What Will 2021 Look Like Because Of 2020? (OR You suck 2020. But at least you taught me about change.) - Ben's Answer

Change. It is part of our everyday experience to change. 

We go from asleep to awake every morning; a change from unconsciousness to being fully cognizant. Though, for most of us, being truly awake requires some assistance. It is only after we ingest copious amounts of the socially acceptable and highly addictive drug called “caffeine” that we would actually consider ourselves to be awake. (Hmmmm…I wonder if I can get a cup right now…)

 

We then go from varying degrees of undress to fully clothed so that others would not be envious of our Adonis-like physique. Or, at least that’s the lie I tell myself as I slip into my loose-fitting cargo shorts; THE staple piece in the wardrobe of any warm-blooded American dad. #Merica

 

Every year, the seasons shift from cold to hot, and back again, as this little blue marble hurls itself through the vastness of empty space at an unbelievable speed. 

 

Change. We are surrounded by change. But not every change is as predictable as waking up, getting dressed, or the weather, is it? Most change is unpredictable. And it is with the unexpected changes in life that we have the hardest time adapting. 

 

A buckler to the unpredictability of the world is a schedule.  We love our routines, ruts, and rat races. There’s security in predictability. When things go according to plan, we feel in control of our world. We feel like we are the masters of our own ships. But—as we all know—the moment we successfully get our ducks in a row, the disordered world takes out our ducks one after another. 

 

This was me pre-COVID. I had ordered my world. The day was mine to do with it as I please. I could even go into a store WITHOUT putting on a mask! I had a system in place that allowed me to make progress on the goals I had set for myself. But then a world-wide pandemic hit and my world changed. 

 

At first, I wrestled with the change and tried to beat it back with the effort of a bull elephant charging into a thicket. I tried to maintain the schedule I had; thinking this would all go away in a month. Yes, a month. I thought this whole mess would be over in a month and we’d go back to our “normal” lives. As of the writing of this, that was over nineteen weeks ago.

 

I didn’t want to change. I didn’t want to adapt. But life cares very little for what I want. So, what is the only option for me to do? Change. Like the rest of the world, I had to change too. So, now, when I look ahead and wonder what the rest of the year may bring, and what 2021 will look like, I’m far more cautious than I once was. But I’m also far more present in my present.

 

In reflecting on the topic of change, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a passage in the New Testament. James, the brother of Jesus, reminded believers that change was inevitable and that they didn’t know what tomorrow would bring (cf. Ja. 1:14). His response was not to throw caution to the wind and to live a life of reckless abandon. Instead, he reminded all Christ followers about the one who was in control of their tomorrow: God.  He told them that in all of their planning and preparations, they should make room for a Divine prerogative. He wanted them to consciously make room for God to change, adapt, and move them in a direction He wants them to go. 

 

Our world has changed. And, if I’m honest, there are some days I feel that its changed for the worse. But there are other days where the future doesn’t seem as bleak. The only true solace I have in the unpredictability of life is that I believe God is already in my tomorrow, be it grim or golden. 

 

A new day brings new challenges that yesterday’s God is more than able to bear.