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Pastor · Sunday Schedule · FBC
News
2002
From the Pastor
EXAMEN
Thanking God For What We Don’t Understand
There is a Jesuit devotional practice that might be helpful for us as we plan our Thanksgiving devotion or prayer. It was first brought to our attention by Susan Lowery, Spiritual Director on the staff of Samaritan Center. It is called, ‘Examen.’
In this devotional practice what you do is name the three best things that happened to you and after each one make the response, “Thanks be to God.” These three items can be anything - blessings, gifts, the weather, a chance encounter with a friend, but you name three and thank God for them.
The second part of ‘Examen’ while carrying the same response, lists the opposite of the day. You name what went wrong, the three events or items that seemed the reverse of blessing. You think of the three worst things that happened and after each one you again recite the response, “Thanks be to God.” You do it even if you don’t feel thankful.
Why, what is the advantage, what is the understanding that can develop through such a practice, especially the negative part of this devotional exercise.
I will list three.
The first is it ties your faith not to feelings but to trust, even when you are not feeling thankful for something you express thanksgiving because your faith is not tied to a religious feeling but trust in Christ.
Feelings can be deceptive, they are transitory. Trust is grounded in our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is fixed, it is eternal. It transcends all feelings. ‘Examen’ reminds us we are rooted to Jesus Christ.
Second, thanking God for things which don’t make sense to us reminds us we are the created, God is the Creator. We are mortal. We can’t always see the wider picture. We can’t always know the ultimate good toward which God is leading us. Saying thank you to that which we don’t understand is a confession of our finiteness. It is also a way of recognizing that we don’t need to know everything, but we can rest in the assurance of God’s omnipotent power and wisdom.
Third, practicing ‘Examen’, thanking God for everything, the good and the apparent bad, is a way of recognizing the Sovernity of God and that all of life is ultimately a gift. We are the grateful recipients of life. God is the Creator of that life, and in the end “all things work together for the good for those who love the Lord.”
We see the end. We live by the last chapter. We know a Risen Savior, and one day He will stand upon the earth and God will be all in all. Out of this faith we learn to praise God for everything. Out of this faith we learn to be thankful in everything.
This thanksgiving reflect upon the practice of ‘Examen’ and see if in some way you can’t incorporate it into your Thanksgiving Prayer.
A blessed, Joyous Thanksgiving to everyone.
Dr. David W. Andersen
            
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