November 2008

Hard to Give Thanks?

Many will have a more difficult time this year being thankful. The economy has put us in an ungrateful mood and whatever the outcome of the election, things may get worse or at least take a long time to get better.

How can we give thanks in our current circumstances? The first Thanksgiving puts things into perspective. Life for the Pilgrims was not as rosy as we might think.

The Pilgrims left their homeland because they were being tortured for their religious beliefs. They sought the New World to gain freedom to live out their faith. (They desired freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.)

They risked their lives to journey across the ocean. Upon landing in Massachusetts on Dec. 26, 1620, they lacked provisions and shelter. William Bradford's wife drowned disembarking from the Mayflower. Most became sick within weeks. Only 7 of the 17 husbands, and 3 of the 17 wives survived after three months. By April more than half of the population that came on the Mayflower died of disease or famine.

By summer, the Pilgrims did learn from Native Americans how to plant corn, hunt, and fish. Although the first Thanksgiving was that Fall, a month later they had to restrict themselves to half-rations. It was several years before they were out of danger of starvation.

How did the Pilgrims' gratitude flourish against such harsh circumstances and how did they continue to believe in a sovereign, loving God?

• Even before leaving England, they had made it a habit to set aside days throughout the year to acknowledge and praise God for His mercies and faithfulness. They developed an attitude of thankfulness that carried them through any adversity of life. Thanksgiving was much more than a big dinner once a year.

• They kept eternal consequences in view and drew purpose in the belief that their accomplishments were, according the Mayflower Compact, “for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith.” They looked beyond personal fulfillment, provision, and survival.

• They depended upon God for help. They did not expect, nor insist on becoming self-sufficient. Governor John Winthrop concluded a message to his fellow settlers with Deut. 30:20 saying, "For the Lord is our life and our prosperity." They faced each day trusting in God's presence and care.

• They developed an interdependence upon one another and the Native Americans that is rarely seen in our modern culture of independence. More than 50 Pilgrims and 90 Indians, from toddlers to elderly, from servants to seamen, were present at the first Thanksgiving. They found comfort and support in depending upon each another.

Our funds may dwindle, but my prayer is that our thanks to God will multiply as we draw together in community and share with one another through the love of Jesus.

By Pastor Jonathan Lee, (inspired by Shirley Dobson)

Hard to Give Thanks?

難以感恩?

對許多人來說，今年會是難以感恩的一年。無論選舉的結果如何，經濟已逼使我去到一個無恩可感的地步。情況可能變得更糟，或者至少要花很長時間才能復甦。

我們在現今的情況下可以如何去感恩呢？第一個感恩節帶出一個觀點，清教徒的生活並不是我們想像中的美好。

清教徒因著自己的宗教信仰受盡逼迫而選擇離開家園，他們尋求的是一個信仰自由的新世界。 （他們想要的是宗教信仰的自由，而非從宗教中得自由。 ）

他們冒著生命危險橫渡大洋彼岸，在1620年12月26日登陸於麻薩諸塞州，當時缺乏糧食和安身之所。William Bradford的妻子就是在五月花號的航程中淹死。大多數人在登陸後幾週內都染病；3個月後，17對夫婦中只剩下7個丈夫和3個妻子。 至4月時，乘五月花號到達的人已有一半以上死於疾病或飢餓。

到夏天，清教徒已從美國土著學習到如何種玉米、打獵、和捕魚。雖然第一個感恩節始於這年的秋季，但一個月後，他們已不得不將自己口糧減半以積穀防飢。幾年後飢荒危機始能完全解決。

清教徒如何能在這種惡劣的情況下感恩呢？又如何依然信靠這位滿有權柄、仁愛的神呢？

• 就算在離開英國前，他們已經養成了每年都以一段日子來感謝、讚美神的恩慈和信實的習慣。他們養成了一種使他們在任何生活逆境中都能持守的感恩態度。感恩節是遠遠超過每年一次的大餐。

• 根據五月花契約， 〝為上帝的光榮和進深的基督教信仰。〞 他們仰望永恆的果子，並認定他們所要爭取的目的。他們所看見的是超越自我實現、供應、和生存。

• 他們倚靠神的幫助，從不期望或刻意要自給自足。總督John Winthrop引用了申命記 30:20〝因為主是我們的生命和繁榮〞來總結他對同行者的講話。他們都以信靠神的同在和看顧來面對每一天。

• 他們養成一種在現代的〝獨立文化〞中極罕見的現象，就是與美國土著相互依存。 超過 50 多名清教徒和 90 名印第安人，從年幼到年長的、從奴僕到海員，都出席了第一個感恩節。他們在相互依存下得著安慰和支持。

我們的財富可能會漸少，但我祈求當我們彼此親就及在耶穌的愛裡互相分享時，我們對神的感恩能夠倍增。

李振倫牧師