I pondered the question in this morning's devotional by Shala W. Graham “True or False: 2021 was a good year?” As I pondered, I thought that even while it was better than 2020, this year— 2021— was definitely not my favorite year and debatable as to if it were good, bad or somewhere in between. But as I read more of the devotional and Shala’s request to take a personal inventory I began to feel a need to reconsider.
Sure, physical distancing and masks and some of related societal incivility were far from desirable; in fact downright deplorable and despicable and disgusting. But despite the minor inconveniences, the larger economic and social and health difficulties, and even in spite of the other enormously difficult and nearly impossible challenges we have faced and fought, God has helped us endure the losses, survive the separations, and discover ways to overcome distance, differences and difficulties. Despite threats and injustice, injuries and setbacks, difficult days and long nights, and the deaths of dreams, desires and loved ones God has comforted our hearts, given our souls peace, strengthened our hands, blessed our families, and given us His favor and rescue!
Somehow the year 2021 reminds me of the phrases: "The power of light is most clearly seen in the darkness," and of Paul's declaration that God's grace is sufficient and His power is "perfected in weakness." It was in some ways a year of sadness and storm and darkness, and God knows the many times and ways we were weak mentally and physically and spiritually.
But God — Unconquerable Light! Unrelenting Grace! Undefeated Power! Eternal Sovereignty!
Perhaps 2021 will not be in the top two of my life thus far, but admittedly it has been a year that is tops in demonstrating the sovereignty of God, revealing all the more dramatically the love and comfort of Christ, and showing how this world's idols and wisdom have fallen short and silent, and found utterly lacking.
"True or False: 2021 was a good year?" True, because in all things we have been strengthened by His might, carried and comforted by His love, and made hopeful and helped by His light. And through all the things we have endured, we experienced His indescribable joy.
Happy New Year!
