The Day After Thanksgiving

Have you ever been so full that you couldn’t move?

Today’s devotional comes from Philippians 4:11-13:

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

I remember one Thanksgiving week where I had three different Thanksgiving meals. It was great. One was with my table group, another was with the whole church, and finally, one with my family. It was such a special time bonding together over food. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce and candied yams. It was delicious!

Furthermore, it was a time of blessing as we shared what we were thankful for. Some shared with laughter, others shared with tears. But every gathering helped me to learn again that community was essential this time of year.

So the day after Thanksgiving, I was so full. I was well fed physically and also spiritually. I was thankful for God’s faithfulness.

However, the day after Thanksgiving, someone shared with me something that I never knew. They shared that holidays like thanksgiving and Christmas can be a challenging time for many. Many are lonely, hungry and in agony. Lonely because they don’t have friends or community. Hungry because they don’t have money or food. In agony because they have loved ones who are no longer with them at their dinner tables.

God’s Word, in Philippians 4, shares about how, in Christ, we receive the grace and strength to be content whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.

Now, this does not mean we need to feel guilty about being well fed. Nor does it mean that God doesn’t love us if we are hungry and in need.

Rather, it does mean, in any and all circumstances, Jesus can empathize with us. Jesus can empower us. And above all, Jesus will be with us.

The secret, the Bible says, is that it’s about Jesus.

So the day after Thanksgiving, to be real, I did feel a bit guilty for being so well fed. But, God was teaching me to focus on Him. That, whether someone is in abundance or in need, Jesus knows how to love them and minister to them. In other words, He is big enough to embrace any and all circumstances. This truth caused me to be in awe of Him. It humbled me to worship Him. And it empowered me to share this secret with others.

How will you respond this day after Thanksgiving?

Pastor Sean

‍