I asked Leigh O’Dell to write this section of the Report this month. Leigh is a shareholder in the Mass Torts Section and a strong Christian. She is also a very good tennis player. I appreciate very much Leigh doing this for us and I believe all of you will be blessed by what she says.

This past Christmas season I was struck anew by the love of God. Jesus, God’s Son through whom all things were created (Col. 1:16), laid down His crown and subjected Himself to His creation. Jesus left the throne of God, submitted Himself to the womb of a woman, was born in the filthy surroundings of animals, lived a life characterized by perfection and persecution, and ultimately, allowed Himself to be sacrificed on a cross for one purpose – because of His love for you and me. What amazing love!

And as I reflect on God’s great love, how should that impact the way I approach 2012? This year more than ever I want to be guided by God’s priorities, not the push and pull of our hectic world. Jesus outlined what our priorities should be: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-38).

Our first priority should be to love God. How do we do that? Jesus shows us the way, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” (John 14:21). We express our love to Him by being obedient, by following His direction as outlined in the Bible. And, as we do that, He promises that we will abide in His love and that He will reveal Himself to us.

And, our second priority should be to love others. Our world is full of tremendous hurt and heartache, pain and poverty. What an incredible difference it would make if we set our focus not on our own rights or needs, but allowed God to use us by loving others. Love them when they are unlovable. Love them when they are strangers. Love them when they are different – a different race or religion. To esteem them better than ourselves. (Phil. 2:3). For our attitudes about others to be characterized by compassion (1 Peter 3:8). To forgive others as we have been forgiven if we are in Christ.

Are our resolutions this year going to be limited to diet and exercise? To the nominal or the life-changing? Let’s resolve to change our focus and through His power, make God’s priorities our priorities this year: Love Him. Love each other. May God bless you abundantly in 2012!

I wish for each of you a happy, healthy and productive New Year. May God continue to bless you and your families and co-workers.

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