BY: MEGAN GILMORE
Can you believe that 2020 has come to an end?
There were times I felt as if time was at a standstill and then there were moments times felt like 2020 flew by in the blink of an eye. Did you feel that way too? And now we are at the beginning of a new year...2021. I am filled with many thoughts and feelings about the coming of a new year. Now, we are a handful of days into 2021 and I still find myself thinking about all that happened in 2020.
I am a reflective person by nature. Perhaps there are times I spend too much time reflecting. But, I have also found it helpful in moving me forward in my life to take time and look back. I found myself often over the last few weeks thinking about the Israelites when they set up a memorial to remember what God has done. They looked back to see His faithfulness in their story. As I look back on 2020 I can clearly see God’s faithfulness woven through each and every moment of my year.
At the beginning of 2020, I felt excited about the possibilities this year would bring. I sensed that God had something big for me. Little did I know He would not reveal what He had till the end of 2020, but that sense of anticipation kept me motivated throughout the year. Little did I know He still had some work to do on my heart before I could get to the plans He wanted to unfold.
As I started 2020 I longed to have a word from the Lord for the year. Something to dig into and allow to flourish in my life. As I prayed I felt the words Trust and Peace loudly in my spirit. At first, I was confused because I thought I had been trusting God more than I previously had been. However, I knew that I needed to keep seeking...to go deeper when God speaks so clearly to me. As I continued to ask for revelation about this phase...trust and peace...and God is good y’all...He led me to Isaiah 26:3-4.
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”
What stuck out immediately to me was that peace would be for those who trusted in God. This verse took it a step further for me, it gave me clear direction on how to trust God in order to have peace...thoughts were fixed on Him. When I read that I knew that was the key to what God wanted me to learn in 2020. Y’all...my thoughts tended to spin my emotions into a complete mess. I knew this was an area I struggled with and had made progress in, but God knew that it was time to allow Him to work in my heart and mind. He had something big for me, but I needed to work on this before He could reveal His plans.
Little did I know that was to come in 2020...pandemic, racial tension, political tension, difficulties in my work life, and other challenging circumstances weaved their way through my year. Throughout 2020 when I was facing difficulties I started saying Isaiah 26:3-4 over and over. At times I was having to say it out loud and other times quietly in my mind I was reciting it.
What I began to notice as 2020 ended and 2021 began, I felt God’s peace being present beyond what I could comprehend. I started to find that my thoughts and feelings were not overtaking me. When I was facing difficult decisions and circumstances my thoughts would fix on Jesus and with fixing my mind on Him came peace upon me.
Y’all...there is power in knowing God’s word and hiding it in our hearts. God wanted to teach me that when I intentionally stop and fix my mind on Him...He will show up. He was longing for that intimate connection with me. He wanted me to be running to Him and only Him to find peace. He longs for this with you too! He has peace ready for you. Fix your mind on Jesus and allow God’s peace to fill every part of you.
I know that I will continue to grow in this area. We never arrive at perfection and no struggle. However, I am so grateful that God took me through 2020 to teach me that when I fix my thoughts on Him I will have peace!
As 2021 started I began to ask God what does He have for me in 2021 and He led me to this…
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
I am excited to see what God has for 2021 as I am rooted in His truth. One thing I do know for certain is that as I move forward I will continue to fix my thoughts on Him and have His peace.
What did God teach you in 2020? What are you taking into 2021 that will deepen your relationship with our amazing God?