10 in 10

10 ways to make your life count in 2010!

Just before the New Year, I was driving on the twenty-two hours journey from Colorado to our home in Alabama. I always seem to do a lot of thinking on those long journeys, and this time was no exception. Like most people seem to do, I was thinking about how much faster things in life seem to pass by the older we get. In Scotland as we were growing up, Christmas was always a secondary celebration to New Year's Day. Santa came to us at New Year.

In later years as we traveled in ministry, I didn't really care about where I was on Christmas day, but I always wanted to be home at New Year. It seems like just a little while ago, we were looking at the approach of 2000, Y2K bug and all. Even more incredible, it was like yesterday that I remember my teacher, Miss Chisholm, back in our little school in Scotland writing "6/6/66" on the blackboard. Now we're heading at breakneck speed towards 10/10/10 - amazing!

Like every New Year, for most people, this one brings with it a time of stocktaking, resolutions for the future and a re-aligning of priorities. As I drove that long road the other day, the thought came to me of 10 "commandments" to give myself for 2010, things I could do this year to make my life better and please God more. As the miles rolled on, this is what God spoke to my heart:

Forgive Someone! There is tremendous power in forgiveness. There is someone in your life who has grieved you, hurt you deeply. Remember, bitterness kills. If there's something in your life causing you to be bitter, it is a cancer that spreads, affects your decision making and will create weeds that will choke the life out of all you do. As my Dad used to say, "You can't be bitter and be blessed."

Give something precious to God! When Mary broke the alabaster box, Jesus made a memorial of her sacrifice. Find something in your life that is as the alabaster box, and give it away. Make your giving be so spectacular that it takes your breath away.

Make a friend with someone outside your normal social circle! When I first looked at the faces in the orphanage in Moldova, I only saw need. But as I waited and stayed long enough to learn their names, and then discover their heart, I found the most amazing kids with the most amazing personalities, with the most amazing talents. There is someone you pass every day who doesn't fit within the normal framework of your life, but that someone might bring amazing joy and color to your life.

Get involved with ministry! The vast majority of people in church check in at 10:30, check out of 12:00, drop some money in the offering, and think they're plugged into church. Church is not what happens in the service - that's just the tip of the iceberg. It is the social structure of the church that makes participation worthwhile. Perhaps in the children's dept where little hearts are being formed, or in the teams where your friendship might be a bulwark against the world in someone's heart. There is a place for you, and you need to be part of this marvelous jigsaw.

Eat better! I've promised myself a thousand times to start dieting "on Monday," to get up a little earlier and walk for half an hour. But there's always a reason not to, always an excuse. I only know, God willing, I want to be around a long time yet. I want to see my grandchild (and future grandkids) grow up. I want to make as much of an impact for the Kingdom of God as I can. This is about being a good steward of the marvelous gift of life God has given us, and the older I get, the more precious that gift becomes. So let's not give up now when it really matters - let's try again together!

Check back soon for part two of this post!

10 in 10 (Part 1 of 2)

Click Here for Part 2