Today's To-Do's

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:3-21

              Romans 12:1-2 typically get top billing. That’s understandable. They are full of spiritual riches. And I think it is because of their proximity to verses 1 and 2 that the rest of the chapter goes somewhat unnoticed. So, this morning let’s take a minute to focus there.

              Like a lot of people, I tend to be future-focused. What I mean is, the nature of ministry and business requires me to plan months in advance. Therefore, I tend to be bent toward thinking in terms of what I am going to be doing six months from now. I have a default setting of asking “what am I going to do down the road?” In this text, Paul puts a list of today stuff in front of me. It’s not “what will need to do next week?” It is, “what can I do today?” Here’ what it looks like:

·       Be humble.

·       Use your gifts to serve others.

·       Love – sincerely and affectionately

·       Turn toward good and away from evil.

·       Honor people.

·       Do what you do with zeal.

·       Be joyful – and let it show.

·       Be patient in trouble.

·       Pray

·       Bless people – especially those who don’t deserve it.

·       Engage with people where they are (cry or celebrate with them)

·       Hang out with the people no one hangs out with

·       Don’t be a know it all.

·       Don’t give payback, even if you can.

·       Think about how others perceive what you do.

·       Be a peacemaker.

That’s a long list, but there is nothing on there that isn’t doable today, by God’s grace. These are not things I have to put on my “long-term goals” list. This is stuff I can do now. It is Sunday and a good day to put Romans 12 into practice – and not just the first two verses.