Living on Leftovers

Our Thanksgiving gatherings will look different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the number of people sitting around the dinner table will decrease to prevent the spread of the virus, hopefully our thanks will continue to increase reminding us, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Most tables still will be set with turkey, ham, dressing, macaroni and cheese, rice and gravy, cranberry sauce, casseroles, corn, broccoli, buttered rolls and all the fixings. The dessert menu will consist of pumpkin, potato, and apple pies along with various assortments of cakes and cookies. The main difference may lie in the number of seats around the table.

Normally, the days following Thanksgiving result in eating the leftovers. We prepare different versions of the Thanksgiving meal, since the menu usually consists of more than one vegetable, meat, or dessert. It makes preparation, cooking, and life easier for the next several days. But after that, our fill and desire of turkey and ham diminish. Turkey and ham dinners turn into turkey and ham sandwiches and salads. The garbage disposal gets the final remnants and new meals start to appear. We don’t live on leftovers forever.

Or do we?

Maybe we don’t live on food leftovers. But many people live on leftovers daily. Maybe as a child, you never measured up to someone’s expectations. Your low self-worth came as a result of a lack of childhood affirmation and acceptance. As an adult, you still feel inadequate, rejected, or guilty. You never learned of your tremendous value to Christ, so you seek security in possessions or unhealthy relationships. You harbor resentment, anger, and hostility leftover from your childhood.

Many live on leftovers from the way they were raised; leftovers from lies someone told them; leftovers from unkind comments from friends; leftovers from hurtful relationships. Leftover emotions, leftover attitudes, leftover wrong decisions, leftover scars. All eventually lead to leftover worship.

Sometimes, we nibble on these leftovers because, like food, we become accustomed to unhealthy cravings. We can use them as excuses for our actions and lack of growth. But after a while, the leftovers get old, stale, and toxic—signaling that it’s time for something new. Time to throw away old beliefs, hurts, emotions, and habits. Time to bring in new attitudes, responses, and decisions. Time to know who you are in Christ Jesus and realize that true security comes from a personal relationship with Him. All eventually lead to fresh and delectable worship.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic this Thanksgiving, you can still find so many reasons to be thankful. Give thanks each day that He spares you from the fatal effects of the virus. Give thanks that even though you, like me, may be tired of “zooming,” the technology enables us to interact with family and friends. Give thanks for the breath God pours into your lungs to wake you up each morning. Giving thanks comes easy when life flows smoothly, but showing gratitude in hard times reveals that we recognize His sovereignty and understand He brings or allows trials for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

God did not give us leftovers. He sacrificed His only begotten Son. So whatever leftovers you find yourself living on, release them to the Lord. Let Him free you up to enjoy a life of newness running over with praise and thanksgiving. Psalm 34:8 urges us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live on leftovers. I want to give God the thanks and worship He deserves. And with the power of the Holy Spirit, my leftover hurts can be flushed down the garbage disposal allowing me to grow spiritually and experience newness only found in Him. Why? Simply…

Be Safe and Thankful this Thanksgiving!