1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In the 1990s, Don Moen wrote a worship song called Give Thanks. I believe the first time I sang this song was when I was student pastor at Edgeboro Moravian Church. I was introduced to this song by Bishop Chris Gieseler who was my supervisor at the time. The words of the verse are easy enough to remember, which is helpful when you type them into a Google search!
Moen writes:
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because
He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.
Over and over, the words repeat and you just sing them verse after verse. In all the turmoil that we have experienced since March of 2020, with COVID and ever changing uncertainties, and with difficulties within personal and communal lives, it can feel difficult to find something to give thanks for. In all honestly, I could list all the difficulties and probably fill pages. Life has not been easy for anyone. We have had to make decisions we never thought we would need to make. We have wounded people, and harmed each other. We have all suffered.
And yet, scripture calls us to give thanks. Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One... why, it’s answered in the next line. Whether with sing it with Moen or we recite it with Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:57 we give thanks in our world because God has given us the gift of Jesus Christ. Christ as the one who gives us salvation, who gives us grace and understanding, Christ who promises us eternal life.
This month we will celebrate Thanksgiving. A time to gather together with loved ones and family and to give thanks for our lives and those in them. Yes, Beloved Community, we have experienced hardships and difficulties. But do you know what we can always say and give thanks for? The fact that we are claimed by Christ.
Let’s say it together again:
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because
He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.
To hear the full song, click here:
I hope you find it as meaningful as I have.