Something to do with yourself in 2019 …

Tired of the same old New Year resolutions?

Looking for something different, deeper, more purposeful to do with yourself in the New Year?

Let me give you three suggestions …

1. Be an ambassador for Jesus Christ. This shouldn’t be anything new for a Christian, after all, with our reconciliation to God came an appointment to be Christ’s ambassadors to the world:

“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!'” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

You might think since it is so clear-cut that with our salvation comes a vocation of ambassadorship that we would all be out there representing Christ to the world. That’s not the case. A recent survey revealed that a majority of Christians don’t even know what the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is! If that’s true, we’re failing to be the ambassadors God has appointed us to be.

Change that in 2019.

2. Be an advocate. Be a champion for someone who needs your help. That also should be “natural” for the Christian …

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you,” James 1:27.

“Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others,” 1 Corinthians 10:24.

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too,” Philippians 2:4.

“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God,” Hebrews 13:16.

There are all kinds of people in or “near” your life who could use your help, and numerous ways you can be helpful to others. Just one example, Scott Free Clinic would welcome your support as a Care Partner. By being a Care Partner with this international ministry, you champion the ability for people who are in need of help to get the critical help they need to changes their lives (you can learn more about becoming a Care Partner by clicking here).

Whatever you choose to do, be an advocate for someone in need whose life could benefit from what help you can provide.

3. Be an artist. Usually, we give little thought to how we impact the world around us. Imagine if how you live and what you do would make this world, or someone else’s life, a little more beautiful?

So why not be an artist?

You wouldn’t have to be an artist in the classic sense, although that can be a positive thing, but you can be an artist in the sense of creating something beautiful — a beautiful life, a beautiful marriage, a beautiful family life, friendships with others (especially with people in need) that bring the “beauty” of love, kindness and caring.

There are many ways you can artfully bring some beauty to this world, to your life, and to the lives of others if you just purposely set out to do so.

So what are you going to do with yourself in 2019? Being an ambassador, an advocate, and an artist might be great ways to make this New Year one you won’t forget … or regret!

Scotty