A PERILOUS JOURNEY

 This was written November 20, 1997 by me to our church family... I share it with you now as the message is timeless, and wish for you a most wonderful and grateful Thanksgiving celebration.


  Dear Family in Christ:
 

I wonder what the first pilgrim’s where thinking as they crossed the vast ocean ...from a place that they knew and were familiar with, to a distant land of uncertainty.  As they looked out over the deck of the ship, it’s as if I can almost hear one of them speaking to God saying:

“Father, I’m a pilgrim far from the world I once knew. 

  One of coldness and oppression, which tried to keep me far from you.
  I have left that world behind to follow your command
  To venture out to a place unknown .. to reach the “Promised Land. 
  Father, you’re the one who holds the keys to life and liberty. 
  Please hold my hand as I press on, trusting your love as I cross this sea.”

What were they feeling... these pilgrims that left the old behind?  What were they thinking?  Were they like you and me?  What perils they had to endure and what challenges they were yet to encounter.  Leaving the old behind for a dream.. a vision of  liberty to worship their God openly and freely. 

 

As they looked out onto the endless ocean, did they ever think about the story of Peter.. and how you bid him out of the boat (the familiar place of comfort and safety) and called him to do the impossible.  Did they look at the waves of circumstances of what might be before them and feel like they could never walk on water with you, Jesus?  Or did they know that you would be there to constantly lift them up when they felt like they were going to drown?

When stormy waves lashed against the sides of their ship, where they comforted as they remembered the one who spoke to the storms and said “Peace, be still”.   Did you speak deeply into their hearts and encourage them that no matter what they would be going through, or whatever they would encounter... you would be there to hear their cry, and you would answer.

These men, women and children of destiny were very much like the Israelites that left Egypt weren’t they, Lord?  They were some of the original “BRAVEHEARTS”  blazing a trail for us.  Thank you Lord, for empowering them with boldness and assurance by your  Holy Spirit to defy the odds, and to endure difficulty.  Lord, make us like them.  Instill in our hearts such a thankfulness of the gift that you gave in your Son, Jesus... that we  would be willing to grapple with the unknown and overcome adversity.

After such a difficult first year in their new world, the pilgrims must have been over-whelmingly thankful just to be alive at that first Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in America has always been about life, both spiritually and physically.

Let us give thanks this year for life.  LA CHAIM is a Hebrew word that means “To Life”.   The Jewish people click their glasses together as they say:  “La Chaim”, remembering, and praising  God’s goodness.

Thank you, Lord for life. Thank you most of all for our spiritual life, the greatest gift of all, our relationship with Jesus. We celebrate your grace upon our lives this Thanks-giving.  May we take that life and live it to the fullest, and help us to give our lives to others.  Help us to realize we are not an island, you created us to be community and family and to share whatever gifts and talents you have given to us with others.  

I hope thanking God is the supreme joy of your life.  God is not only the object of our affection, but He is our source for everything. Psalm 16:11 says: "Thou dost show me the path of life, in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures forevermore".  Thank you Lord, for showing us the path of life.  Our joy is in YOU.  Your gifts and love are forever.

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING DEAREST ONES

YOU ARE LOVED!

Pastor Donna 1997

Heart To Heart Christian Church