Thanksgiving

"For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of theupward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:3-14

For some reason this passage came to mind this morning. As I began reading it over and over, it became clear what God was reminding me. I have much to be proud of - much that I could boast of in the flesh - my family, my heritage, my upbringing, my accomplishments in school, and my willingness to leave my home and go to the nations. Pride is such a fickle thing. It tempts us to make the gifts God has blessed us with into trophies we can claim. Today, that is not so. I am reminded of His great gift - Christ's death and resurrection. As Paul says, whatever things were gain to me I count as loss compared to knowing Christ my Lord - that I may know Him, the power of His resurrection, and fellowship with Him in His sufferings - to press on to lay hold of the one who has laid hold of me! So today, I forget what lies behind me and reach forward to what lies ahead - eternal glory with Christ. This does not mean I am ignoring my past. No, I look at it in the light of what is to come and all that He has done. I have been blessed with an incredible family that I cherish and love deeply. I am so thankful for them. They have molded me and set me like an arrow on the path He created me for. I am thankful for the heritage and blessing He gave them to pass on to me - that gift is only found in and through Him. I am thankful for the education and wisdom He has provided me. I am reminded today more than ever that these gifts were given to motivate me all the more to press on to the goal He has called me to - to know Him, to walk in His power, and share in His sufferings to the glory of His name. 

So, today I am thankful for a God who would choose to die for me even when I was a sinner and did not deserve it. I am thankful for the godly parents and siblings that He gave me to prepare my heart to know Him before I was willing to give Him my life. And I am thankful for every moment I get to walk in obedience to His will.