Putting Others First

I know a lot of people don't like to make New Year's Resolutions but I'm not one of them.  I {heart} resolutions.  Or goals, or intentions or whatever you choose to call them - I {heart} them all!  I like taking time to reflect on (what I can remember of) the past year and seeking God's will for me in the year to come.

Over the past several weeks God has been leading me to put others first.  You see, over the years I have become very good at making sure my needs are met.  I have plenty of down time, I indulge occasionally, I forgive myself when I fall short, I spend most of my time doing things I enjoy with people I love.  I have essentially designed my life with my comfort in mind, surrounding myself with people, experiences and things that encourage me, support me and bring me joy.  It's an admittedly selfish way of life and one that I think most people should embrace for a season of their life.  However, while making it all about me is good and well for a time, God has made it clear to me that the time has come to move on and start focusing more of my energy outward - on the needs and desires of others. 

To put it plainly - this will not be easy for me.  In all honesty, putting others first goes against my nature.  It sounds terrible but it's true.  I'm not saying I am incapable of, or even dislike, caring for and helping others.  It's just that usually when I do so there is something in it for me.  I'm not going out of my way or sacrificing anything of myself to achieve the result.  I don't know what it looks like to be intentional about putting others first in a life full of personal responsibility and obligations that I can't easily walk away from.  Putting others first is a much more abstract resolution than I am used to.  There is no easy way to measure my progress or success.  I don't imagine it will be something I master in 366 days (2012 is a leap year) and move on from in 2013.  It just doesn't fit nicely in a resolution box.  But it is where God has brought me and I will do my best to listen, follow and obey Him as he continues to lead.   

I am blessed to be exiting a season of selfishness as I enter this season of selflessness.  I am full of peace, love, confidence and all other measures of joy.  I am open to giving freely and generously from what I've been given and I know that, as with all things, there needs to be balance.  Finding the balance may just be the most difficult - and important - aspect of this journey.