PAUSE, REMEMBER AND GIVE THANKS

While browsing the internet, I landed on a site that informed me of special days during the month of November to remember and celebrate someone special or some significant event. I am not going to list or highlight all of them in this newsletter but somethings that are relevant for us as a church.

On November 2, the church worldwide will celebrate “All Saints Day.” This is a day to remember the “great cloud of witnesses,” who kept and passed on the faith for future generations. This is the text that is often read on All Saints Day. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1) This verse is right after the author tells us of the great heroes of faith. Not all of them were gifted with special abilities but these are ones who remained faithful until their life’s end. Moreover, as I have often pointed out that saints are not necessarily people with extraordinary gifts instead ordinary folks like you and me who have set themselves apart for the work of God. I think it is something extraordinary to be considered as saints of God. 

It is Martin Luther, the early church reformer, who called every Christian both a sinner and a saint. Luther used this Latin phrase to describe every Christian’s identity – “Simul Iustus et Peccator.” (Simultaneously Justified and Sinful) “The Christian is, at the same time, wholly (totus) a sinner, who deserves God’s temporal and eternal punishment, and wholly (totus) righteous* before God on account of Jesus.” On November 2, we are reminded of our brokenness and at the same time be thankful for God’s redemptive grace. 

The week of November 4 through 8 is remembered as Stress Awareness Week. It is time that the church addresses the issues related to stress. Not only are adults faced with stressful situations but many of our young adults and even our young children in schools are faced with enormous amount of stress. Stress can be both external and internal. I believe the scripture rightly states to offer our stress and anxious moments to a God who deeply cares. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) This is also a time to remind ourselves about proper “self-care.” Since creation, God’s institution of Sabbath is a way to lose control of our lives to a God who is always in control. Sabbath was not just a suggestion but a divine command to self-care. I believe we are called to pray for people who work in highly stressful environments and offer them to God.

November 13 is marked as World Kindness Day. On this day, remember or tell a story of how one act of kindness that you received from someone impacted you. It also can be an act of kindness that you extended to someone and that made all the difference in their life. I know many of you do these Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) daily.

I thank God for each one of you and I know many of you extend yourself to help others and that have made their life a whole lot easier. Jesus was very particular about these acts of kindness that we do to the least of these. 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

And finally, of course, on Thanksgiving Day,remember and give thanks for the gifts that you have received but most importantly the Giver. Remember to give thanks for the people who have enriched your life by their sheer presence and their active and engaged listening to all the painful and joyful stories that you shared. Here is what the psalmist says about our thanks to the Giver: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1). It is not just His love, rather His steadfast (Hesed) and fierce love. The verse that I really like in this psalm is this: He remembered us in our low estate, His love endures forever. (v 23). God did not love us when we “got our act together,” rather while we were still sinners that Christ died for us. 

So, take the time to mark your calendars and remember to do something for someone as we journey through the month of November. I am truly grateful for your partnership in the gospel, and I pray and commit your families as we make this journey to Thanksgiving Day and beyond. 

1 h t t p s : / / w w w . m a i l e r l i t e . c o m / b l o g / n o v e m b e r – n e w s l e t t e r – i d e a s

2 h t t p s : / / w w w . 1 5 1 7 . o r g / a r t i c l e s / s i m u l t a n e o u s l y – r i g h t e o u s – a n d – s i n n e r – a n – i n t r o d u c t i o n # : ~ : t e x t = L u t h e r % 2 0 p u t % 2 0 i t % 2 0 t h i s % 2 0 w a y , i . e . % 2 C % 2 0 t h e y % 2 0 w i l l % 2 0 b e c o m e % 2 0 h e a l t h y