As we approach Thanksgiving Day, our thoughts naturally turn to the good things in our life.
What are you most thankful for? Money or a home? A successful career? Perhaps a loved one
or maybe good health. These are all good things, and we should give thanks for them. But are they enough? Is there more? Solomon was the king of Israel with riches beyond measure. He denied his heart nothing. He had all the wine, women, and songs he wanted. He had wisdom beyond what the world had ever seen. As king of a thriving nation, he had vast power and reputation. Yet it was not enough.
Solomon’s conclusion: Nothing in this world can satisfy. Yes, we should be thankful for what we have, but it will fall short of our deepest longings. Everything in this world is passing away. All will end.
So what Is the answer? What is the secret to a fulfilled life? The answer lies in Jesus Christ. Life is always changing. When we are at the top and all is going well, we know it won’t last forever. We must come down. When the valleys of life are the lowest, we need to remind ourselves that things will get better. Circumstances change, relationships change, health changes. Life is an ever-changing ebb and flow—from the depths of grief to the mountaintop of joy, and everything in between. With all that uncertainty built into life, we long for security, safety, peace, and the simple things. That has never been truer than today. Technology changes our way of life at a dizzying pace. Around the world, the economy, politics, and power are in a constant state of flux.
Terrorists strike unexpectedly. Natural disasters abound. We cannot always count on people, our own abilities, our job, our retirement fund. But there is One we can always depend on.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV
We can always count on Jesus’ unconditional love. We can always depend on Him. It is only through Jesus that we can find lasting security and peace—both in this world and the next.
When the pilgrims left Europe in search of a new life, they left behind the old order of things—wars, revolutions, tyranny, persecution. They risked their lives to come to America and start fresh. God wants us to know we are all pilgrims on this earth. He has placed the desire in our hearts for the invisible, untouchable, unchangeable blessings that this world cannot provide.
We have a new world before us that beckons: heaven, eternity with God. How do we get there? Thomas asked Jesus how we could find our way. Here is His reply.
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV
This world is temporary. We are born, we live, we die. But God has prepared a new world for us. In that new world there will be no more tears, no more death, no more crying or pain. We live in our current world for such a short time—but we will live in that new and perfect world forever. It’s awesome to think that God has prepared such a place for us!
This Thanksgiving Day, thank God for your many blessings in this life. But be more thankful for Jesus and for what is yet to come. Remember, we are pilgrims on a journey to eternity.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 NIV
