Grab a pen and notepad or pull one up on your phone. I want you to list the top 10 people who inspire you.

I’ll share mine with you:

1) Catherine of Aragon

2) Ruth the Moabite

3) Esther/Hadassah, the Jew

4) Catherine Middleton

5) Mary, mother of Jesus

6) Mother Theresa

7) Joanna Gaines

8) Cassie  De Pecol

9) Kelly Minter

10) My Grandma, Bernice Johnson

  This list is constantly changing for me throughout my life, but one thing I’ve noticed hasn’t changed. All of the people on my list, from where I’m sitting, went boldly after their life’s work. They knew who they were, they knew their talents, and they followed after a dream. For some, that dream was a calling, sent by God. That is our calling as Christians.

  It’s tough being a Christian today. Why do I get up every Sunday morning to sit in a pew for 1+ hour every week? Why do I not watch certain tv shows or movies? Why do I not follow what the other people my age do on weekend nights?

  Because I daily choose to be a Christian, I am choosing to be kept accountable to living a higher standard than the rest of the world. Is it tough? Of course! Are there times it’s so difficult that I’m tempted to give in? Sure. But I do my best not to because I know that BOLDLY living a Christian life will be worth more in the end, when I die.

  In 2018, my challenge for each of us is that we will BOLDLY come before our King, DAILY. That we will accept that we are each sinners; but more importantly, that we accept the amazing grace Jesus gives us. My challenge to each of us is to choose 1 area of our life that isn’t lining up with biblical teaching and boldly work on it. Enlist family members or friends who are following the Christian lifestyle themselves to help you & keep you accountable. By the end of 2018, we each can stand boldly as a Daughter/Son of God, ready and willing to His work better than we were in 2017.

  Is this challenge a little scary? I hope so. Because the definition of Bold is: showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous. It’s going to take some mental & physical work to complete this challenge, but I KNOW that with God’s help, each of us CAN.

  I have faith in us. Let’s go!