As I sit on this couch post-thanksgiving feast, feeling five pounds heavier and five minutes away from the inevitable tryptophan coma, my heart is overwhelmed. Dang, The Lord has blessed me with so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for my family, my friends, good health, the Cleveland Browns having a shot at the playoffs for the first time since the stone age, my last year at Ohio State, my ministry, real, honest relationships that push me towards Jesus, the opportunity to be a World Racer, the lists goes on and on.
It seems easy to me to, though, to become infatuated with all that I have. Wow, how blessed am I! I have so much to be thankful for! But to be honest, all those “things” are just a bunch of fluff. When I take an authentic look at my heart, all I’m doing is elevating gifts above giver. Jesus is the heart, the root, the beginning, and the end. If I lose sight of that, man, am I missing out.
I can’t help but recall a sermon by John Piper in which he encourages his listeners, “Get alone with God every day and preach His word into your mind until your heart sings with confidence that you are new and cared for”. So, what I’m really thankful for is Jesus’ heart for me.
I am thankful that I am new, and I am cared for. I’m thankful that the God of the Universe loves me, cares for me, finds value in me, and believes in me. I’m thankful that at just the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. I’m thankful that my sin doesn’t disqualify me from the prize; that just because I’m a messy work in progress, Jesus doesn’t say, “No, I’d rather not”, but dives in head first to my mess. I’m thankful that His ears are not to dull to hear, nor His arms too short to save. I am thankful that out of His fullness, I have received grace upon grace. I’m thankful that I can approach His throne of grace with confidence to receive grace and mercy. I’m thankful that He didn’t repay me according to what my sins deserve. I’m thankful that His love is better than life, that His foolishness is wiser than my wisdom, and that His weakness is stronger than my strength. I’m thankful that His grace is sufficient. I’m thankful that He knows me fully; that He understands me better than I understand myself. I’m thankful that I don’t have to jump through hoops, muster up enough courage, or buy into any silly system of thinking for Him to love me. I’m thankful that by His wounds I am healed. I’m thankful that He is sanctifying me, that He loves me too much to leave me wallowing in my sin. I’m thankful that my shortcomings don’t intimidate Him. I’m thankful for eternal joy and fullness of life in this world, and eternity in Heaven with my Savior in the next. I’m thankful that His promises are the truest things I have ever known.
Forget the turkey, I’m thankful that I am a Son of the King.
Life Update — Hi again everyone! From the bottom of my heart, whether I know you well, or we’ve never met, thank you so much for reading my blog. As for me, I am enjoying the holidays with my family. My next to last semester at OSU is coming to a close in a matter of weeks (crazy, right?)! I am finishing up my job at the OSU Wexner Medical Center and transitioning to a new internship opportunity with OhioHealth next semester, which I am super excited about! I have been busy this semester with Young Life and am overwhelmed with what Jesus is doing in that ministry. I truly feel so blessed to be a part of it. I am blown away by The Lord’s faithfulness in my walking with Him through this process of being a World Racer as well. The last few weeks have been full of support letters and follow-up! The first round should be to their destinations by now. If you haven’t received a letter from me, but would like one, please let me know! I would love to send you one with more information as to what The Lord is doing in my life and how you can help me carry it out! A big thank you to everyone who has given to my trip so far! As of now, I have received $3,251 towards my fundraising goal of $16,250. Thank you all so incredibly much, hope to talk with you soon.
Love,
Nate
P.S. Please feel free to “share” my blog in any way you see fit! Happy Thanksgiving!
