Wow, what a year 2020 was. It dawned so bright with possibility, only to shock us all and show the fragility of so much we depended on and took for granted. Plans, goals, hopes and dreams shattered before our eyes.
The "my body, my choice" crowd all of a sudden started living according to: "your body & mine, the government's choice." Job security turned out to be a lot weaker than we believed. "Home where they belong" stopped being only a homeschool viewpoint. People were so afraid of dying they became willing to stop living in hope of avoiding it. We voted on smiles and personality instead of policies, because after all, policy is written by viruses, right? I always thought legislation and the like belonged to the realm of politics, but hey, I guess we'll have to update the biology textbooks. No-exception pro-lifers discovered they had an exception after all, and were willing to vocally promote it too. Pastors closed churches and Christians promoted bloodying their (and everyone else's) hands with the brutal slaughter of of God's image and creation. A little pressure and a whole lot of fear certainly showed the depth of our convictions. 2020 sure wasn't integrity's year.
I think the greatest revelation and discouragement for me personally was the response, or lack of, from the church. We, who claim to be followers of and have a personal relationship with the Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Saviour of the world, for the most part responded to events in the same manner as everyone else. Those who of all people should've had answers, didn't seem to.
On a lighter note, all my reading of time management books culminated in many positive improvements to my schedule and life. I dedicated more time to friendships, read more, and threw aside my previous claims of not having time to plant a garden. I discovered Arthur W. Pink (honestly a highlight of my year. Definitely reading more of his work in future!) I spent less time mindlessly scrolling (anti)social media and more time with my knitting needles and Mum's sewing machine. My garden ripened and I transferred my harvest to the kitchen and then the dinner table.
Two of my sisters graduated and two were baptised. My little brother turned 21 and Juliana started talking. We replaced a fence and built the most heavy duty washing line in all of New Zealand. (Not that I've actually verified that last one.)
We hosted March for Life Auckland's first march with incredible success. It really was an amazing day. I have so many great memories and I'm grateful to have been involved. It was an honour to work alongside a wonderful team to pull off such a huge and successful event. You know who you are, thank you.
2020, the year singles went extinct. LOL. With wedding season kicking off I probably have some dress shopping to do (not white, sorry). But seriously, if you've made an announcement recently, I'm excited for you--congratulations.
As 2020 came to a close I reflected on what the year held, what I learned, and how I changed and grew through it all. I learned more deeply to keep my focus on Christ; that He is the One I am following: not those who claim to be Christ's preachers, Christ's ambassadors, or Christ's followers, but Christ alone. Also, no amount of church services, conferences, or Christian acquaintances can replace seeking and following God personally. Satan doesn't mind if you ride to hell on a church pew.
Twenty-twenty was quite the roller coaster and I'm so grateful to have peace deeper than my circumstances, and hope beyond emotions or news headlines to carry me through. As the battle between good and evil rages all around us, we don't have to give into fear and hopelessness. You know what? I've read the last chapter, and I know Who wins.
As a new year begins, I'm taking time to refocus. How can I best prepare for the work God has for me? What is the next thing He is asking me to do? How will my time and energy be best spent this year? What belongs in my schedule, and what should get the boot? Which opportunities that present themselves are worthwhile, and which are just distractions?
In 2021, I want to protect my private time with God even more. Having a strong and deep foundation is so much more important than attending every good or expected event that arises and Christianity isn't for show so I'll guard this portion of my schedule carefully. I want to read, study, and learn more from my Bible. I want to improve my prayer life and read more material by heroes of the faith and those who've experienced God's incredible power. I want to revive Bible memory in my life, although I haven't yet chosen passages or converted this to a measurable goal. If this is a habit in your life, do you assign specific amounts to a period of time? (eg. verse/week, chapter/month.) Please share in the comments below; I'd love to hear!
I expect this battle between good and evil will intensify during 2021. And recently, I've thought a lot about how Scripture refers to us as the light of the world. Light appears to shine brighter as the darkness deepens. Are we ready and prepared? Will 2021 be the year that integrity makes a comeback? Will our lights (lives) shine increasingly brighter as our world darkens around us? Or will they flicker and be snuffed out? What are we doing today to prepare and strengthen them?
As a new year begins I'm excited for the fresh page it offers, full of possibility. I'm looking forward to a whole new year of learning, growing, and fulfilling my life's purpose. I know there will be bumps along the way, but for now this is a time of dreaming, goal-setting, and rejoicing.
May your 2021 be filled with blessing and growing in Christlikeness. Happy New Year friends.
