Looking Forward

I don't usually get into the New Year's resolution-making.  If I get excited about something, I like to start doing it right away and not wait for the start of a new year.  This year, however, on December 30 I read something that excited me, and since it coincides so well with the start of 2011, I think I can call it a New Year's resolution.  What I read was this:

At a recent staff meeting, our pastor challenged us to pray for and encourage each other. He showed us a valuable lesson through a quote from Pastor Ed Young Sr., “Whatever you need, give away.” If you need love, give it away. If you need appreciation, give it away. If you need encouragement, give it away. 

I think this idea fits perfectly with the upside-down kingdom Jesus told us about while He was here on earth.  Here are just a few examples:

• "Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it" (Luke 17:33).

• "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all" (Mark 10:43-44).

• "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).

• "Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven" (Luke 18:22).

So this year, I'm going to try to put this into practice.  When I need encouragement, I'm going to encourage others.  When I need grace, I'm going to extend it to others.  When finances feel tight, I'm going to continue giving to those in need and seek out others who need help.  I say that "I'm going to...," but of course I will not do this every time a situation arises.  There will be victories and failures.  I should really say that my resolution is that I will get closer to being someone to whom this upside-down living is second nature.  This is probably not so much a 2011 resolution as it is a long-term goal.  

A friend's husband wrote this modified and personalized view of 1 Cor. 13, and this is what I hope can be said about me, too; maybe not after just one year, but when I die, I pray I can be described in this way:

Katherine never gives up.
Katherine cares more for others than for herself.
Katherine doesn't want what she doesn't have.
Katherine doesn't strut,
She doesn't have a swelled head.
She doesn't force herself on others,
Katherine isn't always "me first."
She doesn't fly off the handle,
She doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
She doesn't revel when others grovel,
Katherine takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
She puts up with anything,
Katherine trusts God always,
She always looks for the best,
She never looks back, but keeps going to the end.