Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Grace. Joy.
Happy Thanksgiving! Today, I felt the nudge to write about the word, “Eucharisteo.” The Greek word, Eucharist means, Thanksgiving. The word, "charis" means grace, and chara means, joy. So translated, Thanksgiving and Joy literally extend from the word, "Grace." We cannot earn it, we don't deserve it. But grace is given, generously.
Several years ago I read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I highly recommend it if you have not read it. Of course if you have read it, you know it is worth reading, again.
Jamie George, my pastor in Franklin, Tennessee also did a message one year on Eucharisteo, and the meaning of Thanksgiving, Joy and Grace.
As I flipped through my Bible and found my scribbled notes in the margin, I smiled as I thought about the song, “Reckless Love.”
“I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still You give Yourself away …”
Thanksgiving. Eucharisteo.
Thanksgiving is a lot of things to a lot of people. For some, it’s a holiday weekend. This year, the holiday looks different. Most of us are not traveling to see family or hosting family members in our homes, due to COVID. But we will still celebrate Thanksgiving.
For others, thanksgiving is a way of life. Oh, how I want to live my life in eucharisteo. A state of constant thanksgiving and joy extended from Papa’s grace. I cannot earn it. I most certainly do not deserve it. But His grace is given, generously.
2020 has been one heck of a year. I know it will be used as an adjective, at some point. “This is so 2020.”
There have been more bad things to happen this year than I can remember in any other year, collectively. This year has brought sickness. Death. Injuries. Loss of jobs. Loss of homes for some. Isolation. Loneliness. Confusion. Depression. Uncertainty. Disappointment. Cancelled, “you name it.” Toilet paper shortages. Awkward encounters with people in public.
For us, perhaps the scariest of blows of 2020 was the phone call last month at 10:40PM when Michala and her roommates were in a terrible car accident. She is with us. The thanksgiving, joy and unbelievable grace I feel is an overwhelming Eucharisteo. Terry and I continue to cry tears of joy and gratitude.
At the Last Supper, when Jesus knew He would be put to death; when He knew what was waiting ahead of Him … in the face of what Jesus knew would be evil and suffering, He gave thanks.
“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” - Luke 22:19 (NLT)
2020. Ugh. What a year. But no matter what, when our focus is on Jesus, we give thanks in spite of circumstances, not just because of them.
Eucharisteo. Giving thanks. He is our joy. He is our grace.
Through all of the heartache and turmoil, Jesus is still seated at the right hand of God. In our crushing and pressing, God is making New Wine. (Hillsong Worship).
Maybe … just maybe, God is using the heartaches and suffering we have all experienced and endured in 2020 to bring New Wine out of each of us. That’s the way I want to look at this year. Because if my eyes focus on what God is doing through us, the enemy cannot steal our moments of joy, thanksgiving and grace. Which means we live each day in Eucharisteo.
God bless you and your families. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Joy. Grace.