When viewing this world through the lens of a physical eye, it is nearly impossible to overlook the sorrow, chaos, and evil present in our world. Wickedness dominates our media. There seems to be little good news on any front. Yet, he who is looking through the lens of a spiritual eye sees hope amidst dismay, peace among chaos, and God’s hand through the storm clouds. Last week when I met with an ACS alumnus whose baby has been fighting a series of challenges, he told me, “I don’t know how others here (at the hospital) can make it without having the hope we have in Jesus.” Even though I have not faced a situation similar to his, I echo his sentiment. I don’t know how anyone living in this world can make it without Christ.

As we encourage our younger students to make a list of things for which to be thankful or craft a bulletin board which points out the physical blessings from our God, I’m reminded of the blessings He has showered upon us which cannot be seen. Some of these blessings are hard to put into words. There is certainly a reason the Spirit led Paul to write that God’s peace goes beyond our understanding and Christ’s love goes beyond our knowledge. How is it possible for a couple to see life come to a standstill as they spend weeks at the children’s hospital with a struggling newborn yet cling to God’s promises and believe He is always good (especially today?) How is it possible for one of our high school students to stand in chapel a couple of weeks ago and express that God has been so good in his life though his mother had died years before? God’s love, His joy, His peace, His strength, His comfort, His purpose, His calling are not things that can be seen. Yet the effect of these things is most assuredly seen by many and is the greatest testimony we have to a lost world.

The truth is that this week some of our ACS families will gather to give thanks for good jobs, a nice house, great vehicles, a beautiful healthy family, and a nice bank account. Others from ACS will gather knowing that the bank account is low, and/or the vehicles are struggling, and/or a family member is very sick, and/or finding a good job seems impossible. What makes ACS great is not that we are all rich. We’re not. What makes ACS great is not that we all live in the same subdivisions or drive the same cars or work the same jobs. We don’t. What makes ACS great is that both families who are prospering financially and those who are struggling, families who are well and those who are sick, families who are advancing in their employment and those who are struggling to find good jobs, families who were raised in church and those who weren’t, families that have been at ACS for 15 years and those who are new will all gather this week in unity to recognize that God’s love and goodness means more than any physical thing. His grace is not refused because of pre-existing conditions. His mercy is not merit based. As one, we can all gather to praise the One who gained the merit for us, who paid to make us worthy, who died to bring us life. Some will be gathering in beautiful homes. Some will be gathering in apartments. Some may very well be meeting in a hospital. But all can be grateful for things that eyes can’t see.

I want to wish each family a Happy Thanksgiving and say “thank you” to those who came to worship with us at our Thanksgiving service last Friday. It truly was a great time of song and testimony. We are thankful you attended!