31/12/2020
2020
What a year… It’s the “longest” year – it couldn’t have ended soon enough. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, a global pandemic. Let’s not forget hunger, countless deaths, rising unemployment, business closures… human suffering.
So many things affected, and the way we were used to do things turned upside down. Travel was restricted. Kids had to home study. Work had to be done at home. Meetings are done virtually. We celebrate apart.
How does one cope when you’re not being used to being “boxed in”? Can anyone have remained unaffected? Depression, anxiety, fatigue, loneliness, stress – what else?
With all these happening it would be too easy to point the blame – who started it and why? But what if it wasn’t someone… but the world pushing back, shaking the foundations that man has built, reminding us of our mortality.
With all the things that has happened I refuse to let the pandemic steal my focus and my attention and would rather see things through different eyes. Trials and challenges would expose weaknesses and faults, limitations and fears but then, through introspection it can show us something even more meaningful.
2020 has brought us together – families and friends supporting one another, reminding us of what is important in life, even if we have to support each other from a distance. It has made us more resourceful and has strengthened us, having tested our resolve. It has taught us to share what little we may have with those who even have less. It has given us the chance to discover other things about ourselves and explore other things we can do. It has given us time to be by ourselves and think about life.
2020 to me is a year of Miracles – with the Good Lord’s hand of protection and guidance; and God’s grace and mercy flowing through our days, moment by moment as He molds us into the person we are meant to be. HE is our Emmanuel, GOD with us – filling our hearts with His agape love.
As 2020 comes to an end – it is Jesus Christ, our Hope and Light who opens the door to 2021. With He as our Hope I know that things will get better and as He is our Light, whatever darkness there is, is it He who conquers the darkness with His marvelous, everlasting light.
Let us welcome 2021 with a smile and open arms, raising our hands to heaven, to praise and honor the Lord, and in faith to receive GOD’s blessing of goodness and mercy, for everyday and any day of the New Year.
GOD bless us all.
Bro. Vince Avena
