The year we all love to hate

“I’m so over this year.”

“2020 is the worst year ever.”

“Let’s just skip to next year please.”

We’ve all heard those words. Actually, we’ve all said them or at least thought them most likely. This has been a doozy of a year. I don’t need to remind anyone of the growing list of bad things that have happened. A certain virus and it’s repercussions tops the list for most of us. I’m going to assume that every person who happens to read this blog post has been affected directly or indirectly by Covid19.

And we’ve all seen a great deal of unrest, injustice and violence this year. For many of us, we are literally so done with 2020.

And yet...

What if you and I need a new perspective?

Fellow believers, is our hope in having a good year? 

Is our hope in the health of our loved ones?

 Is it in being comfortable and secure?

I am going to venture to say that the honest answer to these questions is, yes. Based on our collective response to 2020, our hope is largely misplaced. 

Now, I’m not saying that we have to pretend that everything is wonderful! Obviously, we have all experienced a great amount of sorrow and pain this year. It’s unhealthy to stuff our feelings and fake it till we make it. But what I’m saying is simply this: based on our social media posts and our conversations, if 2020 was the Philippian jail and we Christians were Paul and Silas, our chains would still be firmly in place because we are wasting our breath complaining instead of praising.

Is praise a magic wand that will help us turn our outlook around? No. But our response of rejoicing in the midst of trials is one of the most powerful lights we can shine to a lost and dying world. 

I’ve been reading 2 Thessalonians lately and I was struck by these words from Paul to the believers there:

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure (2 Thess. 1:3-4)

In the middle of persecution and tribulation, what happened to their faith? It grew. Exceedingly! And their love for each other? Surely it suffered a hit during that tough time. Nope. It abounded toward each other. But surely their patience wore thin. After all, we are all only human. Wrong again. Their patience was so exemplary that Paul and company boasted about it to other churches! 

I don’t know specifically what kind of trials those early Thessalonians Christians experienced. But I think it’s safe to say they went through some years that surpassed 2020 in all its badness.

I have been as guilty as anyone of complaint this year. Of wringing my hands and losing heart. Of growing incredibly impatient. But when I read about those early believers who grew in their faith, love and patience in the midst of trials, I am inspired! 

What if we ask God to help us as Christians to be known in 2020 for our patience, love and faith rather than our fear or anger or selfishness? What if we resolve to trust God and ask Him to get the glory from our responses? 

May our goal be to point others to Christ by our Spirit-filled lives. Even in 2020.