Let’s Turn Things Wrong Side-Right in 2024

“There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.” —Carl Sandburg

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. —Matthew 10:39

Main Point: Jesus calls us to live a life that may often seem “wrong side out” to the world but is actually our path to a more fulfilling life now and eternally.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:1-11

The paradoxical way to greatness and honor is by not seeking them

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. —Matthew 23:11-12

The paradoxical way to strength is by acknowledging our weaknesses

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. —2 Corinthians 12:10

The paradox of the gospel is that when we know we least deserve it we are most ready to receive it and God is most happy to impart it.

“It is wretched to know that one is wretched, but there is greatness in knowing one is wretched.” —Blaise Pascal

• ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. (John Newton)

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. —(1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. —(Francis of Assisi)

Takeaway – Let’s live this year seeking to live for Jesus in all of the weird and wonderful ways He calls us to live.