What goals do you have for the New Year?  
Lose a few pounds? 
Start exercising? 
Be kinder, gentler, more Christ-like?
Read the Bible through in a year? 

All are good and valid goals. But how about this one: pray for the opportunity to lead one person to faith in 2024, and then disciple them in the ways of Jesus. 

Just one person. 
One person led to Jesus in 2024
Then help them in their first steps as a Jesus follower. 
That’s it. 
That’s the goal.

Maybe you have the person in mind that you would hope to lead to Christ. It’s your child, grandchild, neighbor or friend. Maybe you don’t know the person yet. You’ll need to pray, “God, show me who and then help me talk to this up-until-this-point-unknown-to-you person.”

Leading and discipling a person in the ways of Jesus is the single, most important thing you can do in 2024. Hands down. There is nothing greater. Not climbing Mt Everest. Not winning an election. Not getting gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Nothing else is as important.

Which do you think matters in light of eternity–  an Olympic gold medal or a person walking on streets of gold?  Which would you rather say at the end of 2024—”I lost 10 pounds” or “a lost friend found Jesus” (OK, I hope to say both things).

Just as in any goal, it doesn’t just happen without effort. If you want to see lost people find Jesus in 2024, pray every day that God would give you opportunities and the courage to share his love when given the chance. Pray. Every. Single. Day. Pray for those that have yet to begin their walk with Jesus. Pray for the eyes of the Father; the Heart of the Savior and the words of the Spirit to be at work in you.

You will be surprised at how Jesus answers that daily prayer!

Happy, Hope-filled, Christ-filled 2024!