Thanksgiving Message 2009

Susan Leatherwood

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowersmost of which are never even seendon't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met Matthew 6: 30-33

Dear Pilgrims,

Grace and peace to you in the name of Christ Jesus.

I pray this finds you grounded in generosity and love as our nation turns to a time of reflection and thanksgiving.

I have been a particularly moved this fall by the number of people in charge conferences who have reflected on their own lives and in the life of the church around the question of neighbor. I recently received the minutes from one charge conference and either by accident, intention, or Freudian spell check gone awry the heading read; Minutes of the Change Conference. Those churches that have had their charge conference may not have experienced this same attitude but more and more there seems to be a deepening awareness of the need for our churches to walk into the neighborhood and see who is around.

Steve reminded me of this the other day when he brought home the typical 5th grade construction paper project related to Thanksgiving. When I inquired of him how two diverse groups of people, Pilgrims and Native Americans, people who were probably suspicious of one another, might have met and shared a meal he simply said I couldnt begin to guess. When I asked him how he meets new friends he replied, Well, I guess you begin with something that you both like.

We begin with what we hold in common.

In the Matthew text for Thanksgiving there is a wonderful reminder from Jesus of what we hold in common. There has been speculation over the years who Jesus is speaking to in this passage, the rich or the poor, but most commentators agree that when it comes to possessions and anxiety status is not the evaluator. Anxiety about possessions and money afflict both the poor in their longing and the rich in their keeping; there is no free ride. Excessive worry doesnt help us solve a problem, reach a goal, or overcome difficulties but merely focuses our attention on ourselves instead of the bounty of Gods blessing and providence. So Jesus points to that which is spectacular and common drawing us to reflect on nature, arguing from the lesser to greater; God cares for the birds and flowers, is it then not reasonable that no less care will be shown to each and every one of us?

I have heard more than once during charge conferences people ask, What if we moved? What if we embarked on a ministry of service to the poor? What if we had a prayer vigil? These are difficult questions which are often dismissed with an inability or unwillingness to embrace the seeming impossible and impractical. In some cases these questions have been asked for months, years and even generations and yet there has been no action. I would suggest, certainly not in every instance, that the lack of movement is because there is too much personal investment and not enough common good. Or put another way, anxiety over what will happen (to me) shatters trust in the wisdom and leadership of God.

This Thanksgiving at the common table, in your homes, at church, in the community might we ask God to provide us a deeper insight of what it is we hold in common for the benefit of Gods glory, and identify what it is that keeps us locked into an anxious future instead of a Kingdom reality. After all as I reflect on the Christian life, ones life is qualified by what one seeks, not from the anxiety of what one has attained.

Blessings,

Gary