3,2,1 and Z,Y,X - Backwards Works

Perhaps you have heard of the "pay it forward" idea.  Maybe you saw the  movie that was released in 2000 that highlights the social experiment of not paying back to the giver of the good deed, but rather, looking for an opportunity to do a good deed to another in order to honor the good deed that one received.  In reality, it's the concept of looking backwards to a blessing received in order to look forward to give a blessing.

In our Western culture, we want to "pay back," instead of pay forward. In other words, when someone does something nice for us, we feel an urgency to do something in return for that very person.  If we don't, we perceive that person(s) will think we are ungrateful.  But, here is what we have heard others around us say, (and we like it) "Thank you!  I am going to pass this good deed forward!"  That's that.  You have multiple examples of how you have paid it forward, or perhaps been the recipient of someone paying it forward.  Recently, I was waiting my turn in line for a coffee.  The gentlemen in front of me finally reached the service window when he turned back to me and said, "What will you have today?  I am paying forward and buying your coffee."  Less than two hours later, a young man approached me at a service station and asked for just a few dollars to buy only several gallons of gas to get him home.  I paid it forward.  It felt good.  You can identify.
Backwards works.  We have to remember what we have received before we can be creative with the resources given to us.

Now, try this on.  Ephesians 4:32, " Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ Jesus forgave you."  Backwards works with this scripture.  Let's step it off  in reverse.
1) Jesus Christ forgave you
2) Forgive others
3) Be compassionate
4) Be kind

     These are character traits that we can knit to our lives and actually make paying it forward a lifestyle that pleases Christ first, then others next. And we know that just as someone did a good deed for us, we can in turn do a good deed for someone else.  Face forward.

   
     We have to look backwards, both in reality and spiritually, in order to pay it forward.
     Backwards works.  Let's keep wearing this.

     Keep Looking Up!  And, thank you for reading our blog.
     J:m and L:nda