Devotional by Randy Brantley

In a couple of days, most Americans will transition from the caloric over consumption of Thanksgiving to the consumeristic over consumption of Black Friday without giving much thought to the significance of the national holiday. It’s no wonder, given the frenetic pace of life that we create for ourselves this time of year. I’m often torn between holiday invitations and my desire to slow down and focus on more spiritually meaningful activities.
Sunday at St. John’s is a refuge for me during the holidays. This past Sunday, as we placed our financial pledges on the Lord’s table, I noticed smiles, people greeting one another, pats on the back, and children darting in and out among adults. When I returned to my pew, I gave thanks for the Body of Christ known as St. John’s Baptist Church. I am particularly grateful that, in the midst of our social, political and theological diversity, we hold fast to historic Baptist principles, such as soul competence, religious liberty, and the autonomy of the local church.
The 80 or so members of my childhood church in rural northeastern North Carolina would sing the old hymn “Count Your Blessings” with gusto. As I grow older, I count life’s blessings with more deliberateness. On especially challenging days, I’m tempted to say, “I’ve got nothin’,” but I’ve learned to “pan out” and take a wider view. If one day seems to hold few blessings, I expand my perspective to include recent days, months or even years. I always can recount God’s presence and accompanying blessings in my life.
Recognizing God’s blessings instills a sense of responsibility to minister to others—not only those in need of basic food, clothing and shelter but also those with spiritual and emotional needs, which oftentimes includes the affluent. Thus the circle continues, for in ministering I often receive unexpected blessings that fulfill my own spiritual and emotional needs.
When counting blessings I sometimes expand my thinking to a cosmic level through the realization that God created me, and I am playing a role in the eventual consummation of the Kingdom of God. Realizing that the God of creation seeks a personal relationship is almost too much for the mind to comprehend. Despite that reaction, I continue on the pilgrimage to discern and live the will of God.
Sometime during the holiday season take a moment to stop, look up and gaze at the stars. As you sense your smallness while soaking in the majesty of God’s universe, may you realize that God’s blessings are as numerous as the celestial bodies before your eyes. As the old hymn states, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what God hath done!”

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