The Bible has much to say about being thankful or giving thanks. For example, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The Psalms contain many exhortations to be thankful. Yet, what happens when a pandemic intersects with protests, looting and basic civil unrest? Add to that a divisive presidential election and rising concerns about health and the economy. The result can be fear, anger, and a list of other imposing emotional concerns. Will Christians, particularly Southern Baptists, celebrate our national Thanksgiving holiday by genuinely giving thanks?
This year has been anything but typical. As we approach Thanksgiving, how will we observe it? Gather together as usual? Contact our loved ones virtually? More importantly, are we thankful during this challenging time? The Courier interviewed several leaders in our state to get their ideas.
South Carolina Baptist Convention Executive Director-Treasurer Gary Hollingsworth said, “In this unusual year, one of the things I am most thankful for is the reality that we serve an almighty, all-powerful and never-changing God! The challenges of 2020 make us pause and ponder our priorities. So much has changed — and yet our God has not.”
Stephen Watson, pastor of Renewal Church of Anderson, said, “The year 2020 has continuously reminded me that my greatest hope in life and death is that I belong to God my Savior Jesus Christ. My hope is not in this world, but in Christ alone. For that, I am thankful beyond measure.”
Laurie Register, executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Woman’s Missionary Union, stated that she was grateful for grace people have shown, which made her “appreciate even more the grace I’ve received from my Savior. I am thankful for relationships — with family, friends and with church leaders across our state. I am also thankful for the technology that continues to bring us together and for a common purpose that keeps us moving forward.”
Delano McMinn, 87-year-old retired director of missions, church planter and pastor, said, “I can quickly tell you that my Thanksgiving this year will center on Jesus and the blessing of His salvation.” His memory verse is Psalm 103:2: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits.”
Josh Powell, SCBC president and pastor of Lake Murray Baptist Church, said, “We have so much to be thankful for. This year of uncertainty has caused me to be reminded of what a blessing it is to know the sure promises of God. I am thankful that He will never fail to keep them.”
Kim Clark, pastor’s wife and public school teacher from Inman, stated that she was thankful for the “opportunities to share the love of Christ through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes with students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to hear about our wonderful Savior. Even though we are not able to meet weekly right now, I can still pray for my FCA students, and I am still able to encourage them.”
Cliff Satterwhite, retired Royal Ambassadors leader and state director of Disaster Relief, said he is “thankful to experience churches discovering new methods of worship and to watch teachers and students adapting to virtual learning and showing how important family is when having to quarantine.”
On Oct. 2, Anderson University held a graduation commencement. Board chairman Don Harper gave the invocation. He said, “I quoted Psalm 118:24: ‘This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.’ My wife, Gerri, and I are thankful that even though these times are uncertain, God is sovereign over these times with certainty. We are thankful that we serve a God who lavishes us with His biblical promises and invites us to study His Word and be transformed by it.”
Thanksgiving Day is a unique day in American history. Family gatherings, big meals and travel have been part of the mix in past years. This year may be different, but the idea behind Thanksgiving is unchanged — pausing to give thanks to God for all His blessings.