What Has God Done?
We are just days away from 2021. I imagine the majority of people are ready and happy about the new year’s arrival. There are enough meme’s and jokes that have circulated around our social media and text message threads that testify of everyone’s readiness for 2020 to be over. How gullible are we? As if a new calendar year would rid the world of all her problems and absolve the presence of sin. That makes as much sense as a sailor bailing water from an already sunken ship. While I can gladly commend the hopefulness, what is even more commendable and true is to remember the “new” we actually need. The new that we long for will only come with the new heavens and earth, when He who sits on the throne declares,
Behold, I am making all things new.
Revelation 21:5
Christians, the reason we can have hope for 2021 is not because of a calendar year, but a person, the God-Man, Christ Jesus [1 Peter 3:15]. He is the one where our hope resides because everything and everyone is subject to Him [Philippians 2:8-11; Hebrews 2:8-9]. Therefore, brothers and sisters, to put it rather bluntly, we must get a grip. Our theology is not rooted in a number as temporal and fleeting as 2021, but a name, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us think like one who has been regenerated by the Spirit of God and not the natural man. Every born-again disciple of Jesus must pump the brake and stop prior to reaching 2021. Stop for what reason? 2020 is no wash. 2020 is no waste. Those are thoughts of the mind set on the flesh, not the Spirit. To believe otherwise is an indictment on the very character of the God whom has saved and is saving you. Remember, the Sabbath was a model for us by God, but not a need of His [Genesis 1:31]. This means He is always working [John ]. His work is according to His plans [Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:28]. His plan always has a purpose [Habakkuk 2:14]. In other words, God has done things for you in 2020 and we would all do well to reflect on His work. This practice of looking back on God’s work in the past is seen throughout the Bible.
The Exodus
You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Deuteronomy 5:14
Twelve Memorial Stones at the Jordan
And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” Joshua 4:21-24
Prior to entering 2021, a growing disciple of Jesus must look back at 2020. Therefore, take time to reflect on all God has done for you in 2020. Here are several thoughts to guide you.
Escape to a quiet place. You need a moment without distractions or responsibility, so you can listen to the Holy Spirit’s voice.
Record the ways God has worked in your life. Grab a journal or notes app on your phone. Use bullet points to record the things God’s done. Additionally, writing will help you be intentional and creates accountability. Now you have concrete evidence there was no waste of time.
Prayer of thanksgiving. Look at what you have written and worship God through a prayer of thanksgiving. Every bullet point recorded is a line to sing praise to God. It doesn’t have to be sophisticated singing with your prayer, it only needs to be honest.
Share with others. God’s work in the life of a Christian is not one-dimensional. It serves others. You sharing what God has done in your life supplies encouragement to others. It might encourage them to reflect back on 2020. It might even give them hope as they walk through a difficult season. Consider sharing this with your spouse, children, church family, or the pastor of your church.