I'm fairly certain that most individuals in this world would agree that the year 2020 was a bit unprecedented. From a world standpoint, the COVID-19 pandemic swept through nations, causing immeasurable havoc. From a national standpoint, coupled with the pandemic was unreal political and social unrest and violence.
A three-part lesson 2020 really brought home is how broken and fallen the world and mankind is, how powerful the spiritual forces are, and how tremendous a Christian's hope can be.
It hurts my heart to see loved ones afflicted with the impacts of sickness, our government creating laws pertaining to social interactions that a year ago would have been unimaginable, friends and families being separated, people I grew up with becoming extreme political activists in support of groups and movements in opposition to God, and even small businesses being shut down. Today, while America still touts the 1st Amendment, free speech is already starting to become less free -- if one's political or religious opinion is different than that of the general public (or the loud few?), he or she is often ridiculed, judged, and even at times faced with physical violence. Even among relatives and friends, certain (previously "safe") subjects should not be broached.
Broken. We've always been broken, and 2020 helped me to see more clearly the extent of this brokenness. While my thoughts easily become anxious about the state of the world and I keep wishing for "how things used to be," I am praying for the strength and discipline to continually give thanks and look to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. For strength to genuinely give thanks that this world is temporal and its beauty and gifts are passing away. Some of the evil going on in the world and the anxiety threatening to grab hold of my heart point to just how real sin is. At the same time, the truths of God's Word, love of His people, and comfort from His Spirit point to how real our God is.
The incredible truth for those of us who follow Jesus is that while the world is -- and has been! -- broken, this is NOT OUR HOME. It has never been our home. Our earthly standing is not our identity. Our identity starts on the spiritual level and works out. Oh, for grace to more fully grasp and rejoice in this truth!
So, while 2020 has been a bit of a mess, and it was probably only the beginning (although we could still have a revival!), I would not say it was a "bad" year. No, while my shortcomings are depressing at times, 2020 helped me to see and hope more in Jesus, better appreciate His people and fellowship, and cherish corporate worship.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:18-39 (English Standard, italics mine).
