I have been making some time for end of the year
reflections, reviewing my preaching, teaching, reading, personal habits, and
matters of family. I try to do this in a receptive and prayerful way. As I
preached through the Advent and Christmas season, what kept coming back to me
was to keep the celebration of this season simple and focused. I now share with
you a thought that arose out of an email exchange a few days ago. It arose
because I have been preparing a study on the letter of Paul to the Romans. It
struck me that Paul typically ended his letters with a few brief reminders of whom
his readers, as a Christian community, truly are to be. It can sound trite,
even legalistic at times. Yet, as I reflected upon some of these brief
reminders of who and whose we are, it struck me that this is what I wanted to
be in 2012, and hope to be in 2013. So, here is my "modernized" list
of reminders.
Having some faith, hope, and love remain good qualities to
develop.
Keep awake to the opportunities of each day.
Encourage others and build them up to be their best.
Be at peace within and with others. If at all possible,
agree with others and live in peace with others.
Encourage those frightened by the obstacles they face in
life.
Be gentle with others. Be gentle with yourself.
If you see others burdened by a heavy load, help them carry
it.
Help those going through a time when they are too weak to
help themselves.
Be a good worker and value the work you have. Vocation in
life is not everything, of course, but it is important. We all have work to do.
Be sure to carry your own load in all of life as you can.
Be patient with others, remembering how patient you need
them to be with you.
When you really need strength to meet the challenges in your
life, realize that it will most likely not come from within you. You will need
to look away from yourself.
Have a joyful spirit.
Be grateful for moments of silent communion with life.
Have a thankful attitude toward the circumstances and people
in your life.
Learn to be content in all circumstances.
Do not stifle the spiritedness and liveliness that wants to
come forth within you and within those around you.
Develop your gifts and help others develop their gifts.
Show all kinds of love to all types of people in all types
of circumstances.
Contribute financially.
Return good to those who do you poorly.
Love genuinely.
Live in harmony with others.
Do good and avoid evil.
Speak graciously with others.
Remember, life to come back to you what you have given to
it. Not always, of course, but often. Some today call this karma.
Respect governing authorities.
Do not engage in quarreling. You will probably not persuade
the other person, and you will likely harm the relationship you might wish to
have.
Try not to elevate yourself to a position where you think
you can stand in judgment of others. Remember, you are just as weak and frail
as what you now see in the other.
When you are strong, and see someone else who is going
through a time of weakness, go out of your way to help him or her.
Realize this: you will have many forces, some welling up
from within, and some enticing you from the outside, which would seek to make
you miss the mark and draw back from why you are here. You are in a battle for
being the best you can be.
What you think about is important, so think on what is:
True
Honorable
Just
Pure
Pleasing
Commendable
Excellent
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