My New Year's Resolution

After much conviction, my "New Year's Resolution" is simply to do what God has called me to do since I made the decision to be a follower of Christ in the 7th grade; simply to be intentional. To intentionally live my life every moment to glorify God by serving others wherever I go and whatever I do.

One question I have been asking myself is what would happen if certain churches, who are called to be God's hands and feet, suddenly disappeared off the map. Would our communities be any different? Would they suffer in any way? Sadly, many towns would be left completely without impact. Have we forgotten our challenge written in Acts 1:8 "And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth?”

In my life, I think I have been more apathetic and content rather than under this conviction. This year, I lost two of the most influential people in my life, my Granny and Papaw. They lived a life in servitude to others and made sure that they taught their grandchildren to do the same. Now that they are gone, I want to be able to continue their legacy I know that they wanted passed down to other generations.

I now realize that I do not have the right to complain about what the church is or is not doing if I am not living in obedience myself. And don't we live life dedicated to excuses? "I can't give because I don't have enough money," "I can't serve because I don't have the time," or "I can't love because I haven't been loved myself."

God has let me know that this is complete foolishness. In 2 Corinthians it says,"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." Whatever we own is not our own. No matter how small or large, we should be willing to give and give cheerfully.

God has also laid upon my heart that we don't have to "make time" to be kind. God just wants us to be intentional everyday in the way we live our lives. Take time to make the most out of every moment. If you go to Walmart, intentionally love your cashier. If you go to work, intentionally serve and help your co-workers. God has been telling me that I am already in movement, I just need to open my eyes to all the opportunities that surround me. 

And if your excuse is that you can't love because no one has ever loved you, let me share with you the best hope you will ever receive. "For God so loved YOU that He gave His only Son that if you believe in Him YOU will not perish, but have eternal life!" (John 3:16) This is a promise, you are loved!! Because of this hope, He challenges us to love others because "He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

In conclusion, this challenge is going to start with me and my family. We have decided to at the least be intentional on a weekly basis, and share God's love through "random acts" within our community. I will be posting weekly blogs and pictures not to brag, but in hopes that it will also challenge others to live 2012 more intentional as well!

Please feel free to post your testimonials on here as well. I also plan on posting "acts of kindness" ideas, but would also love to hear your ideas as well.

Again, I am not doing this for any sort of praise or recognition. Just the opportunity to inspire just as Christ and others has inspired me.

Many blessings to you and your family for the New Year!!