Thanksgiving and the Pursuit of Happiness

What makes you thankful?

Brother Roy Coy sent out a devotion today (in his typical 4:00 a.m. way :) - maybe I should try getting up at 4:00 a.m.) challenging us to ask a very good question, "What would it take to make me happy?"

Our founding fathers talked of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Though we Americans probably have a higher quality and degree of life and liberty than most, we do spend a lot of time and energy pursuing that ever elusive thing called happiness.

So, what exactly are we pursuing? A group of Pilgrims pursuing religious freedom came to our shores in 1620, and the cold, sleet, and snow of the first winter was so severe that less than 50 of the 110 Pilgrims and crew survived it. Yet instead of bitterness toward God for the dead, there was thanksgiving toward God for the living. And on March 16, 1621, a miracle occurred- an Indian walked into their settlement, and he spoke English! His name was Samoset, and the rest is history. The birth of a holiday we call Thanksgiving, and the birth of a nation that we call America. And who knows. The outcome of our history may have been very different had those Pilgrims not chosen to be thankful in the midst of their loss and grief.

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME." (Rom 10:10-11)

Those Pilgrims were not put to shame. They were ultimately delivered, and
ultimately used by God to found a great nation.

I do not know what God has in store for you, but I do know that He has a beautiful plan for your life, and that the choices you make each day affect others around you.

Maybe a different twist on the question of happiness, would be to ask you, whose happiness are you purusing? Your own, others, or God's?

To puruse His will, to know it, to obey it, and to stay in it, is probably the most effective way to bring true happiness. For in pursuing the happiness of your Heavenly Father, you bring His kingdom to earth (Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven), and with His kingdom comes righteousness, peace- the everlasting Holy Spirit kind!

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.