Filled to the Brim
What a joy it is to be called Children of God! In Matthew 18, Jesus tells us of the richness of being like children, saying, "[children] are the greatest in Heaven." For me, I find myself having my most childlike posture during the holiday season. I am sure all the other Fellows reading this are nodding their heads with a chuckle as they have richly experienced my love of the season. The times of Thanksgiving and Advent fill my heart with an abundance of wonder and gratitude that pours out of me like a clogged kitchen sink that was left on. In light of this, while I do love to marvel at the greatness and wonder of our Lord, I want to focus my blog on the spirit of Thanksgiving. What does God have to say about thankfulness, and in this particular season, what am I thankful for?
Thanksgiving is more than just one day in November – it is a Biblical principle embedded in the Christian lifestyle. Psalm 100:4 tells us to "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise!" It brings our Father joy when we give thanks for what is ultimately His. Colossians 3:17 furthers this notion, stating, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Each and everything we encounter on God's created earth is an opportunity to give thanks to Jesus. Our lives, our families and friends, and our life as we know it are all truly gifts God gives us.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
The Bible extends this even deeper by telling us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This here is a much more radical idea of thankfulness. What did Paul mean when he wrote about giving thanks in all circumstances? How is one supposed to give thanks to God through the highs of life and the lows as well? I wrestle with this question often. But it is Paul who answers this by assuring us in Ephesians 2:8-9, "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your doing: it is the gift of God." Our Heavenly Father gave His one and only Son for us to pay the ultimate price for us. If we were saved based on our name, woe to us! We have been saved fully in Jesus' perfect and precious name. So, I give thanks for this ultimate reality! The goodness and beauty of this truth do not mean our sufferings or pains are meaningless. Nor does it mean our lives will be full of rosy red days and ceaseless smiles. Instead, in those times of pain and hurt, we can give thanks that while we are far from deserving of God's love, He desires to love and comfort us.
Now, to segway into a few words of thanks from my own life. First and foremost, through writing this blog in this season of gratitude, I am so incredibly thankful for Jesus. I cannot even imagine how I would navigate this world without knowing the beauty of Jesus' love for me. I am grateful for John's reminder in 1 John 3:1, saying, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God." Father, thank you for making us your children!
I am beyond thankful for this Nashville Fellows community. The 12 other fellows and our NFP staff have been such a gift and answered prayer. The ability to do life alongside these humble and empathetic people has challenged me to grow in my faith and understanding of the world. We get to share our stories, which is always a vulnerable time, but the Holy Spirit is undeniably present in that vulnerability. I am thankful for John's and Sally's consistent guidance and care for us. They pour out so much of themselves to serve us. Thank you to the entire Nashville Fellows Program Board for their intentional work to help equip us for this new chapter of life. I am thankful for all of our excellent teachers so far this year. By far, my favorite day of the week is Monday. Every Monday morning is packed full of rich teaching; thanks to Scotty Smith and Morgan Johnson for leading our metanarrative Bible study through God's Big Picture and to the various teachers who have taught us in our practical theology classes. How I view the world, my place within this world, my call to vocation, my call to friendships and relationships, and ultimately, my own salvation have all been expanded to a grand depth saturated with the love of Christ.
I am thankful for all of our leaders in Nashville's community who have come to share parts of their stories with us on Monday afternoons. I can confidently speak on behalf of all 13 of us Fellows when hearing their stories of faith and work provides us with a sense of comfort and motivation. Each week, we are left inspired and eager to see what the Lord has wonderfully crafted for our own stories. I am deeply thankful for the generosity and care of my host family. Their love and provision are true pictures of God's love for us. Lastly, I am grateful for the community at Covenant Presbyterian. I have been welcomed into their church family with the utmost care.
Oh, what a joy it is to be called children of God! I am filled to the brim with a deep sense of gratitude this holiday season. For the Fellows, for the abundance of love from the Nashville community, my family (both actual family and host family), the gift of laughter, and ultimately, the gift of Jesus!
Drew Snyder Class 11
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Graduate of Wake Forest University, NC
