Sharing Jesus at Thanksgiving for ‘Normal’ People
For a follower of Jesus, Thanksgiving can be…awkward. You get together with a lot of family members and do some wacky stuff and at some point it’s decided that you should pray for the meal in the only moment of somber reflection throughout the day because you, ‘go to church.’
Sharing who Jesus is in this season can be difficult but there are also more natural openings than many other times of the year. You have the opportunity to genuinely offer a listening ear to what’s happening in the lives of family and friends. I think sometimes we feel like we have to be the mega-Christian with the coffee mug displaying the Gospel everywhere we go but thanksgiving gives us a much easier threshold of engagement with family and friends looking for hope.
Even Peter knew this strategy and challenged us to share the Gospel within the framework of relationship and explaining why we have hope (1 Peter 3:15). A casual conversation by the fire, in the backyard, or while watching the game can have eternal significance. Additionally around the spirit of thanksgiving I think it’s important we help people understand why we are really thankful and who we offer that thankfulness to. We should offer praise to God, who has supplied every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). It’s obviously a risk and anyone who tells you that talking about a relationship with God through Jesus’ work on the cross isn’t a risk isn’t be honest.
Two years ago I took a risk with someone in a normal conversation who was going through a really challenging time and after a 2 hour discussion the afternoon of an average family holiday he prayed to receive Christ. Take the risk…it’s worth it.
PS. See you at Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7:30p!
Great Post, Bro! Really appreciated the wisdom and the reminder of James 1:17 as I’ll be filling that roll this weekend.
Much love,
Mark