It’s been a year to remember and a year to forget. We are not the same people. The world is not the same. How we do things is not the same. The things we looked forward to are not the same. Life is not the same.
Some think 2021 will be a year to calm things down. Corona virus could make a difference. The US Presidential election is decided supposedly…etc… But I assure you this is not the case.
There is no such thing as a “President-elect” until it is voted upon on January 6th. Who knows what will happen then. The virus could rage on and the politics of it as well. It’s just too powerful of a control tool as it is also real. The financial world is reeling from closed business and the stock market globally is tottering. World powers outside the US are flexing their muscle in quiet but notable ways. Refugees and war and drama still persist.
It could be discouraging except that God is still on his throne.
The year 2020 was a really powerful year in the kingdom. People kind of have been waking up and praying more. The kingdom has been advancing quite powerfully. One major faith group is kind of seeing their faith for what it is and leaving en masse. The world understands more clearly than ever before that life is tenuous and “normality” can be uprooted globally too.
Charles Dickens says “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I think he wasn’t making the statement as making an observation on how life works. The very best of times and the very worst of times go hand in hand.
Think of young men serving on the battlefield. It’s terrible and awful. And yet at the same time they never felt more filled with purpose, excitement and a deep brotherhood that they can’t find anywhere else. It’s the best, it’s the worst.
I honestly think 2021 is just a warm-up to these kinds of things. More terrible things are imminent, more wonderful things in God are imminent. I am convinced in my inner being that we will be seeing both.
If I had a family, I would honestly be thinking of emmigrating at this point. I don’t know where but somewhere. Maybe Brazil or Singapore or who knows. Just away.
But the way of the kingdom is that shepherds and leaders don’t run when the fire gets hot, they stay with the sheep. I’m not a shepherd or a leader, but I’ve been given so much with Bible training and study. In such times as these, it’s more important to stay. Even if it means suffering.
Now some may think that’s ridiculous. Times won’t get that hard. But look at the history. We are following down a road that’s been traveled many times. And it has always lead to some really bad places. At the same time the openness for the things of God I will think will be exponentially greater.
It’s not a time of fear, but it is a time of faith. Ever-increasing faith.
