Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (NIV)

The year 2020 and COVID-19 have surely given me a new perspective on many things. Let's step back a bit to 2019. We had a family vacation, and I was able to visit family in California and in England. Those three events gave me memories and photos that are priceless. At the time, I had no idea what 2020 had in store: a cancelled family vacation, cancelled trips to celebrate family birthday milestones, and on and on the list goes. Consequently, we have learned the true meaning of "staycation".

From the posts that I have read on social media, in our bubbles, we have all made memories that are priceless. Yes, we may have been tempted to pop our bubbles to escape, but as the months have passed, we have become more resilient. We have also had to say goodbye to loved ones in ways that we never thought possible.

We don't know what 2021 has in store, but personally, I know that for us in our bubble, Jesus is the centre. I plan to hold onto the saying, "If not now, when?" that has carried me through 2020 into 2021. I want to live each day in the peace and knowledge that my Redeemer lives. I plan to step out more in faith in ways that continue to practice safe social distancing and to remain grounded in my bubble until such a time as it is safe to embrace the new normal.

Let's take some time to search our hearts and celebrate all the ways that Jesus has shown up for us in 2020. I am sure that He will reveal those times to us if we take the time to sit with Him and reflect. Even if 2020 presented as a sadness to you, I am sure that Jesus will reveal to you that He was, in fact, with you through the difficult and dark days.

Can you and I rest, knowing that it is okay not to know what is in store, but to trust and believe? Let's walk in the truth of the following psalm:

Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (NIV)

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that You are our centre. Jesus, as we embark on this coming year, help us to grow in Your love and share with boldness what You have done in our lives to reveal Yourself in this past year. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Julie Bowles <julieanni@rogers.com>
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
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