Many of you attended the Thanksgiving Celebration last Friday. It was another chance to celebrate abundance with loved ones—what a gift!
My wife Linda and I were blessed with a visit from her parents who joined us for the Celebration. They made the trek from Missouri to be with us, and it was amazing. Having the opportunity to spend the holiday with a couple who has spent 67 years of holidays together is God-at-work on many levels. Throughout their relationship, this couple has exemplified joy, stewardship, trust, and obedience to the Father in their reliance on the Holy Spirit.
“God at work” is the center of stewardship at Front Range Christian, and biblical stewardship is a key factor in the growth of our school. I am blessed to be able to share my testimony and hear the stories of others in our community. My goal is to help build our community by finding commonalities as I encourage others in their growth in Jesus. He is the one who makes joy and abundance possible in our lives. His work in our school results in a spiritually transformed community.
One of the lessons the Holy Spirit teaches, and helps us live out in practice, is understanding and accepting that nothing we have is ours—all of it belongs to God. When we reach this transformational stage in our spiritual growth, we can fully admit to and revel in our full dependence on Him.
Here are a few thoughts to ponder as you reflect on this holiday season. Try considering how you can be generous in your attempts to match them.
- Unimportant motives lose traction as we rely on our truly transformed heart. Christ is generous and our number one desire becomes following His lead in all we say and do.
- Making this mindset our default requires obedience (Deuteronomy 6:13-19), and it’s required as a part of a Jesus-centered relationship. Christ is our “All in All,” so being obedient is the natural outgrowth of a vibrant understanding of the Holy Spirit.
- Being holy is what we are called to in Leviticus 19:2, and the desire to act and think differently is what propels our idea of stewardship. Any sacrifice we make falls woefully short of the sacrifice Christ made for us, but sacrifice is required.
- The struggle of a stewardship decision is common when we are not focused on God and the Great Commission. But take heart! We are provided an internal guide. We read in John 14:13-16 that we are promised “another helper” whom we can trust for guidance in all situations. Therefore leaning on the Holy Spirit is the best way to gain help, comfort, and counsel.
It is my prayer that each of us understands true thanksgiving this season. I know my family will be focused on our gratefulness to a heavenly Father who has not only offered us an abundant life, but continually guides us in our enjoyment of it. We are blessed to share His gifts with joy and obedience, and I hope you feel that blessing as well!
