Happy New Year!!

Yes, I realize that New Year's Day is actually on January 1st, not February 1st, but I'm choosing to celebrate the new year today. On January 1st, I was preparing to leave for Peru. After spending an amazing week in Peru, the rest of January just flew by as I tried to assimilate myself back into "normal" life. You know what? I don't want my life to be normal! As a follower of Christ, aren't I called to live a life that doesn't seem quite normal to the rest of the world? So, that's what I'm going to attempt to do this year - live an abnormal life!

In our Bible study class we're studying the book "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns. Absolutely one of the best books I've read - if you haven't read it, I encourage you to. It just may change your life. The central question of the book is, "What does God expect of us?" The book is full of "quotable quotes" that attempt to answer that question, but this one from the introduction covers a lot: "God asks us for everything. He requires a total life commitment from those who would be His followers. In fact, Christ calls us to be His partners in changing our world." I want to be one whom God uses to change our world! Christ's followers are called to "love their neighbors and their enemies, turn the other cheek, give to the poor, avoid judging others, forgive those who have wronged them, and store up their treasure in heaven, using their money to further the kingdom of God."

While I don't usually make "New Year's Resolutions", I am setting some goals for myself this year:

1. Learn Spanish. I made a promise to an 11 year old girl that I met at the orphanage in Peru. I told her I was going to study Spanish so that when I came back, I could talk to her. I intended to make good on that promise.

2. Give generously. I have been convicted about how much of the material resources that God has entrusted to me I use for my own comfort and pleasure. I plan to use less for myself and give more to those less fortunate.

3. Invest more in the spiritual development of my children. While I try to set a good example, and I take my kids to church regularly, I have been guilty of leaning heavily on others to teach them spiritual lessons. God has blessed me with these children, and the best way I can thank Him is to teach them to love Him and serve Him.

As I read this list, I admit it sounds very egocentric - all the things I am going to do. The truth is, I can do none of this in my own selfish, self-centered state. I must rely on God to transform me so that the motivation and desire and ability to accomplish these goals comes from Him. Which brings me to my last goal:

4. Spend more time consistently studying God's word and praying for His life-changing power to transform my life.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the story of the sheep and goats, where people are separated based on their actions toward the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and imprisoned. What catches my attention most in this story is that those who took care of the ones in need were not even aware of their actions in relation to serving Christ. They just did what came naturally, out of their love for God. I want my life to be about fulfilling what Jesus Himself proclaimed as the two greatest commandments: Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'". Matthew 22:37-38