By Sandy Mayle
My cornucopia is full and running over.
I suppose you are thinking of that horn-shaped wicker basket overflowing with Indian corn, squash, gourds and fruits, and garnished with nuts and cranberries ~ a truly picturesque centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table.
I am thinking of a horn of plenty stuffed with harvest blessings ~ my soul! And much of the bounty that overspills it this Thanksgiving comes specifically to those who follow Christ.
Exactly what is tumbling out of my cornucopia? What is overfilling yours?
Gratefulness ~ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. (Psalm 16:6 NIV) Despite the hard places of our yesterdays, we look back and see His blessings strewn all along the way and declare, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12)
Fruitfulness ~ I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) Fruit is a promised by-product of Christ-following. Even in seasons of limitations, drought, and disease Christ our Vine continues to circulate His Presence so that we may remain hardy and fruit-bearing.
Wisdom ~ We declare God’s wisdom … as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”’ – the things God has prepared for those who love Him – these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 2:7-10) Each time we open our Bibles and our hearts to the Spirit’s interpretation of God’s words, we’re experiencing slow but sure growth from seed to ripened wisdom.
Confidence ~ Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Is. 46:4 NIV) The future does not unnerve us, for God Himself will always remember and cherish and care for us in every detail.
Connection ~ now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it…”
(1 Cor. 12:27) In an increasingly disconnected society, none of God’s children live detached lives or serve in solo roles. Each of us nestle together in God’s own cornucopia, bonded with His people beside and behind and before us.
Anointing ~ [God] anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts… (2 Cor. 1:21-22 NIV) As we learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, day by day He prepares and empowers us for the work He wants us to do and moves us into position to do it.
Mission ~ My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace… (Acts 20:24) It is often said that the three keys to happiness are “Something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.” Christ’s charge to make His name and salvation known (each in our unique, God-designed way) gives us plenty to do, people to love, and His “well done” to look forward to.
Growth ~ They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion…
(Ps. 84:7 NIV) We are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from… the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18 NIV) Whether we are nearing our prime or watching it disappear in the rearview mirror, inside we are growing stronger, shining more and more brightly (Prov. 4:18), and gaining momentum as we approach our meeting with our Lord.
Anticipation ~ God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away… (Rev. 21:3-4 NIV) Our cornucopias are garnished with expectancy – every day we’re nearer to paradise!
It’s almost inevitable that each of us, this past year, has come through spiritual drought and disease. We have felt the plow and the rain and the trampling of the enemy.
Yet we can say with the Psalmist, We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. (Ps. 66:12 NIV) Today, in many ways we gleam brighter, produce more and lasting fruit, and experience God in ways we never have before.
Out of our hearts spill strength and confidence and purpose, and out of our lives tumble counsel and encouragement and service ~ the harvest of the Christ-follower.
About the author:
Sandy has been a freelance writer for many years and has written for Discipleship Journal, Pray! Magazine, Just Between Us and many other publications. She and her husband, Dave live in Erie, Pa.