We celebrate that we are almost at the end of the year 2020. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have touched every life. The physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of our lives have been devastated. Goals have been abandoned and dreams have been shattered. Even our spiritual life has been threatened.
Were you or anyone in your family infected by the virus? Did you experience the death of a loved one – a spouse, child, parent or close friend? Were there problems with your marriage or other relationships? Were you challenged financially or with other health issues? Were you a victim of unemployment? Know that you are not the first or only person who has had to deal with any of these or other issues. Most of us were suffering together in one way or another.
Family members and friends, out of concern for our welfare, ask my wife and me how we are coping. We have a simple answer. Our faith in God empowers us to triumph over situations and circumstances. We trust God and believe God will keep God’s promises. By God’s abundant grace we celebrate hope, love, joy and peace which are eternal gifts that no one or nothing can take away or destroy.
God came among us in the person of Jesus Christ to show us how to live victoriously through difficult times. God loves us and cares about us. God will never abandon us if we put our trust in God.
The author of Hebrews wrote, “We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses.” These are the people who have run the race and won. Their witness motivates us to run and win also. We have an inspiring heritage. By God’s grace and with God’s help we are “more than conquerors through Christ who loved us and gave himself for us.” God is on our side and we seek to be on God’s side.
We look back and our hearts are filled with gratitude and thanksgiving. We have been through trials, temptations, and challenges but we trusted in the promises of Jesus and he always came through with flying colors. Our eldest sister-in-law, an older brother and his daughter died within a two week period in April. Because of the coronavirus, we couldn’t attend any of the funerals. We identify and share with those who have these experiences. But we gain strength and comfort from God’s word. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we shall fear no evil because God is with us.
We were surrounded by many people who loved us, supported us and prayed for us. We found strength, encouragement, and courage in these relationships.
Our eyes are fixed on Jesus. He is our motivator, and our goal which is to become more like him. We know that the work that God has started in us will be brought to completion. Our responsibility is to do our part. Jesus said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (that we need) will be given to you as well”(Matthew 6: 33). Jesus already has first place in our lives so we believe that he will do the rest which is the best for us.
There are twelve major aspects or parts to my life. Our spirituality permeates all of them. We work to have balance among them. It’s like our garden. The ground is available and we sow different kinds of plants – tomatoes, peppers, beans, etc. The ground sustains all the plants and God gives sunshine and rain, but we have to take care of each plant in order to get a bountiful harvest. We control the weeds. In the same way if our spiritual life is in order, God will provide the harvest. God proved that for us over and over again.
Our focus is ever on Jesus. We recall all the things he has done for us and the rest of humanity. We count our blessings; we name them one by one, and we are surprised at the marvelous things that God has done for us. We celebrate God’s goodness and mercy, love and grace.
The turmoil and chaos in the world around fade into the background. We are concerned about all the evil that is going on. But we remember that Jesus promised he will never leave us or forsake us. And we claim and celebrate the victory which Jesus has already won. We know we have been forgiven. Our heart is filled with God’s unconditional, eternal love, ever-abiding hope, joy unspeakable, and peace that is indescribable. Our eyes are not on what is seen but what is unseen, not on what is temporary but what is eternal.
We are fulfilled and satisfied because of the sufficiency of God’s grace. We live the abundant life which Jesus shared with us and is available to all who believe.
