To say 2020 was a difficult year is severe understatement. The beginning of a worldwide pandemic that robbed people of their jobs and loved ones. Cultural anger leading to violence and broken communities. An election that showed a deeply divided country.

Needless to say, people are glad that 2020 is finally over and are looking forward to the upcoming year. But, if there’s one lesson that we have learned from 2020, it’s that we don’t have as much control over our lives as we think we do. 

We don’t know what tomorrow or the next week or the next month will bring. 

We don’t know what event will completely turn the world upside down next. 

We cannot control everything.

Yet, God is sovereign and steadfast, holding us and this world in His hands. Unexpected and devastating events are bound to happen, yet we have hope in the fact that the battle has already been won! Jesus came to fulfill the work of the Christ, and declared “it is finished!” on that cross. So, rather than focusing on what we want to accomplish or experience in 2021, let us look towards the new year with a sober mind – reflecting on what 2020 has taught us about our plans – and plan on redirecting our trust to the Lord’s plan, holding fast to the hope that we have in Christ. 

“Our hope is not in the new year… but in the One who makes all things new.”

Praise God for 2020 and praise Him for what is to come in 2021!