“Today is the beginning of the season of Thanksgiving and celebration of our blessings. Sometimes it’s hard to remember in these turbulent and stressful times how much we have for which we should be grateful. We think of the problems more than the process. The process is to care for and love each other, and to build personal relationships based on integrity and mutual respect.”
By Thanksgiving a year later in 2016, Donald J. Trump had shocked the world by being elected President of the United States. All manner of prognostications were rendered as to future events. The basis of predictions ranged from abstract fear to ebullient joy. What, in fact, has occurred is a great unraveling. Business as usual has no longer been the guiding imperative. Even minor change has been disruptive to the equilibrium of government function.
In addition to the cause and effect of historical events, seemingly unrelated lewd acts by men against women have been uncovered, exposing trusted leaders as less than committed to virtue. These times of trepidation are exacerbated when righteousness appears to have no moorings, providing a minimal foundational anchor to society.
Where then does one turn for security in these times?
It can only be found in the truth.
Thanksgiving was established as a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln at a time of great national angst. It is appropriate that this great president sought truth to bring peace to our great nation in such a time. That seeking encompassed a faith that God was that anchor, providing the confidence that righteousness would prevail. President Lincoln called for Thanksgiving and Gratitude. For one day, to relieve national anxiety, he asked that Americans give thanks for what they have, and for what they hoped for others, rather than what they feared of others. President Lincoln not only gave thanksgiving through gratitude, he depended on the premise that a Sovereign God would maintain Sovereign righteousness. He had confidence in the truth.
At this time of year in 2016, the world waited, with great expectation, on what the election of Donald Trump meant for the United States, but more importantly, what it meant for the nations of the world community. That expectation is the American effect on the world.
Now we find ourselves, as the great unraveling continues, seeking the meaning of these times. The comfort we cherish is ultimately obtained through a confidence in truth. Truth is the eternal principles, not randomly realized, established by a great uncaused cause that is the basis of all purpose, circumstances and outcome of the universe. How one defines this truth becomes the basis for one’s comfort and peace.
For a Christian, it is confidence in the truth that God is in control of all circumstances.
John 16:33 NIV
“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Therefore, in 2015, as a nation, we were grateful for all that we had been blessed. In 2016, we looked internally as the world looked outwardly with expectation. The American effect was reasserted. In 2017, we have now come full circle in dependence on principle. Faith is all we have that there is a cause greater than ourselves. And this cause is righteous.
This Thanksgiving season, I am confident in, dependent upon, and grateful for this Truth.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?