Is anyone else SO DONE with 2020? I have plenty of moments when I just want to put on my yoga pants and watch Netflix until 2021. 

Of course, I know I can’t do that (unless I want to add unemployment to my list of issues this year).  

The fact is…I am tired.  I am tired of dealing with uncertainty and disappointments. I am tired of fighting this battle called 2020. 

There was a time in Old Testament history when the Israelites were probably tired too.  They had endured a lot as a people and then were exiled away from their homes.  One group ended up in Persia. 

Just when it seemed like things were somewhat settling down, a madman named Haman convinced the king to write an edict, allowing for the Jews to be annihilated.  Thankfully, Queen Esther stepped in but she could not undo what the king had done.  However, she along with her cousin Mordecai were able to write another edict empowering the Jews to fight back when they were attacked. Here was the people’s response:

“And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday…”  ‭‭Esther‬ ‭8:17‬a ‭ESV‬‬

Are you as confused as I was when I read that?  The original edict was still in place but just knowing they could fight back gave the Jews a reason to celebrate. 

The more we walk out 2020, the more it feels like the enemy has written an edict over this year.  And while we would love to see it all just go away, it doesn’t seem to be playing out that way.  But this passage reminds me that even though we may still have to fight, we can have joy and gladness too.  

How?  “….We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”  Romans‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭MSG‬‬

So, the mask may need to stay on for now but the yoga pants and Netflix will have to wait.  I have a battle to fight.  

I will praise.  I will worship.  I will pray.  I will walk in confidence and yes, even joy. 

~Anu

Photo by Arisa Chattasa on Unsplash