We say “Happy New Year” amid record coronavirus cases, a questioned election and more civil unrest. I must confess feeling deeply troubled at the state of our world.

We’ll begin a new sermon series this weekend at CLC: “Hindsight is always 2020…a healthy re-set for a new year.” Oddly enough, in this series I’ll try to unpack ways that 2020 can actually be good for us as people of faith in Christ.

Feel free to join us or log on to clcdayton.com Until then, consider the words of Jesus that he shared on the eve of the most chaotic and troubling time in His life (the day before His crucifixion):

“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe in Me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14: 1-3

I find that I am most troubled in life when I forget this final unfinished promise of Jesus. My prayer is that God will help me keep my heart focused on my final home, and for me not to get too overwhelmed along my Earthly journey. There is much beauty and joy and many blessings in this life, along with heartache, injustice and pain. We were never meant to “handle it all.” That’s why Jesus came, sent us His Holy Spirit to help us in this life, and why He promised us a better place in our eternal life.

2020 certainly helped me “loosen my grip” on a world I can’t hold on to anyway. Cheers.