2020 is almost over.  It was one of the longest years on record for me.

In the middle of a worldwide pandemic, God did some incredible things in my life this year.  My husband and I sold a house, moved out of state and bought a house during the first nationwide shelter-in I’ve ever witnessed in my life.  The result is that we are right where we needed to be this year when our littlest grandson came into the world.

It also feels like God organized all this zooming for us – to help us transition from where we had lived for over 40 years to a new community, a new city, a new state.  This amount of zooming clearly would not have fit into a normal, non-pandemic calendar and it has helped us continue many relationships which have kept us grounded through all the changes and unknowns.

Now God is speaking to me about 2021.  He has plans.  Call them resolutions, call them goals, call them my ‘words’ for 2021, it’s obvious that God is using these last few days of 2020 to tell me what he wants me to focus on next year.

So God stopped me as Paul talks to Timothy in his first letter to him – “Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience..”  1 Timothy 1: 18 & 19.

How do I fight the battle well 2021?  When I’m connected to God through his Word and through his people, he fights my battles with me – guiding me, encouraging me and giving me victory.

How do I hold onto the faith in 2021?  I have a hunger that growls in my soul with the desire to grow in my love for and knowledge of God.  I am confident that turning off the TV and putting down my phone so I have more time to read and study God’s Word is the right thing for me to do.  I’m adding another small group Bible study to my calendar this year.  My favorite thing about retirement – other than not having to set an alarm – is having all the time I want to spend with God.

How do I hold on to a good conscience in 2021?  When I’m in line with God, I know down to the depths of my heart and mind that I’m in the right place.  I feel God’s approval and blessing when I focus on him and what he is calling me to do.

So bring on 2021 with all its challenges and opportunities.   God is by my side.  I’m ready.

Thank you, Abba Father.