Although many in the world would consider 2020 as a “write-off” year, I would consider it a “put-right” year. I just recorded a sermon that my church will use online December 27th (Here is the link if you’re interested in watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz7sblbF65s) , where I share about God’s kingdom being a “right-side up” kingdom culture and this world being an “upside-down” culture. It’s about how we get enamoured with “Rags to Riches” stories when our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, lived out a “Riches to Rags” story (Read Philippians 2).
I believe 2020 has been a year that was necessary in order to put humankind in its place and to remind us, as it says in Isaiah 40 – “Behold the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing… It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in”(Verses 15 & 22). In summary, “God is God and we are not and it’s just as well!”
It’s a year where not just my plans had to be disregarded and discarded, but the entire worlds. It’s a year where opportunities to trust Daddy God were handed on a silver platter and, if you had eyes to see; you would see them as a gift. It’s a year where the breath in our bodies has become more noticeable than ever and not something to be taken for granted, just as the breath in the next person’s body isn’t to be taken for granted either.
Life is short. Life is precious. But for those of us who have received the precious gift of Jesus’ life in our spirits, we know that we are merely visitors on this earth and eagerly awaiting our Messiah to call us home. Whilst this is true, we don’t want to leave empty-handed, but take with us as many souls as possible. Thus we pray for the salvation of family, friends, neighbours, nations. We help those who have lost loved ones to know that this is not the end of their story. May this be what we use this gift of breath in our bodies for.
I am much more aware of the breath in my body after getting Covid 19 mid December and having to be hospitalized for four days. Still recuperating at home and very grateful for those praying for me.
May we become more and more aware of the unique part that God has placed us on this earth to play. May we use this precious breath in our bodies to manifest His “right-side up” kingdom culture to His honour and glory.
