I shall...

My freshman year of college, I took an Honors writing class in which we were required to write a personal credo.  I stumbled upon it as I was organizing the hundreds of random files saved in every place imaginable on my computer, and I had to pause for a moment and wonder: Have I held true to this? If I were to write it today, would it say the same thing? More on that to follow later, but for now...

This is what I shall do: forgive those who do not deserve it, love the unlovable, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and refuse to over-look  injustice.  I shall be bold in my endeavors, never relenting in the pursuit of truth and the greater good. I shall attempt in every way to truly be the body of Christ, to see people through His eyes, to bless and not curse, and to touch the lepers.  I shall put my heart on the line, knowing full well that it will probably get trampled, for in doing so I invite others to trust their own hearts.  I shall rise above my circumstances, for although they have shaped my path, they will not define my life. I shall find victory in surrender and worth in poverty. I shall dwell in the moment, fearing neither the present nor the future, but embracing this amazing gift called life.  I shall cherish the promise of the sunrise, dancing in my heart for the joy of the morning, for each day is a gift, and I shall never wish one away. I shall lead by serving, throwing every ounce of my being into alleviating the human agony, both physical and spiritual, in order that I might spend my life on something that is worth the price. I shall fervently try to judge no person by his outward appearance, but rather by the overflow of his heart. I shall avoid self-pity and empty excuses.  I shall shoulder the responsibility for my own mistakes.  I shall push myself always, refusing the stagnant dry-rot of complacency.  I shall build my relationships on trust and honesty, my standards on the scriptures, and my life on Jesus Christ. I shall not limit God by boxing him in with my narrow expectations and stunted understanding.  I shall be open to new ideas and acceptant of differing perspectives, yet I shall not compromise my convictions to please the crowd. I shall be financially wise and prudent, yet I shall give freely where the need is true.  I shall never stop learning, and I shall never consider myself better than others. I shall dance is if no one is watching, for even if they are, the dance is not for them. I shall love passionately, trust deeply, and laugh freely.  I shall live adventurously, for life is simply too short to waste on boredom.