It’s no secret this past year has been a most unusual one throughout the world. It seems almost as if death has reigned, and nothing has been left unchanged. Nevertheless, I’m grateful for this crazy year. Here’s why:
- God commands us to be thankful for everything. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the apostle Paul charged believers to be grateful in all circumstances. It is the will of God for us to be thankful even in the midst of a pandemic.
- In many ways, we’ve been forced to depend on God. From COVID to racial tensions to political divisions, we have needed the wisdom that only God can give. We’ve had to pray more and lean more on the collective wisdom of the Church – and that’s a good place to be.
- With the spread of COVID, many of us have had open doors to talk to non-believers about eternity and salvation. Sometimes fear of death has been the issue leading to a conversation. At other times, non-believers have simply begun to think about eternal matters as they’ve heard about little more than the daily number of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID.
- We’ve realized more about the importance of fellowship in the local church. The church may well still be too insulated from non-believers, but we have realized the value of meeting in person as a church. I pray we’ll not forget this lesson in the years to come.
- The global nature of COVID has shown us just how connected we are to the rest of the world. Though folks debate the origin of the virus, it appears that one sick man on the other side of the globe was the beginning of a crisis that would turn the world upside down. We’ve been reminded of a lost and dying world—made up of people bearing some of the same burdens we bear—in need of knowing Jesus.
- Via Zoom, we’ve connected more with our families during COVID. For Pam and me, both of our families live in another state. I’m not sure why it took a global pandemic to remind us to use available technology to connect, but I’m glad we finally wised up. It’s been fun, for example, to talk with my 92-year-old father-in-law through computerized technology.
- At least in my case, the craziness of the year has only strengthened my marriage. Pam and I have spent more time together this past year than we have in many years—and enjoyed every minute of it. I love and appreciate my wife more at the end of this year than I ever have.
- God’s been faithful the whole way. That’s just who He is—and He’s not let us down in these days of crisis. He remains worthy of our trust.
What reasons would you add to this list?
The mandated and strongly advised Covid changes helped me to address other long-neglected changes in other parts of my life.
The massive changes imposed on everyone made it easier to reflect and initiate changes I’ve put off far too long. It is not only a personal opportunity, but even the “We’ve never done it that way before” members of the church where I serve lowered their resistance and embraced the opportunity to take stock in the condition and purpose of our campus and ministries.