"Goggles Much?" (on Thanksgiving)

(This is passed on from a good friend and fellow minister, Pastor Dominic Guerra, in Okinawa, Japan)

Ever heard of “beer goggles”? It’s a playful expression used around bars and clubs to suggest that the more you drink, the better looking someone becomes. Also, to have on beer goggles is to suggest a distortion of reality and truth. That said, our national holiday of Thanksgiving is upon us and I submit to you that growing masses of people – to include Christians – reveal their beer goggles.

My case in point. It is a gross distortion of reality and truth to posit:

a. “Happy Indigenous People’s Day!” Goggles, much? THANKSGIVING IS NOT ABOUT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE! Thanksgiving is about giving thanks to God! The early settlers were acknowledging and thanking God for His faithfulness, provision, and mercies. Thanksgiving was established to honor God and to express gratitude for His blessings upon them. Honestly, the so-called indigenous people should be falling on their faces before God and thanking Him for His grace and mercy and provision of salvation through Christ! ▪ Col 3:17 And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

b. “Europeans stole the land from the Indians!” Goggles, much? If this is true, and it’s not, who did the Indians get the land from? Who did the Indians steal it from? How many other tribes and people did they conquer, kill, and enslave to possess the land? Has it occurred to you that God had His hands in the formation of America? That God stood America up? And yet, godless criticisms about America abound. Bottom line: The earth and everything in it belongs to the LORD! Including the inhabitants!

▪ Ps 24:1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. ▪ Ac 17:26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

c. “Europeans destroyed rich, magnificent Indian culture!” Goggles, much? Admit it. Their culture was devoid of God. They were a godless people in need of introduction to God and salvation through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. ▪ Rev 15:4 Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.

d. “Europeans forced their religion on the natives!” Goggles, much? These natives needed salvation through Jesus Christ too. Masses of Europeans understood this, and they also understood the Great Commission from Jesus Christ to go into all the world and present the good news. ▪ Ac 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses (martyrs) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

e. “Christopher Columbus was evil! Wish he never came here!” Goggles, much? At the very least, Columbus was trying to obey God and fulfill God’s calling on his life. Are you? However, Columbus was a Christian with a deep burden to serve the LORD. In great faith and obedience to Christ, Columbus risked everything to advance Christ. His name literally means “Christ-bearer” or “Light-bearer.” Was he perfect? No. Did he make mistakes? Of course. But he took a big swing at knowing and serving God. How about you? Goggles, much?

▪ Deut 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

f. “Happy Friendsgiving!” Goggles, much? There is no such thing as “Friendsgiving.” This label is just a sad and quite offensive attempt to not offend insignificant opinions of immature, godless people. But more importantly, it’s a slap to God’s face. It’s literally rejecting our duty to give the thanks to the LORD.

▪ Ps 105:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. (vs.2) Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. (vs.3) Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. (vs.4) Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. (vs.5) Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth.

Prior to the arrival of Europeans/Christians – and the gospel – what was America like? The Americas were dark and uncivilized. These natives were godless. They worshipped animals and nature. They practiced evil traditions and demonic worship. Many tribes exercised dark, satanic rituals that included human sacrifices, infant sacrifices, torture, and cannibalism. Some even ate the hearts of their enemies. However, God-fearing and obedient people, called by Christ, forsook all and laid down their lives for these Natives. Many of these Christians were literally martyred for the gospel and their obedience to God. How many more infant sacrifices would’ve taken place had the LORD not begun intervening with His martyrs and missionaries?

This week, make time! Make time to get before the LORD and thank Him for His provisions and mercies. This day – Thanksgiving – is about God, and no one else. And it’s right to give thanks and praise to the LORD! (1Thess 5:18)