Challenges as per
Honestly, perhaps it is because I live in New Zealand - a country that went COVID free for over 100 days - and are still doing pretty well. Well, I know that it’s because of this that I’ve felt pretty calm throughout 2020. Covid-wise, at least.
Life and its usual trials and tribulations have still come hot and cold, to and fro, still ebbed and flowed. And it goes without saying that they will continue to do so.
But COVID. “COVID”.
The word of this year. The thing everyone has talked about - and are sick of talking about.
2020
So, instead, I will talk about the second least favourite thing people wish to talk about. 2020.
Raise a hand if, when things got tough, when unexpected things happened, when you hit that awkward point of a conversation, you muttered the words “Ah, 2020. Am I right?”
Am I right?
Not too bad?
But 2020 hasn’t been all too bad. And before I continue, I will return to my earlier point. Because of where I am, I have been afforded more optimism than many worldwide. More than many, many, many other people. An afforded luxury I don’t take lightly, but wish to at least share with other people. Like you reading now.
From a place where COVID has been more or less an afterthought for many people. I want to reflect on 2020 in more of a positive light.
Year of Vision
A consistent thought I have had throughout this year is 2020 is a year of vision. Many of us know what 20:20 vision is. And I think that’s what this year has been.
I think 2020 has widened ourl ability to see more clearly in front of us, from a number of distances and angles rather than simply twenty feet.
I see it as a year that has awoken many people. I see it as a year that has spotlighted traditional and harmful ways and ideals that have carried on for far too long. I see it as a year that has disrupted and displaced a societal status quo that is bringing cleansing to our world.
Racism is being fought against in a whole new way. Justification is sought fiercely throughout and democracy around the world. The younger generation’s voice is counteracting the harmful traditional ways creating suppression. Fair is being fought for.
Christ with us, all year long
And through it all, the last but the very much not least, Christ has been here. From the first moment of this year, right up until now, He has been here with each and every one of us.
All 2020 long.
Ultimately, the Church remained unchanged, unphased and unfaltered.
From around the world we all joined together for Easter through our devices. Our Churches continued online. We were able to preach without being a preacher, rock up to Church in our pyjamas and able to share our faith with taps of buttons.
The good 2020 brought
Communities gathered together; we had time to stop and reflect, to breathe, to pray more than we usually would pray. We went on walks with no one else but God. We had idols stripped away. Our own human ambitions and plans were brought to a halt. We had our purpose re-shifted, re-defined and re-sharpened in a way that builds God’s kingdom and fulfills his plan more so than our own.
This year has been unexpected. It threw people’s travelling plans. Career plans. Family ideals. Day-to-day routines. It threw it all. But it was cleansed. It awoke us. It disrupted this place and now we look around. We can choose to see the uncertainty, we can choose to see the pandemic that roars on - but we can also choose to see HIm.
It’s okay moving forward
And I say this especially to those carrying hurt, carrying uncertainty, carrying anger and anything else that is holding you down. In this time of reflection, of the year that will forever be written in the history books. I empathise with you as things haven’t made sense. But they weren’t meant to. And there’s no guarantee that that changes moving forwards.
What is guaranteed, however, is that our God was here. From the first day, until now.
Our God. Thee God, has been here in this place with us all 2020 long.
2021 and onwards
The God who will be here in 2021, 2022, and forever on. And if right now you’re not sure in faith, you can be sure in this. It won’t just stop here in 2020. But it's because of 2020, that we can be inspired, disrupted and moved to take 2021 on.
And then some.
So Happy New Year, everyone. I pray for a fierce year for you all.