Happy Thanksgiving

We all share the same dilemma — we long for life and we're not sure where to find it. We wonder if we ever do find it, can we make it last? The longing for life within us seems at odds with the life we find around us. What is available seems at times close to what we want, but never quite a fit. Our days come to us as a riddle, and the answers aren't handed out with our birth certificates. We must journey to find the life we prize. And the guide we have been given is the desire set deep within, the desire we often overlook or mistake for something else or even choose to ignore.

The greatest human tragedy is simply to give up the search. There is nothing of greater importance than the life of our heart’s deep longings. To lose heart is to lose everything. And if we are to bring our hearts along in our life's journey, we simply must not, we cannot,
abandon this desire. Gerald May writes in The Awakened Heart:

There is a desire within each of us, in the deep center of ourselves that we call our heart. We were born with it, it is never completely satisfied, and it never dies. We are often unaware of it, but it is always awake ... Our true identity, our reason for being, is to be found in this desire.

The clue as to who we really are and why we are here comes to us through our heart's desire.  And our heart’s desire is to be in relationship with our Creator.

Certainly, you will admit that God is glorious. Is there anyone more kind? Is there anyone more creative? Is there anyone more valiant? Is there anyone more true? Is there anyone more daring?

Is there anyone more beautiful? Is there anyone more wise? Is there anyone more generous? You are his offspring. His child. His reflection.  His likeness. You bear his image. Always remember that though he made the heavens and the earth in all their glory, the desert and the open sea, the meadow and the Milky Way, and said, "It is good," it was only after he made you that he said, "It is very good" (Gen. 1:31). Think of it: your original glory was greater than anything that's ever taken your breath away in nature.

To be in relationship with God is what we were created for.  That is our true heart’s desire.  Our souls long for relationship with our Creator.  Our culture offers many things that might seem pleasing and satisfying, but they will always come up short.  To find true peace, to find real contentment is to find it in our Lord Jesus Christ who loves us so much He gave up His life to reconcile us to the Father.  “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added.”  Matthew 6:33

This month we celebrate Thanksgiving.  It is a reminder for those who have been called into faith to be thankful. Not just on this day, but always.

Happy Thanksgiving Our Redeemer!

Pastor Dave