they started a new life in this new and very culturally different land. As each person spoke to the camera, the same words come out of each person's mouth: "I thank God for allowing me safe passage and giving me this opportunity." I was shocked at how sincere and grateful they were to God. One man was traveling across this country in hopes of finding a job in the state of Oklahoma. The man said, "If God wills it, I hope to find a job to be able to send money back to my family."

Upon hearing these interviews, I had tears streaming down my face. These folks, having no home, no job and no certain future were giving thanks to God. Would we be so thankful in such a situation or would we be complaining that we were hungry, tired, lonely and hurdened with uncertainty? Do we really rely on God to provide for us? Do we truly believe Psalm 55:22, "Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain you. He shall never allow the righteous to be moved"?

With such great faith in God, I have full confidence these new immigrants will not only find housing and jobs, they will prosper. May we all strive to have such tremendous faith by turning away from our self-reliance and turning to God. As Jesus says, "Therefore, take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we be clothed?' But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:31, 33).