Thanks for What?

We are told as Christians to be thankful. Even the act of communing with God is called Divine Thanksgiving, or Holy Eucharist. We know that God has come to save us, but our lives on earth are filled with temptations and struggles. What exactly are we supposed to be thankful for?

Brethren, whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Colossians 3:17-25;4:1

I imagine the Christians in Colossae thought the same thing. Living as Christians under the pagan Roman Empire had its challenges for sure. The Church calendar is riddled with names of men and women killed for believing in Jesus Christ as God. Were they thankful too?

We can imagine that if Saint Paul felt the need to remind the people to be thankful, chances are pretty good they were not being ‘too’ thankful. I can’t say that I blame them. It can be difficult to maintain an attitude of gratitude in the face of constant attacks on your way of life.

While it may not be illegal to be a Christian today, I’m not sure how much easier it has become. Parents still abuse their children. Children still rebuke their parents. Husbands and wives still separate and divorce over irreconcilable differences. The only thing different is the law.

So, I ask again. Be thankful for what exactly?

As Christians living in a foreign world, we long for a time when we can focus ‘only’ on God. We desire a time when our choices are not, keep your job vs honor God. We hope for a future in which our love is not taken advantage of by those around us.

In short, we long for heaven but we live on earth. I guess we should be thankful that life on earth is difficult, so that we desire heaven. We should be thankful that life ‘bites back’. Otherwise, we may not consider God’s alternative at all. Saint Paul understood better than most.

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

2^nd Corinthians 11.24-29

If Saint Paul can be thankful for the thorn in his side (see 2^nd Corinthians 12) then we can be thankful for the struggles the world ‘throws’ at us because we know something better is coming. It may not come now, but it is coming. A savior for ‘all this on earth’ is worthy of our thanks.