Rick Mautz – Denver, Colorado … By now, many of us have already given up on our New Year’s resolutions (if we even try at all anymore). Maybe you were too optimistic about the changes that you wanted to make, or maybe the temptations you were struggling with were just too great. Maybe, if you had just had a little support, an accountability partner, it would have been different.

What is this New Year’s resolution thing all about anyway. Most of us know that there are things we should change in our lives, things we could do better. We think about what we “should do” during the year but just don’t have the time, the energy or even enough desire, so we keep putting it off till the new year, when we think, “I’m going to do things differently this year”, or “This is a good time to make some changes”. It’s good to want to improve our lives, and to put away habits that, let’s face it, just aren’t doing us any good.

Here is an opportunity for Christians to take seriously the way we follow Jesus’ example.  It’s wonderful to have Someone walking beside you, having your best interest in mind, providing a listening ear and the support you need to succeed in those good changes that you really should make. The church should be that–a group of Christians who support each other toward a more abundant life.

If you are the one needing support, or if you feel the calling to be the supporter, I have good news for you. The health ministry department of the Rocky Mountain Conference has developed a training program for “Health Partners”. We are currently updating the training to make it even better and will present the new version at the NAD Health Summit in the month of March. Till then, you can go to www.rmcsda.org/Health and watch the training videos for free. It uses coaching skills such as active listening and ongoing personal support, including motivation and accountability training. With these simple, easy-to-learn skills, you can make the difference for anyone, even yourself or your family. When your church holds health programs, you can help the participants put this new knowledge into practice. No prior medical training is necessary, so no excuses.

May we put into practice the way Jesus ministered and allow Him to minister today through you and me.  He did more than just give information. Through the Holy Spirit, He is always available to encourage and give support.  We can be a “Christ reflectors.” We can show our world what God is like as He works through us to touch those around us.

–Rick Mautz is RMC health ministry director. Photo by Mārtiņš Zemlickis on Unsplash.