Resolving To Stretch and Serve

New Year’s Eve 1973 was a lot like most for the Vaughan brothers. My parents would gather with friends – many if not most from church – and we would spend the night with my grandmother. My grandmother loved New Year’s Eve, and she loved having the three of us with her. She would cook a big supper for us, pull out a deck of cards and play games with us, and as midnight approached, she would turn the television to the “big ball in Times Square” and we would celebrate as Guy Lombardo as his Royal Canadian Big Band swung in the new year. And, just before midnight, she would break out the milk – and we would all toast in the new year, clinking glasses together. It was the only night of the year when we actually saw Midnight. Fireworks? Nope. Georgia wasn’t the trendsetter that South Carolina was – fireworks were against the law.

Like almost everyone, I’ve plowed into the new year, using it as an opportunity to turn the page and start afresh. I’ve had my share of New Year’s Resolutions that didn’t make it to Jan. 10. I’ve also had several years when I started a journal. January 1974 was one of those years. We had just moved into a larger home, anticipating the birth of our new sister in March. I was also finishing up my first year of high school. But, that journaling project didn’t survive – largely because I went to work that summer for the local newspaper and my love for writing took a life-changing turn.

New Year's Resolutions can be good for us, because they promote planning and dreaming and starting over, but there's a problem. It's the stamina to see them through. And, quite honestly, it's because our Resolutions are often self-centered (sinful). When we anchor in our selves with ourselves in mind - well, that's a weak foundation.

I’d like to suggest two things as we enter 2012:

1. Set one goal that is squared with your relationship with Jesus rather that centered on self. Creating a budget, for example, is self-serving unless that budget is squared with faith – and a percentage of the budget will be poured into improving the lives of others (in the name of Jesus). Going to the gym or losing weight can be selfish, but it can be turned to ministry if partnered with someone who needs a friend, needs a church, and mostly needs encouragement in faith. So, what is one thing that you can do in 2012 – all the way through 2012 – that will honor and lift the name of Jesus above your own?

2. What is one thing that you can do throughout this year that – without Jesus – would be absolutely impossible? On Dec. 31, 2012, what can you look back on and say, “Wow, I can’t believe I actually did that this year – and it was only possible because Jesus walked with me in it.” In December 2012, what will you be able to do toward praising the name of Jesus?

Vicki and I are not hospitable people. We don’t apologize for it. We just don’t have the gift of hospitality. We aren’t the people who enjoy inviting people to our house, and we aren’t the people who enjoy cooking for other people. We love people, and we love talking to people, but we would rather meet you somewhere than have you come to our house. You know why? Because when we get tired of you – you may not be ready to leave. :) Or, we just don’t like to go to the trouble of cleaning up for you. That’s just how we are.

In late 2010, Vicki and I decided to have some friends over one night as the holidays approached. It was so out of character for us – as we cleaned the house and prepared for the evening, we kept saying to each other, “Tell me again, why are we doing this?” It was honestly like having a great pair of blue jeans, and replacing them with brand new ones . . . and not really understanding why it was it necessary.

After that initial shock to our hospitality system, I began studying Scripture and its emphasis on hospitality. Here’s what I came to:
1. Hospitality is not just a practical issue – it is a fundamental expression of the Gospel. As God was hospitable to us in providing Jesus, we are to be hospitable toward others in hopes of building relationships with some.
2. Hospitality is a fundamental expression of Christian faith. It’s an out-working of love – Romans 12:10-13 . . . Love each other with genuine affection (brotherly love) . . . always be eager to practice hospitality.
3. And, while we typically focus on hospitality toward our friends and family, Hebrews 13:2 says, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it.”

And, so Vicki and I began opening up our little home to people in 2011. It was something we were not wired to do. It was something way beyond our comfort zone. It was something we could only do with the help of Jesus . . . and yet we said, “Let’s do better at this part of our Christian walk.”

We started inviting people over – people we didn’t know well, but wanted to know better.

On Easter Sunday, we hosted about 20 people, opening the door for the boys to bring friends to church with them and then to our house to eat. We sacrificed our boy’s traditional “Easter gifts” to provide an Easter basket for every student attending.

One couple at a time, we began inviting the younger church staff members – and spouses – to have dinner with us. We realized that the Lord could use us as encouragers to them, and use them to help us from becoming “old people.” (In 25 years, I want to be like the 75-year-old, humming Eric Clapton tunes last week in Kentucky Fried Chicken).

We had a Christmas party, specifically inviting those who volunteer as Care Group leaders to serve our class.

What Vicki and I have discovered is that while we don’t have the gift of hospitality, God brings a blessing to us – a joy to us – when we step beyond our comfort zone, embrace a new goal, and square it with Scripture. We are going to press forward with this in 2012, and we are excited about it. Because this 2011 goal was squared in Scripture and larger than ourselves, it became very easy for us to embrace.

What about you? How can you stretch and serve in 2012?