We all find ourselves, once again, taking the first step into a New Year. Regardless of whether it feels like 2020 started yesterday or like we’ve packed an entire decade into 365 days, the year is over. Most of the time, the start of a new year is a purely joyous thing for me; I am full of excitement and anticipation for what the next chapter will bring. But this time, I feel different… My emotions are so mixed and swirling through me like a whirlpool.
The chief thing weighing on my mind and heart is the idea of hope--both having it and lacking it.
For most people, 2020 has been a terrible year in many ways. I raise my hand today and say that I am included in that number. This has been without a doubt the hardest year I’ve faced yet, and not just because of the infamous virus which we are all sick and tired of dealing with every day. Even though many good things have happened in my life this year, I have dealt with more upheaval, more anxiety, uncertainty, and fear than ever before. All of it has pushed me to the very edges of my strength and tried my faith in new ways.
So standing here at the start of the New Year, my mind is busy remembering all of the trials I and those I love have faced. I can’t help but recall every twist and turn and unexpected blow that has come--and continues to come--our way. Sometimes it feels like I’m being pulled into a black pit of despair and it becomes easy to think there is little to be hopeful about. After all, the problems of 2020 aren’t going to magically disappear just because the date on the calendar has changed. Who is to say that circumstances will ever improve, that they won’t get even worse?
These thoughts leave my soul weak and weary of the fight.
But then I shake myself and wake up to remember there is ALWAYS hope. I pull myself from the precipice of despair and remember:
Even when the days are dark, there is hope.
Even when we are broken, there is hope.
Even when we are alone, there is hope.
Even when we are falling to pieces inside, there is hope.
There is ALWAYS, always hope! Why?
Because Jesus is alive.
No matter how I may feel, the fact remains that He is there, He is watching, He is for me. He is in control. He is holding 2021 and every year to come in the palms of His nail-scarred hands.
As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
~ Psalm 71:14
It is easier said than done at times, but I must remember this. I must hold onto faith, the substance of all that I hope for, the evidence of what I cannot see [Hebrews 11:1] and remind my soul who my God is. Has He ever truly failed me? No. Has He ever forsaken His church and His blood-bought children? No. Has He ever changed? No. Has He ever broken a promise? No.
We may not be able to count on much in this world, but we can count on God. We can HOPE in Him; we can still have hope for tomorrow because He holds tomorrow.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
~ Hebrews 10:23
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
~ Jeremiah 29:11
So on this first day of 2021, I grab hold of my hope again and look with trusting expectation to the future. I lean into the strength and peace of my Father in Heaven and trust that He has a perfect plan in mind for me. He has not failed me yet, so why should He start now?
Are you also standing at the edge of your strength, clinging to your last shreds of hope? I am here to shake you by the shoulders, lift up your chin, and tell you to hold on tighter. Don’t give up yet. Don’t let go of your hope. We know who holds the future, so life is still worth the living.
And because my brain works in music and seems to relate a song to most any situation, I will leave you with the words to this song that has been an encouragement to me this year. I hope it reinforces the reminder that our hope is alive, because Jesus is alive!
Days may be darkest, but your light is greater
You light our way, God, you light our way
When evil is rising, you’re rising higher
With power to save, with power to save
You keep hope alive, you keep hope alive
From the beginning to end, your word never fails
You keep hope alive, because you are alive
Jesus, you are alive
Death had a stronghold, but your life was stronger
Rose from the grave, rose up from the grave, yeah yeah
When evil is rising, you’re rising higher
With power to save, with power to save, oh-oh-oh
There’s hope in the morning
Hope in the evening
Hope because you’re living
Hope because you’re breathing
There’s hope in the breaking
Hope in the sorrow
Hope for this moment
My hope for tomorrow
You keep hope alive, you keep hope alive
From the beginning to end, your word never fails
Oh, you keep hope alive, you keep hope alive
From the beginning to end, your word never fails
You keep hope alive, because you are alive
Jesus, you are alive, oh yes, you are
You keep hope alive, you keep hope alive
From the beginning to end, your word never fails
You keep hope alive, because you are alive
Jesus, you are alive
~ “You Keep Hope Alive” by Church in the City
Photo by Ave Calvar Martinez from Pexels
