Looking Good in the Rear View Mirror

For months, I have been longing to gaze at the year 2020 in the rear-view mirror. Churches and businesses closed or had to nearly shut down because of the pandemic. Not only did we see this disease escalate, we witnessed a derecho, hurricanes, and fires, all of which destroyed homes and threatened people’s lives. If that wasn’t enough, we had to watch needless riots, political battles, and attacks on law enforcement. All this was going on while small businesses were facing financial stress, we were advised not to travel or visit loved ones, we constantly were being told what we can or cannot do. Then compile this with all the anxieties from personal difficulties or the loss of a loved one. Gooooodbye 2020; BUT WAIT.

Was it so Bad?

I have done nothing but focus on bad things I observed in this rear-view mirror. God’s people were the same way while they were wondering in the wilderness. They were feeling sorry for themselves; they were tired of eating manna; the Israelites were tired of their presumed hardships and were frustrated with Moses. They had clearly disregarded what God has done, continues to do, and His promise to them. These people wanted to go back to the way things were in Egypt. The Israelites needed better vision. How about you and me?  What if I use 2020 to look forward with 20/20 vision? I must confess, I pray more and feel closer to God when things are in an upheaval. I’m sure we all have felt stricken, smitten, and afflicted; but it is in these moments when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable point. The point where we are drawn closer to God.

Strength Through Your Weakness

The Apostle Paul describes it best when he confessed that God had given him the GIFT of a thorn of suffering to keep him humble and to remind him of the common humanity he shared with all other people. We can relate with Paul and the Israelites, sharing weakness, trials, tribulations, and yes… sinfulness. God said through Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9). As we are weak, God is strong. But Paul says he is thankful even for the thorn because it is only in weakness that Christ is glorified. There is power in weakness because it is only through suffering that God’s grace is made clear. We can say, like Paul, that our troubles are given to us as opportunities to come closer to God, to rely upon our faith to place all our trust in God. As we triumph over our adversities, we are empowered by God working in us. Now we can glance in the rear-view mirror and give thanks to God, who has given us 20/20 vision to see the promise He gives to all who believe and trust in Him, everlasting life. And if these sufferings bring us closer to God then we can be eternally grateful. Lord, thank you for using a thorn in my side to help me see clearer the path I need to follow. Help others to use their thorn to embrace your Grace as well, Amen.