Christians, Happy New Year! 2021 is here and the year of infamy, 2020, is in the books. I have recently read, heard, and have seen a lot of people posting about the year 2020. They say how terrible it was, good riddance, and pretty much any and all forms of slander against this past year. As I was reflecting on the past year, I realize that in the physical there were many things that people could get upset about and attribute to the year, but in reality, I believe that the things that happened in 2020 were merely exposing foundational cracks in many people’s lives. I could see that anyone who doesn’t know God was severely shaken this year, as well they should be, but as for Christians, we should look at a year like 2020 and be seeing God move in our lives, just like any other year and be excited about what He was doing, no matter what transpired.
I say this as my wife and I are coming out of the largest test we have faced in our 12 years of marriage. Yes, it occurred in 2020, but I do not blame the year, or the situation, or God, but I look at all that we have been through and I see what God has been doing through this test and trial. I see the things He called into account, I see the things He removed, I see the things He realigned. God does nothing in vain. He is purposeful in everything He does. In James, it says to consider it pure joy, when we face trials of many kinds, because there is a higher purpose going on. God is developing character traits of patience and endurance, so that we may be mature and complete-lacking nothing. Even when God takes things away, it is to give us something greater on the other side.
When we understand that God goes before us, that our footsteps are directed by Him, then we can walk through unknown or uncomfortable situations with peace. God has never found His people in a situation that is unknown to Him. He works from the end to the beginning. Which means if we find ourselves in unknown situations, it should cause us as people of God to press into Him, knowing that the path is familiar to Him. We often refer to the lost, as the lost, because they are not on God’s path. They are headed to a destination that God never set them on and He desperately wants to get them in alignment with His path and plan for their lives.
As Christians, how do we look at all the “bad” that we may have experienced this year and understand God is in control. I reference my absolute FAVORITE verse in the entire Bible. In Romans, the 8th chapter, verse 28 says, “And we know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” I have stood through test, trial, tribulation, since I got my life on track with God and have firsthand seen Him working the most unusual things for my good. I know I am in His plan, I know that I love Him, so I also know, it is working for my good. So whatever we have faced this year, as Christians, called to His purpose, 2020 was FOR OUR GOOD. PERIOD.
Lastly, I want to address the importance of building on the right foundation. As Christians, we are given the example of two builders in the Bible. One who lays on a firm foundation and one who builds on shifting sands. 2020 could have exposed what people were building their lives on. I love the translation in Luke that says the wise builder “digs deep” to lay the foundation on solid rock. I think 2020 caused a lot of people to evaluate their lives and caused many more to start digging deeper and looking for a solid foundation. The latter part of the verse says “when” the storm comes, it doesn’t say “if” a storm comes. We will all face different tests, trials, and storms in our lives, so it is vitally important to have a strong foundation.
I pray that as we enter into 2021, we don’t look back at the last year and think good riddance to the year. I pray that if we look back and say good riddance to anything, it might be old mindsets we left, habits broken, or the wrong way we look at tests and trials. I pray that God would give us all a spirit of wisdom and revelation to understand what He is doing, and why He is doing it in our lives. I pray for strength, maturity, endurance, and patience as we enter into a New Year, 2021. God Bless and protect you, in Jesus Name, Amen.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:3-4 (NIV)
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 (NLT)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 (NLT)
“I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6:47-49 (NLT)
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:17-23 (NIV)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2021
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