As we neared the end of last year (2019) I was thinking about the direction/vision for the New Year for our church. How could we communicate it, what would be the theme? It seemed to be a no-brainer: 2020 vision, seeing clearly in a new year, having the right focus, etc……..you get the idea.
Needless to say, the year turned out much differently that we envisioned. As we come to the end of this crazy year, I think it’s good for us to check our hindsight vision. Afterall, hindsight is 2020, is it not? That’s what is said in the cliché. But seeing clearly what is behind us might not as easy as we might think, especially as it relates to this past year.
What are the top five spiritual lessons you have learned in 2020? That’s the question I asked myself and a few others whose opinion I value and trust. Some of their responses included:
Only trust God and your mama (and your spouse);
The Bible should be your first and main source for news;
We must have the regular physical gathering of our spiritual family, the church;
We knew we took a lot of God’s blessings for granted, but 2020 helped us to see that collectively in a deep and profound way;
True justice is (and one day will fully be) only found in Jesus.
Much of what I hold tightly can be (and will be) shaken.
Here are the top spiritual lessons I learned in 2020.
I am not (nor is any other person) ultimately in control; God is! He is absolutely sovereign in all things and is working all things together for his glory and the good of his people. No pandemic, political or cultural crisis or personal event changes this reality.
Fear is as contagious as any virus, and so is faith. What I’ve seen unfold this year reminds me of what I see in the animal kingdom. When one animal perceives a risk, everyone’s eyes and ears perk up. Flight or fight kicks in, and soon chaos prevails. A confident trust in God’s sovereignty and loving care is incompatible with fear. I have benefited and been blessed through the witness of people I love and trust who have focused on the surety of God’s love and faithfulness instead of the “what ifs’. They have helped me remember that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31)
Some things I thought were essential are not, and some things I might have thought were not essential, are in fact, absolutely necessary. Foremost in this category is the physical gathering of my church family. I have learned I’ll be fine without things like sports events or going to a restaurant. I will not do well or be well apart from the physically regularly gathering with my spiritual family. No online event or TV broadcast can take the place of this face-to-face fellowship. The church is referred to as the body of Christ for good reason; individual parts survive and flourish only when physically connected to each other. Our progress in sanctification is slowed, if not completely derailed, when we are separated from each other.
The unity of this spiritual body, my spiritual family, is precious and fragile. We began 2020 in Ephesians and saw there that the shed blood of Jesus is the basis for our unity (Eph 2: 13-ff). This year has shown us how easily temporal issues, earthly pursuits, political positions, pandemic perspectives, etc. can wreak havoc on the unity of Christ’s church. This reality relates closely to the importance of us meeting together. As one brother said, “Not being able to be in the same location with my extended church family breeds contempt and being together covers a multitude of differences.”
Finally, and on a personal note, Susan and I have been reminded throughout this crazy year how extremely blessed we are to be a part of this community of faith. During these months when so much we were used to has changed, what has not changed is the constant love and support of God’s people. God brought us here thirty years ago; he has continually kept us, sustained us and blessed us through his church here at Westwood. Throughout these three decades you have walked with us, held us, celebrated with us, and cried with us. We thank God for you!