Hindsight
HINDSIGHT: (definition) understanding of a situation or event only after it has happened or developed.
As I reflect on the past year, I’m so grateful for the goodness of God.
2020 was a year of shaking and pruning--a year where I experienced deep pain and exponential growth. It was a year of both abiding and great awakening—a year of heartbreak and breakthrough.
It seems as though everything that can be shaken was shaken. Relationships tore apart, finances suffered, jobs destroyed, and lost loved ones.
2020 was hard.
It was unexpected.
2020 was unknown.
And yet, God was faithful in every single moment.
Last year granted us the choice to either lean-in or numb-out.
We could immerse ourselves in Netflix binging, online shopping, and way too many Doritos (yes, I had those moments), or we could press in, seek God, allow Him to work within us, and draw closer. We could grumble and get bitter, or we could keep praising and allow God to change our hearts.
Pruning and producing
2020 was a painful year.
A necessary year.
It was a revealing year.
While many of us would like to blame our behavior or our unbelief on the trials we have faced, the hard truth is that problems don’t make us bitter; instead, they expose the bitterness that is already living within us.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3
Last year allowed the tilling of the soil of our hearts. Weeds have uprooted. Stones removed. I believe that the pruning we experienced last year will produce great flourishing in this next season with all of my heart.
We are praying and believing that 2021 will be a year of Revival, Restoration, Redemption, and Returning. I think that this will be a year when the Church shines the brightest. The year 2021 will be a time for restoring relationships, bodies healed, and the prodigals return!
Treasures in the darkness
Isaiah 45:3, “I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness - secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.”
In the moments of darkness, God desires to do a more profound work in His people. He is speaking, and He is preparing you.
As I look back over the past year, I realize now that many of the things that appeared to be problems were God’s divine protection and provision. While we don’t always understand what God is doing, we must remember that He loves us. He is always working for our good and His glory.
I pray that you will choose to press into God. I pray that all that the pruning you have experienced would produce new life! I pray that God would deposit new dreams into your heart and that you would fully embrace His call on your life this new year!
No matter what lies ahead in 2021, let’s seek Him with all of our hearts, desire Him with every part of our being, and continue to allow Him to do the deep work in our hearts that is necessary for us to become entirely devoted followers.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
We remain expectant and hope-filled because we know that God is our Redeemer, our Restorer, and our Vindicator! He makes all things new! The best is yet to come!