Three Lessons from a Tough Year

 “Hope deferred makes the heart….” (Prov. 13:12). After a trying and uncertain 2020, many begun 2021 with high hopes. The turn of the year was supposed to be the turn of events. Covid 19 and all its effects of fear, death, disruption of our lives was to be the thing of the past. Then came the year 2021, shattering all the hopes and increasing the effects, leaving everyone exhausted, frustrated, fearful and despairing. Much can be said about the troubles of the last eighteen months, perceived and actual. However, I will content myself with asking what lessons we can learn? Let me share three with you. 

We are Finite and Frail

For all our efforts to appear strong and in control, we are remarkably frail people. It does not take much to unsettle and disrupt our lives. One message, one phone call, one action can quickly plunge us into a panic-inducing tragedy. If there is one thing the pandemic has reminded us of, we are a frail and finite people. We are here today and no more tomorrow. We may be seemingly healthy today and needing oxygen support the next.

Furthermore, there is nothing we can do to stop the tragedies of life. When we realise everything we have could be taken away in a moment, overwhelming and crippling fear fills our hearts. We painfully come to terms with the reality that we are not in control. A finite and frail man was created to be eternally dependent on the almighty sovereign God

We have too much Clatter.

In our frailty and finiteness, we tend to accumulate and hold on to fleeting things. This could be the material things we acquire and the programs and activities that fill up our lives. When closures and restrictions of a varying degree came into place last year, it became abundantly clear that we clatter our lives with things and activities. Many of which are unnecessary. When all has been said and done, the things we hold on to tightly are fading. When we all lie on our death beds, many of the things and activities we hold dear will count for nothing. The last year was a reminder to get perspective. 

We Need Community

We live in an individualistic society. However, for all our arrogant, self-centred individualism, we need community. We were created to live in a community (family), and the family is set up in a larger community. When we become Christians, we are saved to a community (church). One essential aspect of a healthy community is presence, doing life together. Ordinary though it may be, there is power and encouragement in physical presence. The year of Covid 19 has served as a reminder of how essential physical gathering is to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. 

Crisis moments offer ministry opportunities and times of learning. Regardless of your opinions and convictions about Covid and its subsequent effects, it has provided us with many ministry opportunities and dished us with lessons. Are we serving and learning?