Thankful for…More

I’m sitting at my laptop, staring at a blank screen, trying to create something to type for my Happy Thanksgiving blog post.  I don’t want to type the typical long list of things and people for which I’m thankful.  I want to type something more meaningful than that.  So, I’ll just type from my heart.

The recent presidential election filled me with feelings of hopelessness.  There, I said it (typed it).  I was worried about what the next four years meant for me as a Black woman, my Muslim co-worker and her children, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and poor people.  Things simply didn’t look very appealing.  (This isn’t a political post, so don’t delete my post yet.  Stick with me.)

But then I remembered something.  I remembered a verse:

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 

(1 Corinthians 15:19).  

Now, before you start yelling at the screen, saying I’m taking a scripture out of context, I know exactly what that verse means, but it fills me with hope for ALL my tomorrows.

I forgot that this life isn’t ALL.  This life isn’t the END.  This life isn’t my LOT in life.

As a Christian, I get MORE!  I get ETERNAL LIFE with Christ.

And that is why I’m thankful this holiday season.

Am I still concerned being a Black woman in America?  YEP!  But I’ve always had that concern.

I serve an ALMIGHTY God who has endless resources at His disposal.  I serve an all-powerful, all-seeing, sovereign God who is concerned about me and all of humanity.

I remembered that the God I serve, while He hates sin, loves people.  He loves people so much that He sent His son to die on the cross for ALL of us (see John 3:16).  Yes, my God loves black people, white people, Asian people, Mexican people, Muslim people, gay people, republican people, democrat people, immigrant people, poor people, rich people, and say it isn’t so….people who had abortions (GASP!!!!!).

Yes, I’m encouraged now.  I’m thankful that my hope in Christ isn’t just for this life but in the life to come.  I’m thankful that He’s the God of my past, present, and future.  I cannot say that about ANY presidential candidate.

We have reason to look to the future with hope, regardless of our skin color, political affiliation, economic/social status, or nation of birth.  God has a way of protecting and providing for His children.

If you’ve been feeling some kind of way since November 8th, I urge you to place your focus, your faith, and your hope where they belong:  In Jesus Christ.  His Word is full of hope, encouragement, comfort, and answers in your time of need.

Be encouraged, my friends.   God has not forgotten about you!

Amen?  Amen!

~Aretha