You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
I have never really enjoyed New Year’s. When I was younger, I would go out and celebrate but to me, it is kind of a silly holiday. What was the point in celebrating a new year when everything stayed the same? Nothing really changes. You celebrate this new beginning but you wake up and it’s the same thing, different day.
I know this sounds rather cynical but that’s where my head was.
Until this year.
In 2020, it felt like a lot of things fell apart. COVID hit. People got sick, some didn’t make it, many lost their jobs. We began social distancing, isolating and living in fear....of each other. The social climate also exploded. There was a lot of violence, riots, protests and hate. I dislike saying that but it is true. Layer on top of that the politics. I live in the Washington DC area. That’s all you hear about on the news. The negativity reached new levels this year. I stopped watching the news on TV.
All of that, was what summed up 2020 for so many people and I am sure I am not adequately putting into words the pain and trauma so many people faced.
But God....In 2020, I saw God move in more ways than I have ever seen Him move. I know He is always moving and working and doing something but this year, I saw it more clearly than ever before. I watched Him convict hearts, change people, and change me. We planted a church in 2020, virtually, in the middle of a pandemic (who said God doesn’t have a sense of humor). I saw him lead people on journeys that changed their lives. I saw people healed from sickness. And I watched people hold on to the truths in His Word and submit their lives to His authority. He showed up in dreams and visions. He spoke clearly to people who were searching for Him and led them to steps of faith that they never thought they could do. He answered many, many prayers.
New Year’s rolled around just like it always has but this year, I celebrated. I celebrated what God did in 2020 and I am celebrating what He will do in 2021. When I woke up on January 1, things were pretty much the same as they were when I went to sleep…..except for one thing. My typical New Year’s attitude was gone.
In its place was an excitement. I am excited to see what God is going to do in 2021. I can’t wait to see Him move. I look forward to being blown away by how much he loves us and the many different ways He shows us.
I know I will see Him again in 2021. Why? Because just like in 2020, I will be focused on Him and what He is doing. I will be asking Him what He wants from me and I am going to join Him in the adventure.
Happy New Year’s everyone! I pray God shows up in your life in a real and tangible way. Look for Him. I know you will find Him.