Going for the Right Reason

We celebrate Thanksgiving almost the same way it was celebrated the very first time. Many years ago a group of people from England decided to leave their country to find a place where they could worship God according to His word. These were, of course, the Pilgrims.

They gathered together their few belongings and sailed to America on the Mayflower. Though the voyage began well, the Pilgrims faced storms and high waves before it ended.

Upon arriving safely in America and scouting out the land they settled in a place they named Plymouth. The Pilgrims prayed and thanked God for bringing them safely to their new home.

Many of the people became sick during the first winter and some died. Once Winter was over the Mayflower was ready to return to England. Did they want to return and escape the life that had been so hard? Perhaps, but the Pilgrims knew that they had come for the right reason. They wanted to worship and serve God according to His prescribed manner in the Scriptures.

Would you be thankful if you went to a new place and became ill and experienced hardship? Would you be tempted to leave?

Soon after, an Indian named Samoset visited who then brought Squanto. Squanto taught them how to plant corn so that it would grow well. Another Indian was brought named Massasoit who was the chief of many surrounding tribes. Soon after, he and the Pilgrims agreed that their people would live as friends.

The gardens that Squanto helped plant did indeed grow well and they gathered much food. The Pilgrims decided they would have a special celebration; a big meal and a time of giving thanks to God for helping them make a life in America. And of course they invited their new friends.

The men hunted turkey and deer, the children picked berries, and the women cooked and baked. The two groups gathered together and the Pilgrim leader prayed, thanking God for His provision and for their new friends. For three days they celebrated Thanksgiving!

The Pilgrims left homes and country to worship God in a better way. For them nothing was more important. They went for the right reason.

This year I'm thankful for those who suffered hardship in the name of obedience to the word of God. What a wonderful reason to leave all behind; obedience to God.