My Christian Bucket List

Every January I look back at the previous year and assess where I stand in different areas of my life. Resolutions are a recipe for failure for me, though. Despite successfully accomplishing many goals I’ve set for myself over the years, I don’t think I’ve ever kept a New Year’s resolution. Maybe it’s because they’re usually grandiose and ridiculous. “I’m going to work out six days a week all year long.” Yeah right… This year I skipped resolutions, and I thought about what I might put on my Christian bucket list. There’s no timetable or pressure. Instead, I’m just taking an opportunity to think about what I might want to do sometime at an unspecified future date.

The Christian Bucket List

This list isn’t everything I want to do throughout the rest of my life, but the items on the list have been in my thoughts lately. Even if I don’t go seeking these things out, I think I’ll be more likely to take advantage of future opportunities, if presented, because this list exists. Anyway, here’s a quick look at five things I’d like to do if I have enough time before I’m face-to-face with Jesus.

#1: Go On A Mission Trip

I’m really hoping my husband isn’t reading this because I don’t want him to feel like I’m guilt tripping him. He’s going on a short mission trip this year while I stay home with our kids. It’s a great opportunity for him that will allow him to use his secular and pastoral experience. There are plenty of reasons for me to stay back, but I, unexpectedly, wish I could go along with him.

Early in my Christian life, I had no desire to take a mission trip. The entire idea was far too frightening to me. I’d hardly been anywhere, and I didn’t think there was anything I could offer as a new believer. Well, as I get older, I am more interested in seeing new places and experiencing different cultures. And although I see the United States as a valid and expansive mission field, I’m interested in seeing (with my own eyes) the gospel spread throughout the world.

I won’t be going anywhere in 2025, but I’m open to future opportunities if God has that for me. I even have some ideas for Him, if He’s interested.

#2: Visit The Holy Land

Isn’t the Holy Land on every Christian’s bucket list? I used to think there wasn’t much reason to travel all the way to Israel just to look at the places where events recorded in the Bible took place. I should also mention, I hated history. As I’ve homeschooled my children, however, I have come to love history. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not a source of knowledge in that area of study, but I appreciate it so much more than I ever believed I could.

Now, the idea of walking where Jesus walked is exciting to me. Israel is so unlike where I live that I struggle to visualize what I read about in His Word. I can only imagine how much more alive and real the Bible becomes once you’ve seen the places history unfolded with your own eyes!

#3: Take A Bible Class

God’s timing is always perfect, but in my case, God’s timing for my salvation was after I had completed my graduate degree. College was done for me, and I was really happy about that. Yes, I loved school and being a student, but I was ready to move on and to stop piling up student debt. (Maybe a story for another day.)

At forty-two years old, though, I wish I had the opportunity to attend a Christian college when I was earning my degrees. But at that time, there was no way I would have surrounded myself with Christians, adhered to Christian standards, or attended a Bible class. Today, as an academically inclined…O.K., I’ll own it. As a nerd, I think taking Bible classes would be a lot of fun. Growing up secularly Catholic, I would have benefited a great deal from that after my conversion. Alas, that wasn’t how my life played out, and I’m glad because my husband and I met when I was in graduate school.

I gave up on the idea of Bible classes a long time ago, but now I’m thinking after a couple of my kids graduate high school, I might have the time to take a few classes. A little more Bible knowledge never hurt anyone, am I right?

#4: Find A New Way To Minister In My Community

Small communities are difficult to reach. Everyone knows everyone, and a lot of people are very set in their ways. Also, there’s definitely a probationary period for people who are new to the area. Depending on your community, you can be the new person for decades. Seriously, people might refer to your house as “the Smith’s house” for years after you moved in because the folks in town don’t see your home as yours yet. Not to mention, if you misspeak and offend someone, then everyone will know about it, hurting your reputation. Ugh!

As you might be able to imagine, it’s not always easy finding a way to plug into a small community. It only becomes more difficult if you want to minister in a new way. I’m not sure how I can plug in more to my local community, and honestly, my natural inclination is to keep to myself and not get involved with people. However, I don’t believe that’s what God intends any of His followers to do. So, I’m keeping my eyes open for a ministry need I might be able to help meet.

#5: See My Family Get Saved

I’m what some call a first-generation Christian. None of my relatives are born-again Christians. Some believe in nothing, and some others believe in their own works. No matter where they fall on the belief spectrum, my conversion was offensive to them.

I made mistakes immediately after I got saved, and my family was harsh and accusatory. (Not a great combination.) It has been fifteen years, and our relationship still feels unnatural. Thankfully, it has continued to improve, and my husband and I have been able to share our faith over the years. As of now, none of my family has accepted the gospel, but I continue to pray for them. I know Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross was for them, too, and though I can’t force them to be born again, I continue to wait. I’d give up every bucket list, wish list, or personal gain I’ve hoped for if I could see my unsaved family come to the Lord.

Final Thought

My Christian bucket list doesn’t have anything on it that other Christians haven’t already considered. Nevertheless, I hope it encourages you to think about your own Christian life and what you would like to do while you’re still here.

Do you have a Christian bucket list? What’s on yours?

Image courtesy of Glenn Carstens-Peters via Unsplash.