My Heart is Filled With Thankfulness

Another morning, another day, another year. As I look back on 2012, I see how the Lord moved in so many ways. Sometimes while in the midst of trials or trying to make decisions, it can be difficult to imagine how the Lord will work everything out for good, but He does -- according to His plan and timetable, not mine.

 

While I still have so much more to learn, one thing I really saw this past year is the importance of prayer. God wants to hear our prayers, and He delights in answering them, even in the littlest things. I can remember a few things I was anxious about, but I did not take them to Him in prayer. Yet He still worked them out. O me of little faith. After those incidents, I began to pray more faithfully about things, and it was so amazing to watch Him answer. We truly serve a great God and with Him, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

 

Another lesson was realizing even more the call to surrender -- placing myself wholly at His diposal to do His pleasure (Psalm 103:21). As Lilias Trotter writes, "The essential idea of the Cross is a life lost to be found again in those around." I am learning increasingly more what it means to lose one's life for the sake of Christ. It is not easy, because it cuts across the grain of our prideful human nature, but it is the only route to true joy, peace, and fulfillment.

 

So, will I be making New Year's resolutions? No. I am already painfully aware of what I need to work on, and I know the Lord will continue to reveal new areas of my life throughout the year that need improvement. With His faithful hand, the Lord will keep pruning -- and that will be a lifetime process.

 

As I look forward to 2013, I am thankful. Thankful for His provision over the past year. Thankful as I enter a new year where He will continue to mold and shape me into His image. Thankful for His loving kindness and His mercies that are new every morning. Thankful for His faithfulness and His promise to guide in the days ahead. Thankful that He will be there with me, every step of way.

 

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who bore my pain;

Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace

And gave me life again;

Who crushed my curse of sinfulness

And clothed me in His light

And wrote His law of righteousness

With pow'r upon my heart.

 

 

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who walks beside;

Who floods my weaknesses with strength

And causes fears to fly;

Whose ev'ry promise is enough

For ev'ry step I take,

Sustaining me with arms of love

And crowning me with grace.

 

 

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who reigns above,

Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,

Whose ev'ry thought is love.

For ev'ry day I have on earth

Is given by the King;

So I will give my life, my all,

To love and follow Him.

- Keith Getty and Stuart Townend