Don't Waste Your 2020

[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. [11] For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. [12] So death is at work in us, but life in you.
2 Corinthians 4:7-12

2020 will be a hallmark year. We will pass on to generations to come what it was like. For many there is likely a chance they didn't experience any major blows to health or finances. For some it has struck hard and the affects will be felt for a lifetime. One woman my wife knows lost 4 relatives to COVID-19. A woman I worked with for nearly 15 years passed away because of COVID-19.  Many were out of work for an extended period of time. Though to varying degrees I believe we've all felt the affects of COVID-19.

We now find our nation in a time of upheaval. The issues of racism, politics, sexual orientation, and gender identity are capturing headlines not just every single day but if you're on Twitter every single moment. There are discussions to be had in these issues but that's not what this blog is about. I only want to mention them to show that 2020 is the year when many issues have reached a boiling point. You are feeling the affects of these issues I'm sure.

All of these things may leave you wanting to wake up tomorrow and find everything has returned to "normal." However, I think we need to turn to Scripture for a better approach than simply to wish for a day when it all goes away so I can return to my comfortable life.

In the passage above Paul shows us that the things we go through are for a purpose. We are the jars of clay. The treasure Paul speaks of is Christ and it's all to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. The reason for our suffering, the marginalization of Christians in America, and anything else you can think of is ultimately to show the life of Jesus being manifested in us and show that the surpassing power belongs to God. Does that seems contradictory to you? We suffer so people might see the life of Jesus in us?

I remember a message from John Piper where he said, "don't waste your suffering." This has stuck with me as I've gone through various trials. What did he mean? Well, the short version is that he was saying don't miss out on what God is doing in the midst of your trials. God indeed has a sovereign purpose in suffering. He uses it for our good and His glory. So I encourage you, don't waste your 2020. Whether it's COVID-19, the racial issues, or any other situation don't waste it. God has allowed these events to unfold in His providence.

Perhaps the best place to begin the work of not wasting these situations is to take a look at these last few months and consider what you've learned. For me I've learned there are things I have put too high of a value on. My comfort and routine have always been important to me. I am seeing through all of this that God is undoing a lot of that. They simply don't satisfy like Jesus, our treasure, satisfies. Though it may feel like a death or loss to have things stripped away, if the purpose of that is to reveal in a deeper way the life of Christ in me than let us embrace that.