Why you shouldn't cancel 2020
Whew! What a year this has been, and it's only halfway over! We are watching the world change before our very eyes. From a pandemic that has caused us to step back and appreciate the slower pace of life to protests that have brought on a racial reckoning, I think we could all agree that something is happening. I don’t know if we would call it a rebirth or a rebuilding but its definitely an opportunity to come out different on the other side.
I’ve seen so many memes about canceling 2020, and since its not really possible I found myself asking God what is the purpose of this year for me personally?
Those are the questions we need to be asking. So I did. And I’m sharing with you what I believe God has revealed to me. You may read It and find that it resonates with you as well.
Every season can be yours if you know what to do in it. A pastor said this and I have always remembered it. Recognize the season. It’s a time of rebuilding. I’m reading the book of Nehemiah and in it, Nehemiah is very clearly convinced that the time was right to rebuild the temple in Judah that had been destroyed. This temple was important to him because it is where his ancestors were buried. It is also a temple that was built to honor God. Nehemiah was so concerned that he asked the king if he could take off work and travel back to the town to rebuild the temple. The king gave his blessing and Nehemiah set out to rebuild the temple. He knew that this was the season.
Don’t let the Chaos of this world pull you out of the quiet place that God put you in. This pandemic has paused things in an unprecedented way for a reason. Some work is only accomplished in the quiet place, often it’s the inner work. Don’t miss it. Many people tried to talk Nehemiah and distract him while he was rebuilding the temple wall but he was steadfast and committed to it so as not to lose a moment to distraction.
A building is built brick by brick. What is God trying to rebuild in you during this time? What old habits is he trying to replace with new ones? What old ideologies is he tearing down so that a renewing of the mind can occur? Figure out what that is and focus on that. There is grace for that thing in this season. When others tried to tempt Nehemiah to come down off the wall his response was always the same. “ I am doing a good work and I cannot come down.”
Most of us have more time than ever, with nowhere to go and nothing to do. God has literally slowed things down so that you can accelerate. This time is not a burden its an opportunity. To spend time with your kids, to work on your hobbies, to spend time with God, etc. Rebuild in this season so you can position yourself to accelerate in the next.