By: Nicole McCoy, Missions & Outreach
Many around the globe are rejoicing as they leave 2021 behind. A year filled with many unknowns, many fears, many tears and many changes, this world we once knew is now unfamiliar in thoughts, attitudes and actions. Thankfully, Christians are assured of one constant that remains true. The hope that we find in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! His divine purpose for us is the same today as it will be tomorrow, to glorify Him!
God has plans for you and for me. As His workmanship, Ephesians 2:10 tells us “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We can see clearly our task at hand. We also read in the New Testament of an emphasis being placed on us as God’s mission is entrusted to His disciples when He commands us to love God and love one another. Love for our neighbors includes reaching out and concerning ourselves with their spiritual, physical and emotional needs.
In the excitement and anticipation of a new year and new beginnings can your heart beat be Ephesians 2:10 overflowing from you out of your love and gratitude to our Lord?
Can this new year be the motivation needed to bring hope and stability in this changing and lost world?
Would your purpose in 2022 to make this the year you bring glory to God through the good works He has prepared in advance for you to do?
As you reflect on missions and outreach how does Ephesians 2:10 fit into your heart, your family, your church and your community?
Outreach or Reaching Out (is how I like to refer to it as) is looking beyond yourself to the people around you and sharing with them the hope and love of Jesus Christ in real and practical ways. People need people. We are made to connect and love and care for one another. We are made to do good works. Missions and Outreach are connected for good reason. When we do good works, as we were created to do, and we do them in the name of our Lord and Savior, we are bringing the hope of the gospel to those around us and we glorify God simultaneously! This is our heart beat! This is what gives us life and brings love and hope to a dying world around us.
Now more than ever as Christians we need to examine our “heartbeats” and remember who created us and why we were created.
This new year may your hearts beat with resilience, resolve and love as you reach out to those around you in the precious name of Jesus Christ for His glory!