What do Thanksgiving and Bible Translation have in common? Part 3
- Stephen & Madison Dillard
- Nov 19, 2019
- 2 min read
While beginning this journey of serving with Wycliffe Associates, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, we tried to think of some of the ways Thanksgiving and Bible Translation are similar. We decided to focus on the aspects of community, feasting, and thankfulness.
Thankfulness
One of our favorite things about the Thanksgiving holiday (aside from the food & fellowship!) is that it challenges us to recognize and acknowledge the things that fill us with gratitude.
On Thanksgiving, many families will invite each person to share one thing that they are thankful for. We have a cousin who posts on Facebook every day during the month of November the things she appreciates. Some people don’t shave their beard to express their gratitude for… beards?
However it is celebrated, we know that in order to give thanks, we must acknowledge the things we are thankful for.
Thankfulness is the natural overflow of a thankful heart.
And nothing produces a thankful heart more than undeserved kindness.
When national church leaders gather to translate the Bible into their native tongue, thankfulness is the result.
We have heard it explained as though these people finally realize that Scripture is meant for them too. Many weep, full of joy, when they are able to read or hear God’s Word in their own language for the first time.
Why? Because it is in Scripture where we learn of God’s decision to lavish His love upon us, despite our vast failures and inadequacies. It is in Scripture that we can know God. And the proper response to knowing God is giving him thanks, praising him.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, God’s undeserved kindness stirs within us the need to give thanks.
Although we know we don’t belong, we have been adopted into His family and invited to share a meal at His table.
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High” (Psalm 92:1).
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