Standing Firm in Thanksgiving – Embracing Mutual Submission

At this time of year, the word “thanksgiving” brings up memories of warm pies lining the counter, bowls overflowing with mashed potatoes and rutabaga, and roasted turkey bulging with homemade stuffing (that has only ever been made with Newfoundland savoury of course). Perhaps it is your tradition to feast at Thanksgiving too. I hope so.

Giving Thanks

In a timely alignment of writing this blog just before Canadian Thanksgiving, and our journey through the book of Ephesians, I arrived at the middle of Ephesians chapter five today. There, the Apostle Paul is encouraging us to be – thankful.

“always giving thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:20 (NET

The “R” of the SPIRE

When the apostle Paul called us to thankfulness in this verse, he was thinking of more than just an appreciation for turkey dinners. He placed the topic of thankfulness in the center of a chapter on relationships. He addressed the “R” of the SPIRE directly. Paul began Ephesians chapter five by describing what it looked like to live in the light and love of Christ. He ended Ephesians chapter five with counsel on the primary relationships in ancient households. He wanted us to think about thankfulness in light of friends and family.

Thankful For My Friend

This week I am especially grateful that I could spent time face-to-face with a dear friend, former National Connections Director, and inSPIRE group leader. Some of you reading this may know Shirley, and if so, you are (surely) thankful, along with me, for her tireless work for the gospel and her fearless faith. She won’t be feasting on turkey in the usual way this year as she navigates new limits on an unexpected journey through cancer. Yet, Shirley carved out this sweet time to spend together. I give God thanks.

Who Are You Thankful For?

Today, why not join me in thinking of not ‘what’ you are thankful for, but ‘who’? Maybe it’s possible to invite your ‘who’ to join you at your Thanksgiving table. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Regardless, we can and should always express thanks to God for the gift that friends or family members are to us. Have you considered how you will give thanks to God this Thanksgiving season? Who are you thankful for?

More Than Thanksgiving

Paul went on from encouraging us to give thanks in Ephesians 5:20, to add another challenge in Ephesians 5:21. When we have set the foundation of thanks in relationship, we are then called to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

“and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” Ephesians 5:21 (NET)

I recently witnessed a powerful example of submission in action when I attended a meeting. One of the leaders around the table communicated some things that several of us did not agree with. In wisdom and grace, an attendee shared a story that revealed another angle to the issue in a wise, respectful and humble way. Through mutual submission, our mission and ministry were reinforced in love and respect rather than side-lined by conflict.

Submission and its Misuse

I don’t always know how to submit in the idyllic way of Christ, but I am called towards this. Sadly, I must say that the concept of submission has been misused and applied to oppress or suppress some people. Significantly, Paul is not empowering those who would demand submission from others but encouraging those of us with agency towards a voluntary, mutual submission.

Submission and the Way of Christ

Philippians 2:3-11 identifies the remarkable way of Christ in human relationships. The incarnated Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be used to his advantage, rather emptied himself and took on the nature of a servant. Hebrews 5:7-10 describes Jesus offering prayer, petition, fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him. Yet, he was obedient and submitted in reverence to suffering and death, for our sakes.

Most of us will not be called to submission in such extreme circumstances, but perhaps the example of Christ can help put our opportunities for submission in perspective and spur us on.

Thanksgiving and Submission at our Tables

As we plan our Thanksgiving feasts, let’s pray that the Spirit of God would guide us in thanksgiving and in mutual submission, out of reverence for Christ, as we gather gratefully around tables with friends and family.