It's possible to make a difference everyday by choosing humility, kindness and service.
If you have a Bible, grab it, find the book of Romans and look for Chapter 12. It's been a favorite of mine for many years. In high school, one of my guiding quotes from this book was: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18).
Undoubtedly, my motivation in those days centered around being liked. I'm past that now. What seemed simple then through a teenage lens now looks quite difficult. It means I have to not insist on my rights.
Simple advice for an upright life
Yesterday, I read Romans chapter 12 again. There's a lot of sound advice in it - simple but not easy. Check out some of the ways it challenges us to live well:
- Think of yourself with sober judgment - neither to high or to low
- Use your gifts, talents and abilities to benefit others and bring glory to God
- Love sincerely
- Hate what is evil and cling to what's good
- Be devoted to each other in brotherly love
- Honor one another above yourself
- Keep your spiritual fervor and don't lack in zeal while serving God
- Be joyful in hope
- Be patient in troubled or hard times
- Pray faithfully
- Share with each other - especially those in need
- Practice hospitality
- Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn
- Live in harmony with each other
- Do not be proud but be willing to hang out with people who are less fortunate
- Do not be conceited
- Do what is right
- Live at peace with everyone - as far as it depends on you
- Do not take revenge, do not curse, do not repay evil for evil
- Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good
Imagine if we all took this seriously. How would our family, our friendships, our neighborhood or community change? Which one is hardest for you?
