Thanksgiving Advice
I’ve only been pulled over by the police a handful of times, and almost all of them have been while traveling for Thanksgiving. I’ll spare you every detail…but once in college I got pulled over after I had already pulled over because there was no rest stop for many, many miles. Turns out you can’t use the side of the road as a “comfort station,” even in the middle of nowhere, Texas.
While they had us pulled over, they became suspicious that my brother and I had stolen our car…because we had driver’s licenses from one state and plates from another.
Listen, I’ve never stolen a car, but if I did, it definitely wouldn’t be a salmon-colored 1994 Ford Escort Station Wagon.
My friends called it the Salmon Wagon.
My dad called its color “Tucson Bronze.”
And yes, they did ask if we were transporting stolen goods or if there were drugs in the car. My brother said, “We have allergy meds”…I don’t think that’s what they meant.
They let us go…but I did get a written warning for indecent exposure.
Then six years ago I got pulled over in a small town in Oklahoma. Multiple police pulled up, before they even came to the window they were walking around our van, shining lights in…it felt like something else was going on.
The usual conversation happened when they came to my window.
“Do you know why I pulled you over?”
“No.”
“You were speeding.”
“I didn’t know.”
“Where are you going?”
“Missouri.”
“Whose car is this?”
“Mine.”
“License and insurance please.”
“Okay.”
“Also, this car has been reported stolen.”
Suddenly it all came into focus, all the extra police, them inspecting the vehicle, were because he saw an out-of-state minivan speeding in the middle of the night. He thinks this is another stolen car situation. Again, if I would steal a car, it definitely wouldn’t be a 2011 Honda Odyssey Minivan.
Apparently, stolen cars at Thanksgiving is my holiday tradition.
Once they realized it wasn’t grand theft auto, he apologized for the confusion.
After everything was cleared up, he asked me what I do for a living. And I thought, this is my last shot at getting out of this ticket. So, with all the humility, innocence, and pastoral glow I could muster, I said, “Well, I’m actually a pastor.”
He smiled and said,
“That’s great. Here’s your ticket, pastor. That’ll be $215. You can pay by check or online.”
This is the unofficial beginning of a season inevitably filled with stress, anxiety, and worry. Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount,
“Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
There will always be trouble. There will always be reasons to worry. And if you must worry, worry about today, don’t add tomorrow’s load to it. It feels like an odd thing for Jesus to say, and notice He doesn’t offer it as a suggestion. He commands it: Do not be anxious.
Don’t dwell on the past or fear the future. Be present today. Seek God today. Worry and anxiety will show up, but they don’t get to control you.
They don’t define you.
Jesus does.
Jesus says you are a child of God, part of the family of God, made in the image of God.
Jesus calls for his followers, his disciples to be calm in the storm, to trust in the midst of chaos, to rise above and be the faithful servant leaders that do not add to the noise descending in a chaotic spiral of fear, outrage, and anxiety.
That means we are called to live differently.
We are called to live as a non-anxious presence in the world.
We are called to know that our shepherd is with us, even through the valley of the shadow of death where we will not fear.
This doesn’t mean we don’t participate in living out the kingdom, this doesn’t mean we bury our head in the sand and wait for things to calm down, it means the opposite.
The world needs calm, collected, faithful followers of Jesus who are obedient to live and love like Jesus did; in a way that dissipates fear and anxiety, not ramps it up.
Which means, when others want to get riled up, don’t throw fuel on the fire; pray for the Spirit to give you peace. When people want to react with violent words or actions, hold your tongue to only speak life and encouragement. When anxiety and worry overwhelm you, pray for Jesus to bring inexplicable peace, preposterous peace that overwhelms you.
As people who call ourselves Christians, our calling is to follow Jesus and be formed in his likeness. That means we abide in Jesus, are changed by him, and embody his ways for the glory of God and the good of others.
So yes, the next month or so may cause you to worry or compare or have unwanted roadside conversations with the police…maybe that last one is just me…but these things don’t define you. They don’t tell you who you are. My hope for you this Holiday Season is that you’ll remember what truly matters, fix your eyes on Jesus, and hold onto the words He says, rather than the lies that make you doubt.
I’m not sure what your Thanksgiving plans look like, but if you’re in town this Sunday, I hope you’ll join us for worship. We’ll spend some time looking at our “stance” during this season and how we might avoid the inevitable toll it can take. Worship is at 10 a.m., and Sarah and I are excited to be with you.
We’ll also have our new Advent Guides available, daily devotionals that begin Sunday, November 30th, to help prepare your heart for Christmas.
A few things to note:
– No Tuesday Noon Prayer or Bible Study this week. Prayer Hour resumes Tuesday, December 2nd. Bible Study returns in the new year.
– Sunday, November 30th: First Sunday of Advent. Advent Guides available at worship.
– Tuesday, December 2nd: Noon Prayer Hour. 60 minutes of prayer and reflection with live worship music. Come and go as you need to.
– Sunday, December 7th: Communion at 9 a.m. All are invited to this open table. Plus, stick around for worship at 10 a.m. with coffee and pastries between the services.
– Sunday, December 7th: Christmas Night of Worship at 6 p.m. Christmas songs, hymns, carols, and worship music all to center you on the great expectation of the birth of our God and King.
– Wednesday, December 24th: One Big Outdoor Christmas Eve Service at 4:30 p.m. More details soon.
As you head out or host this Thanksgiving, may it be a beautiful time to remember the blessings we all have.
Every day is a gift.
Every moment a blessing not promised.
Every breath a second chance. What will you do with what you’ve been given?
And please, if you take any advice from me, wait for an actual rest stop and drive under the speed limit.
Safe travels, many blessings, and we’ll see you Sunday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Blessings.
Andrew