What a year! Am I right?
It’s been particularly challenging for relationships of all kinds, especially in the body of Christ. Areas in which we were able to be on the surface over the years were forced to be dealt with in 2020 thanks to the close quarters of home or the constant access to social media.
This was no exception for my family, but the Lord, in His infinite mercy, showed us how to navigate in ways that I believe have become lessons for life.
At the onset of the pandemic, a familiar foe named fear made a reappearance. Anxiety could be sensed throughout our home and there were many sleepless nights. We had to decide “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” (Corrie Ten Boom) and we made Psalm 91 our anthem.
My husband and I found ourselves getting on each other’s nerves and becoming short with one another. The truth is we had some ugly conversations. But now that we had finally been real with each other, it gave us the opportunity to reconcile our differences and arrive at a place of understanding. We recognize that we have our own opinions and positions about issues but we know that together, we are one in the Lord and none of those things are worth division. “Now, this is the goal: to live in harmony with one another and demonstrate affectionate love, sympathy, and kindness toward other believers. Let humility describe who you are as you dearly love one another. ” (1 Peter 3:8 TPT)
We realized how little is in our control as people around us became ill, passed away, and I myself struggled with sinus health issues. As a family, we found ourselves on our knees crying and interceding for healing and breakthrough. “… tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer[c] of a godly believer!” (James 5:16 TPT)
We saw disappointment at its worst through my daughter completing high school and beginning college. But after talking through it, we decided that “with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
Decisions had to be made about many hard things and we knew not everyone around us agreed. But we looked to God, our Source, to lead us and guide us. We trusted Him at His Word: “… I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)
Time became a luxury to us and it caused us to become intentional in our relationships. The number of memories and laughs from the past several months have left me in awe. “He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart …” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP)
The bottom line is that we have discovered how we fiercely love one another, will support one another, and fight for one another just as the body of Christ has been designed to function: “every member would look after the others with mutual concern, … In that way, whatever happens to one member happens to all.” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26 TPT)
May the Lord help us to be mindful of these truths as we say goodbye to 2020 and prepare to welcome 2021.
~Joyce
