A Taste of Home - Pt 2

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV).

The longing rises, even in the midst of our thankfulness. Something is not yet complete. The world strains under its own pressure. Our hearts cry out for redemption, for rest from this darkness. We cry out for our God. The ultimate longing underneath all we crave is to be at home with him. Perhaps the only remaining holiday in heaven will be Thanksgiving. In this world, we live with thankful longing. We know that the world has been set right, and this is why we’re thankful, but its rightness is still being disseminated. We are left longing, because God is not yet done pursuing. We must humbly give him space for his own longing. In this in-between, we create imitations of our real home through the table, the talk, and the giving of thanks. When we gather with friends and family and lift our meager words of thanksgiving to God, we may briefly pause the advance of age and time with our traditions and tastes. It foreshadow our heavenly home. As we will do there, we turn our attention to the host, who has provided a bountiful feast of celebration and gladly serves all who’ve come to the table. We enjoy the company of our family, past and present. We accept with gladness the offered food that satisfies and cup that quenches. We receive all we’ve been given with humble thanksgiving. Today, I encourage you to let this Thanksgiving be a taste of home. Make your family’s traditional foods, watch your family’s traditional movies, and play your family’s traditional games. And, when a twinge of longing attaches to your thanks-giving, remember that this was set in our hearts by our great God and Savior. We’re all hungry. We’re all thirsty. We’re all weary and heavy laden. Let the longing for a true north lead you to Christ and an anticipation of what’s to come. In your rest from work, know that he who began a good work in us will carry it to completion. Pass out appetizers of grace and truth, preparation for the feast to come. Love wildly. Forgive tirelessly. Thank him unabashedly. In all things, imitate and anticipate the final Thanksgiving table and a place where all our longings will finally find their home. And, if there are empty chairs at your table, remember that they will all be filled someday when our time to go home is at hand! Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!