When I was contemplating what to
write in this blog for 2021 God reminded me of the message that I
wrote concerning 2020 in January 2020. I would just like to share
with you a part of it:
"A dear friend of mine commented
the other day that the year 2020 reminded her of having 20/20
vision. I therefore Googled 20/20 vision and the following
definition was given:
"20/20 is a term used to
express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision)
measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision you can
see clearly at 20 feet."
So in essence if you have 20/20
vision you have good eye sight. And this made me think. Isn't that
the essence of the message for us all for the year 2020? That we
should all sharpen our spiritual eyesight so that we can see
clearly what God wants us to do.
God has a special plan for us all;
we just need our spiritual eyesight to clearly see the way, not
only for this life, but for our place in the Kingdom of God. It is
when we try to walk and plan our lives with our physical eyes that
we stumble and fall. It is when we see everything in the natural
that we get despondent and off the course that God has planned for
us. We need to open our spiritual eyes to see the world as He sees
it. In fact we need to see beyond this world, into the eternal
Kingdom of our God and Savior."
Now isn't that interesting? 2020
certainly was the year where you had to look at the world through
spiritual eyes, for if you looked at it through natural eyes you
would have been totally despondent. God certainly knew that we
needed His vision for the year, that we needed to look at
everything through His eyes. I must be honest; looking at 2020
through God's glasses was the only way that I could stay positive
and focused. Without Him, I think I would have crumbled.
2020 taught me so many things and I
certainly want to take that into 2021. I would like to share
shortly just a few of the insights that God gave me in 2020 and I
believe that it will give you hope for 2021:
- We need to get off the treadmill of this life. We keep on
running and running in a race that takes us nowhere. We need to
stop participating in this race, get off the treadmill and walk on
the road that God has ordained for us. To be part of the treadmill
race is silly. We are just so used to it and think that this is the
way that life should be, but we have a choice. We don't have to
participate in the competition in life. We are free, free to be who
God created us to be.
- We need to appreciate the ordinary things in life. A flower
blooming, birds singing, new leaves growing, the laughter of a
child etc. We should stop every now and again and take a moment to
appreciate the beauty all around. Do not wait for a vacation or a
special event to do that. There is beauty in every single day. Look
up and see it all around you. It is there and it brings joy.
- See the happy moments in everyday life. Spending time with your
children is a happy moment, playing a game with your loved ones is
a happy moment, watching a movie together is a happy moment.
Internalize those happy moments in your life, see it for what it
is, and be in the moment.
- Be grateful for what you have. Truly be grateful. We all have
so much when we truly think about it. Concentrate on that.
- Everything is beautiful in its time. Enjoy the season of your
life that you are in now.
- Shrug therapy. Shrug off everything that you can do nothing
about. Rather cast your cares upon God and leave it there. Trust
Him with it and stop trying to fix everything yourself.
- Value the people in your life. Truly value them. Appreciate
them for who they are and see them as God sees them.
- There is always something to laugh about. Laugh more and see
the lighter side of life.
- Do not be easily offended.
- The sun rises and sets with God, forgive everyone else for
being human.
I have so much more to say, but I
will probably share more with you in 2021. But may we all take some
of these 10 points into 2021. May it be a year of fresh beginnings,
new mindsets and changes in how we see the world. There will always
be devastation and heartache in this world until Jesus returns, but
what matters is how we look at it. The choice is ours. Just love
God, rejoice, do good unto others and enjoy the fruit of your
labor. Life is actually as simple as that. Do not overcomplicate
things, it is not worth it. Sometimes get out of your head and into
your heart. THAT is where His Spirit dwells and that is where He
will lead you. If we can all just do that, 2021 will be a wonderful
year!! Full of new promises, new revelations and new pathways. God
is with us, Immanuel! What more can we want?
Father, we look forward to 2021
because You are already there! You are already preparing the way
for us. We trust You with our future. We want to look at everything
through Your eyes. Please help us, help us to renew our minds and
to really experience life through glasses of joy. Help us to see
the beauty in everyday life. We love You. Amen