Being thankful for 2015

January 13, 2015

It is a new year and I am endeavouring to be thankful for how God is going to be working in my life in 2015. I have no idea what 2015 will be like. It could be great, it could be amazing, it could be ok, it could be shocking, it could be worse than 2014, (and I thought 2014 was bad.) However, regardless of what God may be choosing to do in my life in 2015, I am thankful.

Paul writes in Philippians, 'do not be anxious, but make requests to God with thanksgiving'.
In my paraphrasing, this is thanking God at the same time as asking for things/guidance/wisdom/peace etc, not a case of waiting for hopes, dreams and desires to be laid in front of you and then thanking God. This is trusting that God is sovereign and he is Lord and his way in my life is the best for me.

Keller* writes, ' He is telling is us that we will never be content unless, as we make our heartfelt request, we also acknowledge that our lives are in his hands, and that he is wiser than we are.'

I was reminded of this on Sunday, through a message on not wasting our suffering.
Psalm 121:7-8 NIV
The Lord will keep you from all harm---he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

I have no reason not to be thankful in anticipation of 2015. The one who created the world, the universe, me. The Lord. He will keep me, he will protect me and will watch over me. I will not be anxious. I will be thankful.

And already I have so much to be thankful for.

I am thankful that I have a job which I love that I can work part time in.

I am thankful for the 3 friends over the past 3 days who have prayed with me or have let me know they are praying.

I am thankful for the encouragement of a friend on Sunday who encouraged me to persevere in an area I was unsure of, and helped me see new open doors at a time when ministry doors have been closing.

I am thankful for faithful preaching at church that recognises suffering and how hard and real life can be, and redirects my eyes to my creator, my saviour, the sovereign lord.

2015 and what it holds is unknown. I could be anxious about this. I could be trying to wish it away with my desires and dreams. I don't know what it holds. But I know my lord holds me and for that I am thankful and will continue to be thankful.

(*Walking with God through Pain and Suffering- Tim Keller)