If you have written much on a computer, whether on a chat room, Facebook, or other social media, you have discovered that WRITING ALL IN CAPS IS THE SAME AS SHOUTING. When was the last time you shouted in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord as loudly as you have laughed at a joke, yelled at your children, or raised your voice so you are heard above any kind of din whether at home, church, shopping…anyplace?
On Thanksgiving many people will be gathering with friends and family to celebrate the bounties we have…even the least of us…and hopefully, we will thank God for our blessings.
Following the meal…and the nap, of course…many people will settle down to watch the Green Bay Packers play the Detroit Lions. If it is later in the afternoon, they will be watching the Miami Dolphins at the Dallas Cowboys. My guess is that if there are two or more people watching, there will be considerable shouting, urging, groaning, and cheering…and it will be loud. It will also be done with enthusiasm and with a great sense of joy and camaraderie. We give ourselves permission to shout, cheer, jump up and down at these events. Maybe that is one reason we enjoy them so much. We let loose with how we feel in a “safe” place where nobody will criticize us for our behavior.
When was the last time you spoke to God in such a fashion? Have you ever spoken to him with the kind of enthusiasm we witness and experience at ballgames, other sports, theater performances. I know I have shouted BRAVO any number of times and yelled like crazy at ball games, but to shout THANK YOU LORD never happened until I came home from church last Sunday. I said, “THANK YOU LORD!” in an empty apartment…except for God and me. I felt stupid…and delighted all at the same time…and I smiled from ear to ear.
We have ample Biblical reference to expressing Thanksgiving. Think of David. He praised the Lord with dancing, singing, trumpets, harps, lutes, castanets, cymbals, tambourines. His wife, Michal, didn’t appreciate his demonstration of thanksgiving one little bit.
2 Samuel 6.
I hope the day will come when we can express our delight, praise, and thanks to God in the same way we express our enthusiasm in other circumstances. Yes, I was taught to be quiet in church, but I like hearing our pastor’s booming voice say, “THANK YOU LORD!” In fact, I love hearing him thank God with such vigor and exuberance and sincerity. THANK YOU, PASTOR KURT!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE. THANK YOU LORD for one and all.
Tags: Blessings, God, Joy, thanksgiving
