Hope Does Not Disappoint

We entered 2020 with an excitement not felt for decades. Sadly, that excitement ended abruptly when only a few months in to the new year the country shutdown due to COVID. Our population was put out of their churches, workplaces, and schools. People were dying alone, others were losing their jobs, weddings were rescheduled, and funerals were postponed.

This year - like most - has left scars for many that will never heal. Unlike other years though, 2020 has had an overwhelming effect on the majority of the world. The tide of COVID has been felt from shore to shore, across the plains, and from mountain top to valley low. No one has been left untouched.

As we approach the new year, I have frequently heard people comment on how they cannot wait for this year to be over. Businesses have profited with this consensus by designing clever "2020 Sucks" t-shirts, masks, and more.

Truth be told though, the suffering of 2020 is not going to end when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st.

People will forever be changed because of 2020. Whether it is from the loss of a loved one, the loss of his or her livelihood, or a new anxiety caused by a fear. We will never be the same.

Does this mean there is no hope for 2021? Of course not, but remember that hope does not lie in a new year - Hope lies in Jesus Christ. In Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans, he wrote, "Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (5:1-5).

Jesus alone will help us through this difficult time. The stroke of midnight and the changing of our calendars means nothing to him. He is omnipotent; God is not restricted to our finite understanding of time or place. So, what does this mean for 2021?

It means that more than ever we need to lean on Jesus. That we need to pick up our crosses and follow him.

We have heard it before - tomorrow is not guaranteed. Be present now! We have spent the last month - Advent - making room for Jesus in our hearts, and now that we are looking at a new year we are asked to continue the journey with him to the cross.

It is important to understand that all people are suffering in one way or another. No human-being is immune to suffering. When we feel inclined to take our sufferings out on others let's remember that we are all carrying the wounds of 2020 and the preceding years. Be patient and kind - especially to those whom we have a difficult time in loving. Of course, this will not be easy, but it is what we are called to do. Love God with all your being and love your neighbor as you love yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). We were not made to make this journey alone - lean on Jesus, love your families, and pray for each other.

May the Holy Spirit guide you today and in to the New Year!