God Pardons Turkeys

Many of us are getting ready aren’t we? We can just smell and taste the cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, biscuits, stuffing, and yes TURKEY!   As you know a prerequisite for being a pastor is that you love to eat.  It’s no secret that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  One of the most interesting aspects of our Thanksgiving traditions is the official pardon of a Turkey by the President of the United States. The president of the U.S. is presented with a Turkey which he pardons and the turkey is then sent to live a long life free from the fear of dying for dinner.

When I found this out it got me thinking that we are all kind of like turkeys at Thanksgiving.  In the world today we live in a time where many think that by living a good life they will make it one day to Heaven.  However, when it’s all said and done, they like their real turkey counterparts, do not have much left after it’s all over.  Some of us will often look and act the best we can and not begin to accept the pardon that Jesus came to bring us.  We Christians are the “pardoned turkeys” and we have lost a sense of urgency for fellow humanity who are headed for the table.

I know, you’re probably getting hungry saying this is a bit of a stretch with all this turkey talk, but the bottom line is that we are those who are to share the Good News of Jesus to those who either do not know or do not really care that through Jesus we are pardoned and forgiven of our sinful life.  We are not called to force people to be Christians or die, but we are called to share our faith, something if we are honest, we just do not have an urgent sense of doing as we should or are capable of doing.

In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul states, "to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  We must recapture a sense of urgency for furthering the ministry of Jesus Christ to those who do not know him and for those who may have just forgot the need to be instruments of Christ.  Far too often we are so caught up in the doing of ministry that we forget to BE Ministers of the Good News of Jesus.  We get more upset when things do not go the way we planned rather than the fact that there are people dying without knowing Jesus everyday.

In 1 Timothy 4:14-16 Paul writes, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”  It is clear that it did not concern Paul whether or not he pleased everyone so no one would be offended, but it was Paul’s concern that Timothy may neglect his gift and Paul demanded he be diligent in using it – just as God demands of us today.  Paul also is clear that Timothy needed to be accountable in life and doctrine because the basis of Timothy’s pardon was in his faith and belief in Jesus Christ and that would save both Timothy and those who hear him. 

How diligent are you in utilizing your gifts that God has given you? Are you secure in your life and doctrine?  Who are those unpardoned Turkeys that need to know the Savior and Lord of life: Jesus?  The greatest thanks we can give God is by serving Him a big helping of committed, devoted, loving, and diligent “PARDONED TURKEYS” that desire to serve God with every ounce of strength and desire. 

When it comes right down to it, “What really matters to you?  Is it what matters to God?”


Happy Thanksgiving


Read "The Thanksgiving Story" HERE.