Rockdale Citizen

"Our lives are to be indisputable evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

I saw this quote by Carter Conlon, senior pastor of Times Square Church in New York City, in a local church bulletin and I loved it. As a matter of fact, I loved it so much I cut it out of the bulletin and taped it to my phone at work. That way, I'd see it every day, read it and take it to heart.

What a fantastic reminder for us to act like, love like and be Christlike.

So, I was thinking, it's that time of year again to make resolutions and then pray that we can keep them.

And of course, I've got a few on my list. Let's see, be a better person all-around, lose weight, get completely out of debt and put more in savings, be a better employee, call people more, write more personal notes, finish writing thank-you notes from all of the wedding gala, and my list goes on -- be more appreciative of life, be the best wife that I can be for Kevin -- see I told you, my list goes on and on and on.

But this is what I'm resolving this year: that my own life is to be the indisputable evidence of the resurrection of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

That statement is about making life changes, or should I say heart changes. And if we truly live like the above statement, it will be very evident to people whom we serve first in our lives, hearts and homes.

The year 2009 brought a lot of changes for people. And 2010 will bring more. Whether those changes are good or bad or somewhere in between, it is imperative that you stand close to the Lord.

I am sure you have a few things you want to do differently this year as well, and I encourage you to do those things that better your own life, your family life, your job, your health, whatever it may be.

But if there is one thing that I encourage you to do the most different in 2010 it is to live following the words of Conlon.

There is something to be said about a life lived that reflected the life of Jesus. He didn't have to walk around with a cross around His neck, or a bumper sticker on His donkey that said "I am a Christian." I'm not saying those things aren't worthwhile, but you knew who He was and what He stood for -- and that was love.

The cross represents an infallible impression of God's love, and so should our lives. But we can't do that without being the evidence of His ultimate love. And we can't do that without having Him first in our hearts.

Be evident of Jesus.

Happy 2010.

Julie Wells is the editorial assistant in the newsroom at the Rockdale Citizen. She can be reached at julie.anderson@rockdalecitizen.com.