We joke about having hindsight, but there is a saying going around that tomorrow morning, we will all have real “2020 hindsight” as one of the, if not the, worst years of our lives recedes into the past. Of course, it is a play on words but let’s face it. While there have been some things that have been positive this year, such as the way the stock market ended up – and the promise of several vaccines that could speed our recovery to a pre-Covid world, many people have suffered mightily.
Unemployment has been rampant, restaurants and places of business, for the most part, are struggling and time is passing us by. Mental illness is on the rise – people are weary. We want to get done with this year and on to 2021. In fact, you might say that many of us are wishing our lives away in the hopes that we can get right to the future and things will be bright.
So let’s stop dwelling on the past and look forward for a moment. We will have a new definition of “normal.” We will hug each other again! We will be able to go into a bank, a restaurant or another place of business without a mask! And, we are confident that as the vaccines become more commonplace, we will beat this virus and resume our lives.
Through it all, don’t ever forget that God is still on the throne. May 2021 be a year of peace, hope, encouragement, love and blessings. Our verse for tonight may seem a little premature but it will come to pass! Cling to the promises of Jesus. We are told by the apostle, the beloved of Jesus, in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
My encouragement this evening is that peace will prevail – a divine peace – that is the will of God. My prayer is that we will all have a wonderful 2021 and that we will rest in the love of God and cling to His wonderful promises! Have a great YEAR in the Lord, grace and peace… Happy New Year!