Finishing 2020 Strong

     It can be safely said that 2020 has been unlike any year in recent history. The year began with a presidential impeachment which was followed by a global pandemic which (to date) has taken over 250,000 lives in the United States alone. As a result of the coronavirus businesses across the country have closed and millions are out of work. The summer was marked by racial tensions, riots and nationwide protests. A record-breaking hurricane season which saw 30 named storms, 12 of which made landfall in the United States. 2020 will stand as a pivotal year in history. While life will eventually return to some sense of normal, it will never be the same.

It is during times like this that Christians need to return to that old hymn:

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

     The darker the days, the more we need to focus on Jesus. The God who created the universe is still greater than anything that may occur in that universe. While 2020 may have been unlike anything we have ever seen, God knew from the beginning of time that this year would happen, and He was not surprised. He still holds all of creation safely in His hands.

     It might be tempting to start looking forward to 2021, but that would overlook the celebration of one of the most significant moments in history – the day God became flesh. The birth of our Savior.

     As troubling as the events of 2020 have been, mankind had a much greater problem – sin. Because of our sin, we were separated from God and condemned. In His mercy and grace, He provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him. He gave us the gift of salvation – His Son. If He can conquer our sin, there is nothing that has happened this year that has shaken Him.

     As 2020 draws to a close let us choose to turn our eyes towards Jesus. Let us follow the light of the star to our Savior. The events of 2020 will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

In His Service,