Thank You 2020.

Thank you 2020. 

It was January first and the world defined you as the “year of vision.” Looking back, you brought more vision than any of us had ever asked for.

For those of us striving to be better versions of ourselves, you’ve given us the perfect occasion. The hardest pieces to chip off of our molded pots can only be done in the most desperate of circumstances. 2020, you were simply a molding tool in Abba’s strong hands. Real character is revealed in the fire, never on the showing table.  

You’ve made it a great year to pull the victim card; however, you’ve taught many of us how terrible of a room that is to live in.      

You suddenly grasped the control that we always had the allusion was ours. The control that has always laid gripped in the hands of our kind Father.

2020, after you tried to bury us in disappointment by stealing every dream and plan we had, you actually made us more like disciples of Jesus. Only true disciples can give up everything and continue praising God because we know circumstances don’t dictate his goodness. An opportunity to learn the truth that He was all we ever needed anyway.

You’ve given us the freedom to step into revival for our nation. In the midst of political and social divide, we’ve had the choice to join the fight or first fall at the foot of the cross and pray for those we disagree with. Scripture tells us flesh and blood is not our battle ground. Amidst our “stuck at home” agendas you’ve only given us more time to fight on our knees. 

We got to choose to close our doors for Covid-19 alone or for Covid-19 and restoration.

You gave us the chance to hold the gift of grieving that can bring us even closer to the Fathers heart if we let it. 

In the center of the deepest and darkest loneliness, you’ve secretly revealed the longing purpose of every soul. The Lord intentionality created us for radical, genuine, profound love. We were never designed to be satisfied with being liked. Lockdown coping mechanisms like social media and all time high screen times that only scratch the surface of the word “connection” won’t do any longer. Rising depression and anxiety rates are pointing back to our Creator in ways that people don’t recognize yet.

If it wasn’t for the pain of an empty seat across the table from us this holiday season, we wouldn’t have learned to hug people tighter, hold their hands for longer, and love them presently. It’s the little things that matter these days. We have been taught to cherish the sweet laugh of the person in front of us because we might never know the next time they will be in arms reach.

As Tik Tok and other social media consumed millions of minds every hour, you have given us all the space to come to terms with our real idols. No longer statues made of gold and silver, but apps and devices. Sometimes I have to wonder what would happen if we worked on our hearts as much as we looked at our screens?

2020, we could be angry at our circumstances or angry at the time we wasted in the circumstances you gave us. We know Jesus doesn’t waste pain nor seasons. Only we do.

I realized this year that while I have been busy defending and fighting for my ideals and comfort, Jesus was busy laying His life down for me. 2020, you radically redefined the word “hard.” But we refuse to be people who speak death over the last 365 days of breath we were given by the One who took our place at calvary to give it to us. 

Besides, only after death is resurrection possible.  

2020, yet again, we refuse to miss the miracle in the making; 2021, we’re ready for 365 days of new mercies and grace.