Wow. What a year this has been! I am sure that all of you can agree. It is definitely obvious that Covid-19 has made a HUGE difference in all of our lives. For me, this year has served as a reminder to lean into God and His promises for all things, and He will always continue to be faithful in growing me and sustaining me, and you, too! When asked what God has taught me this year, it is hard to narrow down even one or two things. Here are a few that I am so thankful to God for showing me, and I am excited to share with you!
I am created for communion with my Creator and community with His children.
There were many moments this year when being stuck in my little apartment to do schoolwork made me feel super lonely, as I am sure a lot of you can relate to. I always say that since I am an introvert, I really love my alone time. While that’s very true, and I feel like my best self when I have had time to think through things on my own, being alone more than usual highlighted to me that I do in fact need to be in constant communication and communion with my Creator. The beautiful thing is that even in the times I need to be quiet and recharge, the Lord is there as a place of peace and refuge for me. He gives me the best rest! He has also given us the biggest blessing in community with fellow Christ-followers. They are there to love us, sharpen us, and hold us accountable, just as we are them!
“ that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” - 1 John 1:3-4
Though everything around us is ever changing, we are rooted in the Strong One who will never fail.
“Rooted.” Oh man, what a good word! All of the crazy times of 2020 just reminded me how crazy fragile the world is. As humans, we are very impressionable and weak. We can’t see everything as God can, and because of this, the world’s struggles can be so confusing and can really get us down. However, just like Peter walked on the water when He kept his eyes on Jesus, we too can walk on the crashing and crazy waves of this world if we keep our eyes on the one who will never let us down. We can stand in the storm when we are “rooted” like a mighty oak in the strongest soil as a foundation!
“ Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith,
just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
- Colossians 2:6-7
God is a patient, kind, and loving father.
Like a lot of people, I think this year has been a challenging one for me mentally and emotionally. One thing that was constantly reiterated to me throughout all of my fluctuating emotions, my ever-changing routine, my moodiness, and my frustrations, was that God was present, giving me exactly what I needed for every single day. Let’s be real… Some days, I would only half-heartedly give my time to Him because I was sleepy, tired, anxious, or stressed. That is just real life, and especially 2020 life. But, He is so beautiful, kind, and understanding, and His grace is never-ending! I think that the more I realize that I don’t have to be perfect, the more I am excited to hurry up and sit in His presence! That switch - from spending time with God because we are supposed to do it to spending time with Him because He is the most wonderful, patient, kind, and loving Father there is - is a journey that is life-changing and freeing, and it is one that God keeps growing me on! <3
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace
be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” - Isaiah 54:10
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