THE NEW THAT'S IN VIEW

Whew! This journey in the vehicle called 2020 has been a road trip with a seemingly endless amount of twists and turns, blown out tires, and unexpected collisions. But if you are reading this post, you have survived. We have survived.

Many of us are quite happy to just push 2020 right over a cliff and move right along to 2021, but it would be unwise to not take some time to reflect on how good God has been even in the midst of all of the crazy. The Word of God says to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I am so glad it does not say that we have to be thankful for all things :-) Here are just a few things that I am very thankful for in the year 2020:

I, like many others, work in a high traffic environment. God has protected me and so many others from the coronavirus! Ain't God good!!! ("Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence."--Psalm 91:3)

God has pushed me out of my comfort zone so many times throughout the year, and He has allowed me to experience the blessings of faith-walking with Him!!! ("And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." --Hebrews 11:6)

My relationship with the Lord has grown more and more!!! There is beauty in knowing the Lord for yourself--knowing His nature, knowing His voice, and knowing that He has a special love for His children. ("See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God..." --1 John 3:1)

As we get ready to enter into a brand new year, it can be exciting and yet a bit fearful to see what will be around the corner. Who knows if the pandemic will be over in 2021? Who knows if our dreams and desires will finally come to pass? And who knows if some of us will continue to battle some of the same old things that seem like they will never go away? Only God knows for sure, but we can still be hopeful because of what God has said in these and many other scriptures:

"His mercies are new every morning." (Lamentations 3:23) We do not have to wait for the new year to make a resolution. God gives us a restart to serve Him each and every day!

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..." (Psalm 23:6a) Whether the days ahead will be filled will mostly good days or mostly bad days, we can still rejoice in the love, mercy, and goodness that God gives us on a continuous basis!

"This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?”" (Romans 8:15 MSG) This scripture lets me know that I am not put on this earth to just exist. I am here to live! Safety has its place, but we are not meant to let fear and familiarity keep us in a prison that is often disguised as our comfort zones. Go and live a good and abundant life!

Whether you prefer to cautiously drive up to 2021 or put the pedal to the metal and rush right in, know that 2020 served its purpose and so will the new year. Like lemonade, the new year will undoubtedly be mixed with a little bitterness as well as some sweetness. But do not forget the main ingredient--our Living Water who is Jesus Christ. We are going to make it, Lemonaders, through all 365 days one day at a time. Let us allow 2021 to point us to the One who sent His only Son so that we can remember that the battle is already won! Many blessings to you and your household, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!