New Years Resolution From The Heart (Not A Post For Those Who Only Like The Pictures, You Know Who You Are)

I kept saying to myself, 'I really need to blog about my New Years resolution.'  But although I have resolutions already thought of and on the list, they were all physical.  I'd like to lose 55 pounds this year and other things of that nature.  What I was looking for in my own heart was a New Years resolution that was spiritual and Christ focused.  I kept praying and pondering and for some reason 1 Corinthians 13 kept coming to mind.  So I sat down and really dissected the entire chapter and was so humbled by what the Lord revealed to me.  Let me just say that though I am telling you in my words I do not presume to understand the Bible through and through and would never try to change it but am just sharing what the Lord laid on my heart for my New Years resolution of the heart.  1 Corinthians 13 starts out by saying-
 
     Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
     And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
     And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.


At this point what I understand is that you may speak of Christ and His works but you won't be heard if you don't have charity.  If it was possible to understand all mysteries, have the gift of prophecy, have all knowledge possible, and faith that could move mountains if you don't have charity you are nothing.  You may give all your possessions to feed the poor and be a martyr for Christ but if you don't have charity it profits you nothing.  At this point in my reading I thought well I love people and I feel I'm pretty kind.  Until I started to really study out the next several verses.

-Charity suffereth long  (which means longsuffering or patient)

-and is kind
-charity envieth not  (no ones position, or money, or friendships)
-charity vaunteth not itself , is not puffed up, (doesn't boast or brag or think highly of themselves)
-Doth not behave itself unseemly, (another word for unseemly is inappropriately)
-seeketh not her own, (puts others thoughts, needs, and feelings first)
-is not easily provoked, (doesn't get angry easily)
-thinketh no evil
-Rejoiceth not in iniquity,
-but rejoiceth in the truth;
-Beareth all things, (beareth means to hold up or support)
-believeth all things,
-hopeth all things,
-endureth all things.

When faced with this list of the attributes of true charity I was astonished by how few of these I actually put to practice.  It saddened me to think how little charity I actually show to the people I love so much in my life.  I am not very patient when things don't go exactly as I had planned. I sometimes say things that are unkind without thinking about the other persons feelings.  Sometimes I will find myself saying, 'Well in our household we don't allow'  or 'Bryan and I will always have a great marriage'.  I don't think you have to reveal all to others, but sometimes your bragging on others in your life comes across as boastful on your part and I have to be so careful about that.  As for behaving inappropriately I sometimes let things slip in front of people that should not be spoken aloud.  I only put others first when its easy for me.  And I think it's easy to assume the worst about people like when someone acts strangely towards you we automatically think, 'Well whats wrong with her'.  When 90 percent of the time it has nothing to  do with you at all.  We need to chase those bad thoughts that satan puts in our head about others out right away.  We shouldn't rejoice in sin which means not wanting to be the first person to run to others excited to have some new gossip for someone under the pretext of asking for help with prayer for the person in sin.  We should rejoice in the truth of Christs love towards us.  We should hold up those we love, believe in them, hope and pray for the best for them, and endure the trials that every relationship endures with grace and love.  When I got done with this little Bible study I felt renewal in my heart.  I had been feeling weary in my Christian journey.  I realized through this that I can't change the heart of those I love, that's the Lords job.  But I can love people more and accept them flaws and all without passing judgement.  I can accept that I'm not perfect and neither are those I love.  We all make mistakes and its nice to know you are loved unconditionally.  Absolutely no strings attached.  I purpose in my heart by the grace of God to try my hardest to extend charity towards others. In the grand scheme of our christian walk what really matters is our salvation and love toward the Lord and others.  After all without it the Bible says we are nothing but ineffectual for the cause of Christ.