By Ife J. Ibitayo
There once was a man, a noble savage of sorts, who was taken from a reservation to experience the high life of London. When he arrived in the big city, he was awed by the novelty of civilization: Its fine food, bodacious women, and virtual reality entertainment titillated his senses and stoked his curiosity. But as he grew in understanding of the “paradise” he’d come to trust in–a plush cage where the masses were controlled by drugs and sex–he retreated into seclusion and ultimately committed suicide.
This may seem like a pretty dark way to start off 2021. For many, this new year embodies the hope 2020 was supposed to. We expect recovery in our health, finances, and social lives. But we shouldn’t repeat the mistake we made last year.
We should never pin our hopes on anything as flimsy as the dawning of a new year. Tossing out our old calendars and putting up new ones doesn’t mean that salvation will magically materialize on January 1st, or even December 31st. In 2021, vaccines may ruin as many lives as they protect, sitting presidents may refuse to leave office, and economies may continue to plummet as unrealistic expectations drive foolish corporate choices. But as this year comes to a close, there are plenty of ways we can prepare for the next.
Reflect
As I said in my article “Looking Back, Moving Forward”, we must not forget the perspective we gained this past year. This holiday season gives us a golden opportunity to reflect on 2020. We can honestly evaluate the lessons we’ve learned through quarantine and Zoom calls, remote work and virtual church services, homecooked meals and home-rigged gyms.
Resolve
We can also choose to do better in 2021. A new you doesn’t have to wait until a new year. But there is indeed something fresh and powerful about a New Year’s Resolution. We can start over and begin anew as better parents, better lovers, and better remote employees.
But we mustn’t fall into the trap of trying harder. There’s a reason that 80% of people who make a New Year’s Resolution drop it by the second week of February. Jesus said, “‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing’” (John 15:5 NIV). Faithfulness is not woven into our DNA. By nature all of us are unreliable. But God is not. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends” (Lamentations 3:22a NLT) is one of countless verses that point us to the reliability of our Heavenly Father. And we can tap into this faithfulness by depending on His Spirit more and our strength less.
Rejoice
Lastly, this new year gives us an opportunity to rejoice. The word rejoice literally means “to experience joy again.” I’m sure I’m not the only one who struggled with finding joy in 2020. We’ve lost loved ones, missed momentous occasions, and experienced great loss. But God Himself says, “‘I will repay for the years the locusts have eaten’” (Joel 2:25 NIV). In other words, God will restore to us the progress we’ve lost, the dreams we’ve given up on, and the pursuits we’ve delayed because He is a God of reversal. He turns mourning to dancing (Psalm 30:11), barrenness to new life (Isaiah 54:1), and deserts to gardens (Isaiah 51:3). He’s done it before; He’ll do it again, and we can rejoice in this truth.
Conclusion
I can’t say that 2021 will be a better year than 2020. If 2020 has taught me anything, it’s that years can’t be trusted to bring good, no matter how hashtag-able they are. But I know a God who rules over time and sets the course of decades. I know He is trustworthy, and I will continue to trust Him as I step into this brave new year.
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
(Lamentation 3:22-23 NIV)