Thanksgiving is a time to build family relationships. Stories are told and songs are sung. Family togetherness is celebrated. Memories are shared and reflected upon. Today I offer a story that compels one toward thoughtful reflection.
A Gripping Desire
I stood there in front of the ornately designed gates. They were beautiful in all their detail. The gold sheen that radiated from them took my breath away. Moreover, the landscape on the other side was compellingly beautiful. I longed to roam the hills and valleys of that country beyond the gates.
But there seemed no way to enter. No levers or handles were found on the gates after a closer inspection. I pushed, but to no avail. Maybe I wasn’t dressed right or my performance had been less than perfect. Yes, that could be the reason the gates were not open to me. I had heard stories of the wonderful land beyond those gleaming gates. I had known others who had entered and were welcomed by the Almighty King. Why were the gates closed to me?
With one last longing glance I turned away, determined to find the right apparel to grant me entrance. The next time I stood at the gates, I was dressed according to Kingdom specifications. There was no detail that had been overlooked. Yet, the gates were still shut.
Once again, I turned away from the radiant gates still robed in my finest. I must not have done enough good deeds or maybe I had not fulfilled my quota of church attendance. Could it be I had not given enough money into the church treasury?
The Specifications Performed
All of these I carefully performed. Not leaving one thing I knew to do undone. When there was a call to help with the homeless program, I was there. At every service, you could find me in attendance robed in Kingdom apparel. In addition, my money I freely gave to build up the treasury of the church. Finally I felt confident I had done enough to be able to enter into the land on the other side of those beautiful gates.
With assurance I made my way down the path until I could see the gleaming gates in the distance. I was certain the way would be open. For I was dressed in the Kingdom’s finest apparel. Furthermore, I had good deed upon good deed applied to my account. My church attendance had not been lacking and I had freely given in all the offerings presented to me.
A Yearning Denied
Lighthearted, I rounded the curve but much to my dismay the gates were still closed. Flabbergasted, I drew closer. No handles or levers to open the gate had magically appeared. I pushed but the gated remained shut tight. I could not countenance the thought that they did not open after all my efforts. It had become the longing of my heart to traverse the land beyond the gates. Why oh why could I not enter?
In despair, I flung myself onto the ground in front of the gates mindless of rumpling my garments. Heart rending sobs shook my body as I knelt in front of the gates. There seemed to be no way for me to reach my heartfelt desire. My yearning for a relationship with God seemed destined to come to naught. As my sobs quieted, in my spirit I recalled words from the Scriptures I had heard long ago.
An Invitation to Dwell
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Isaiah 57:15
Subsequently, as these words reverberated through my heart and soul I realized a truth I had missed. This wasn’t a performance based relationship nor something that could be bought. In fact, the God I longed to know offered to me a gift of love and forgiveness. Moreover, there was nothing that I could do that would make God love me more. I just needed to express my repentance for the sins in my heart, though to all outward appearance there were none. Yet I knew. And yes, God knew.
As I knelt in contrition, I realized anew the greatness of the God I longed to know. Certainly, this invitation to dwell with God was offered to the ones with a contrite and humble spirit. On the other hand, it was not offered to the one who thought that they could do enough, be enough or give enough.
The Entrance Obtained through Thanksgiving
I rose and stood in front of the gates with tear streaked face and rumpled clothes. I had nothing to bring to the High and Lofty One but the gift of a contrite and humble spirit. My eyes caught an etching on the gates I had never noticed before. Consequently, I leaned closer and then read aloud.
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto him and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting: and his truth endureth to all generations.”
Psalm 100:4-5
The key to unlocking these gates and entering into this land was thanksgiving and praise. My heart took wing as I recalled the mercy and goodness of God. Meanwhile, with face lifted upward I began to praise and thank the God of heaven. What forgiveness he granted! How great his love for mankind! His mercy was everlasting!
My heart burgeoned with praise and thanksgiving as the gleaming gates opened and I stepped into the land of my hearts desire. I entered through the gates with thanksgiving and into the courts of God with praise. His welcoming smile drew me closer and I found myself enveloped in the arms of God.
The Life of Thanksgiving
Just an allegory. A story meant to bring home the thought of how much value God places on a humble and contrite spirit, as well as the offering of praise and thanksgiving. Our relationship with God is not based on who we are or what we do. Rather it begins with the love of God for broken humanity. God offers us a relationship out of his great heart of love.
This Thanksgiving may your hearts rise in thankfulness and praise to the High and Holy One who extends a welcome to each of us to dwell in the courts of God. Live out your moments and your days with thanksgiving. Your life can become an offering of praise to the Holy One.
A full life is offered to us as thankfulness becomes a part of our daily habits. Thanksgiving is not to be just one day out of the year. It is to be lived out every day of the year. Let us purpose to turn our days into a life of “Thanks-living” that we may dwell in the courts of our God.
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