What is a worldview? Better yet, what is a Christian worldview?
A Christian worldview answers questions biblically. Acknowledging a worldview is exceptionally vital because your worldview is the foundation for what you believe, how you see the world, and which values and behaviors are essential to you. This means a worldview is comprehensive. It affects every area of life.
Believe it or not, many people do not have a true worldview; they may think they do or say they do, but in reality, what they have is a mutt—not a pure worldview. What I mean by this is that it is common for people to believe a little bit of what they were told, a little bit of what they have heard, a little bit of what others think, and a little bit of what Scripture says. When these views and beliefs are mixed together, they don’t always align. That’s why I say people do not commonly have a pure worldview, but they have what I call a mutt.
Conversation at the Table
For years, travel surveys have revealed that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the most traveled day of the year. For many airports across the country, this will be the busiest day of the calendar year. As people travel and gather with family and friends to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal of turkey or ham with all the fixings, what do you suppose will be the most talked-about item in their conversations?
Some may be reliving history and sharing the story of the pilgrims landing on the shore of America and reminding people why they had taken such a dangerous journey to reach a new land. Before they landed, their signing of the Mayflower document while on board the ship is historical proof of why they came to America. They wanted to preach the word of God freely and further the Kingdom of God.
Maybe others will say a family prayer, recognizing and giving thanks to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That will conclude their recognition of the spiritual roots of our land.
The Roots of Thanksgiving
What about those who come to America from other countries and need an understanding or appreciation of the roots of Thanksgiving? I have found that they are intrigued to know that the original Thanksgiving took place just before the second winter in the new land. The first winter saw forty percent of the pilgrims not survive, food had to be rationed, and some historians say each person was down to just five kernels of corn per day.
Then, after that first horrific winter, the second year brought an abundance of crops. So, in December of 1621, the Governor, William Bradford, called for a day of feasting and, more importantly, a day of giving thanks to God for His grace and provision. The focus and most important aspect of that December feast was not the many options of food or the gathering of friends and family, but the focus and purpose of that day was the recognizing and praising of God.
The Israelites Sang a Song of Thanksgiving
The Israelites sang a song of thanksgiving as they were delivered from Pharaoh’s army after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15). The disciples repeated this as they sang songs of praise and left the upper room after the Last Supper, unaware of what lay before them.
Maybe this Thanksgiving, we all can start a new tradition of singing songs of praise and thanking God for the deliverance He offers us. Remember the words of 1 Thessalonians 5, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Just Around the Corner
I have a good friend who says that when you see the Christmas displays popping up in late August or September, you know the season is near. You know Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Remember, Thanksgiving comes before Christmas. Likewise, when you see the signs of the end times popping up when you know what season we are in, you know the Rapture is right around the corner. Remember, the Rapture comes before the Tribulation.
God bless you, and Marantha, Lord Jesus!
