Life Matters - December 4, 2024
The poor turkeys. And no, I’m not referring to the liberal political party. As they scramble to make sense of a party, including its far left wing, in finger (or is the word wing?) pointing disarray. When the end ‘’justifies’’ the means to get there we can be very thankful (as in, America) that we are here instead of ‘’there’’ because ‘’there’’ would be another head-long slide down the road toward Sodom. And we know, or can know, what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. When God is done, His judgement is terrifyingly horrible.
But back to the turkeys. God gave a large percentage of the animals to mankind for food (Genesis 9:3) when Noah and his family emerged from their ark, having survived the one and only worldwide, catastrophic, devastating flood, the signs of its judgement waters inundating the world still notable every way we turn today.
We have been serious—and happily so I may add—in accepting God’s mandate to Noah and by extension to us, about the animals. To the tune of approximately 46 million turkeys being consumed on Thanksgiving Day in America. That’s all in one day, at least the obliterating part, as much of the tasty bird remnants are saved for afterwards, although, according to some sad statistics, a lot of meat gets discarded every year. I assume its not prepared the way traditional grandma does it when it comes out of the oven stuffed and roasted to perfection and goes on the table accompanied by other items that are just…mmm.
As I reflect back on the many Thanksgiving Day family dinners I have enjoyed over the years there have been varied arrangements and especially so since we have married children as we discover that our children now get shared with another set of parents. And then I think; well, yea, we did that to our parents too, we got married, and in many ways, moved on…but still…there is no one we love more than our children and grandchildren. Those times when we can all be together are just…special. Times of camaraderie. Times of fun…and serious times…of overlooking each other’s idiosyncrasies…of encouraging each other in our Lord Jesus Christ…of discussing the things that matter. Small talk is good as it leads to larger subjects.
Some lucky turkey somewhere got off the hook as we feasted on delicious Wagyu/Red Angus beef—spiced and roasted to perfection—this year at daughter Eva Joy and family’s house with 3 of our children, some of the grandchildren, and a friend. Sharing children and grandchildren during Thanksgiving holiday was our reality this year, but we are expecting to all be together, except one daughter and family not fitting it in this year, in a 3-day get-together for Christmas. My expectations are pleasantly excited as daughter Carolyn is organizing the grandchildren to do a nativity scene play and program. Except for one missing family, how much better can life get? For us that is; I expect us to fare better than several turkeys stuffed and roasted to perfection accompanied by…mmm. The turkeys have ‘’had their day’’ and now it’s our turn.
As ‘’woke’’ and DEI (diversity equity inclusion) lose their momentum, after this latest political victory for right-wing policies, it is imperative for the church (as a whole) to step into the resulting vacuum with the saving Gospel message of equity and inclusion at the cross of Jesus Christ. Where all have been found equally lost and have found equal opportunity for salvation, to be included in the family of God.
Diverse in color and background with an equal invitation to be included. God and His Word, not people nor turkeys, is the basis for all Truth. I have a sense that for people to look to people as the ultimate arbiters of truth looks about as foolish to God as it would look to us with a turkey on such a pedestal.
As America experiences something of a Constitutional revival let us not forget the former deluded, now disillusioned, among us. Let us be ready always with an answer of the hope that is in us. (I Peter 3:15) May the disillusioned be encouraged to dig deep and discover, or rediscover, the foundation of Truth and Reality. Learning, or relearning, that neither can be spoken into existence, that both reside in, and exude from, God Who Is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) God, Who is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth. (II Peter 3:9) God stirs up the knowledge of truth in each heart and mind. We (as in people) may behave like dumb turkeys at times and the more we hate, and refuse, facing truth the dumber we get but praise God; He has given us a foundation to come back to. To build a life upon. A life worthwhile. Acceptable to God. Our reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
We are made in God’s image. We can know the Truth that sets us free.
Life Matters!