Do Good

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:16 NIV)

What a lovely and appropriate verse with which to begin the new year! Normally when we make resolutions they have to do with our physical health or our finances or our jobs... They tend to be inward focused. How often do our resolutions include doing good for others? How often are our resolutions about improving the lives of those around us?

Wouldn't it be great if we spent the whole year looking for ways to share? God has seen to it that the world has enough resources to go around. But it is his people that store them up or lock them away so that it appears there is not enough to go around. If governments and their people shared all the necessities of life no one would go hungry. Everyone would have clean water. No one would die because the didn't have access to needed medication. Everyone would be sheltered from the elements.

I'm not saying that we should redistribute the world's wealth... Not at all. If we simply shared from our own abundance, the world's needs would be met. It needs to start somewhere, so why not with us? Why not with those who bear the name of Christ?

This year, why not resolve to do one good thing for someone else or share something with one person each day? 2012 could change the world for the better.

Father,
Help us to be watchful for ways to share or do good each day of this year. Amen.

Joys: a wonderful few days with great friends at the beach; knowing that God can still make wonderful things happen even when we plan poorly; having had Richard at home for the holidays.