2020 A Year of Very Low Lows and Very High Highs

Over the past several months, I've heard countless people say that 2020 has been a horrible year. 

I left work on March 13, 2020; a Friday-ready to start my Spring Break, but as we all know, everyone's plans were put on hiatus. 

I beg to differ that it has been a horrible year. As my title says, there have been some low lows, but I wouldn't accredit any of them to Covid. 

Overpowering any of those low lows however, are the very high highs that came this year. 

For me personally, one of my highest highs that has come out of this year is finding my "family" and the freedom and healing that has come and continues to come through that. Not my biological family, but my family of brothers and sisters who daily encourage and spur me on to Christ. Those who want to see me succeed and hold me accountable. Those who have surrounded me, held me and prayed for me when I can't stop sobbing. 

The funny thing is, I've known these people now for the better part of 3 years, yet this year something shifted and it had nothing to do with them, and everything to do with me. I decided to finally let down those walls of mine, and let these brothers and sisters in to all of my "mess". I've been learning how to receive love as part of my healing, and it has been beautiful. 

Another high has been gaining more focus and clarity in the things that the Lord has called me to. This year, He grew in me a desire not just for my city, but for the nations. So much so that I've woken up having dreams of specific nations; lately Afghanistan and India. I've been learning how to speak Dari, so that I can be a better witness, and seemingly out of nowhere, I got connected with a local ministry that is led by former Muslims who have all given their lives to Christ. 

And on top of that, I now get to serve and teach the children at my home church!

I don't know all of the plans that the Lord has up His sleeve, but I'm excited simply because I know the Power of the One who holds all of these things. 

Most people know that I really, really love the book of Hebrews, and that some of my most favorite verses are at the beginning of Hebrews 12:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, and set our faces like flint; it doesn't matter what goes on around us, because His sons and daughters know He is King and He is Sovereign. His plans cannot be thwarted. 

Psalm 46 says:

God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
2 Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah

Friend, I don't know if you have deemed this "the worst year ever" for whatever reason: you weren't able to travel, you weren't able to watch your favorite sports team, you lost your job, you got Covid or a bad report from the doctor, or you were simply stuck in the house, whatever it was for you....BUT

As Christ followers, we should have the same attitude as that of Paul in the book of Acts, when he says: 

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God". 

Link:  A Love That Remains