not to us

I spent the majority of 2011 looking forward to what was to come.  Dream Year and Little Lights and Teaching and...  Oh, whatever else was around the corner at one point or another.  It was interesting.  I learned a lot.  And I'm not finished, either.

But I'm taking a different approach this year.

I started thinking about it a couple of months ago.  As much as I try to savor the moment, I often find myself looking forward to what's next.  Sometimes I get so busy looking at tomorrow that I forget to enjoy today.  Sometimes I get so excited about what I'm getting next that I forget to be thankful for what I've already been given.

It really hit me when I was studying Ephesians 3.  Paul spends the first two chapters of Ephesians explaining and praising the incredible blessings made possible through Jesus Christ.  Then, in chapter three, he continues to explain how these blessings, once thought to be restricted to Jews alone, have been given to Gentiles, as well.  He ends chapter 3 by saying,

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen!"

This has been one of my favorite verses for a long time...more than ten years...and always tinged with the hope of what's to come.  "Yes!  To him who is able to do more than I can even ask or imagine...and I can ask for a lot, I can imagine incredible things!  Let's watch Him go to work!"

Oh, how greedy and ungrateful I've been...

Paul spends three chapters saying, "God has been so good!  He's paid our debt.  He's given us access to Him.  He's honored us by sending his own son to pave the way, to make it possible!  Oh, and it's available to EVERYONE!"

He finishes it up by saying, "Oh, praise God who is able (read: has already accomplished) more than we can ask or imagine!"

This year, I'm making it my aim to approach life with an attitude full of thanks and gratitude.  Taking the time to realize all that God has already done in my life, all He's already given me.  Choosing to be grateful and give thanks for those things, instead of looking around the corner at what might (or might not) be next.

My One Word for 2012 is Gratitude.  Do you have a word or a goal for the new year?  Share it with us!