As the New Year is right around the corner, (tomorrow at this writing) my Facebook news feed is blowing up with resolutions. Some of them are typical resolutions.

“I want to lose the weight I’ve gained in the last 2 months.”

“I want to get better grades this semester”

“I want to be better with my money.”

“I want to get a girlfriend.” (no, this is not mine. Yes, it was on my News feed.)

“I want to find a better team to cheer for, because I’m done with the cowboys”

All of these, and many more are what my Facebook friends are currently talking about. Some of these are very good resolutions, some of them are just plain funny. I wanted to spend just a moment, encouraging you to make a resolution that truly matters.

(Note: I am not downplaying the importance of resolving to improve fitness, health, money handling, and relationship strengthening, just simply wanting to add something for your consideration.)

One Soul

If you are like me, you are surrounded by a sea of people on a regular basis. You go to the grocery store, and people are everywhere, you sit in long lines at stop lights. You go to the movies, bowling alley, bank, gym, coffee shop, repair shop, and many other locations on a routine basis. All of these places that we go to, they have something in common, there are eternal souls there, that will spend all eternity in Heaven or in Hell.

How easy it is for us to get so caught up in the here and now that we lose sight of the fact, that we come into contact with individuals every day who will not spend eternity with the one who gave His life for them. It is easy to get complacent with our lives both physically and spiritually, but allow me to encourage you to add this to your resolutions for 2013. Let us lead one soul to know Jesus, and submit to Him.

Step 1: Write it down. As I have heard my whole life, a goal isn’t a goal until it is written down. Make a commitment on paper that you will do everything within your power to lead a soul to Jesus this year.

Step 2: Pray about it. It wouldn’t make much since for us to set a goal that Impacts eternity without soliciting the help of the one who created all that there is. 1 John 5:14 teaches that if we ask God anything according to His will, he will give it to us. 2 Peter 3:9 teaches that God does not want a single soul to perish. If you pray an honest prayer, asking God to help you fulfill His will, by leading a soul to Jesus, He will help.

Step 3: Open your eyes. The opportunities are everywhere around us. Sometimes, we just fail to look. Do not just simply go through the motions of the day. Treat people who you meet, like people, with a soul.

Step 4: Deny yourself. Why do we not reach out to the lost more? The majority of the reasons given in response to this question could be eliminated if we simply accepted the fact, that as Christians, we do not live for ourselves any longer. We live for Him (Luke 9:23, 2 Corinthians 5:20)

Step 5: Plant the seed: We know the passage 1 Corinthians 3:6. Discusses our responsibility in evangelism is to plant seeds. God gives the increase. It is not your job to convert the world. It is your Job to plant the seeds, so Jesus can convert them. I have something amazing to tell you, I have not been able to grow a single watermelon this year. Due in large part to the fact, that I have not planted any. I wonder how often we wish that we were “growing converts” but refuse to do the necessary planting?

I hope that each of you have a blessed new year. I hope the Lord blessed you abundantly, and you do not lose your focus on Him whatever 2013 may bring to you. I also hope that you will consider adding the resolution to your list. You will be blessed for your efforts!