We are not only starting a new year but a new decade. Moving into this new year and decade we should reflect on the decade and year gone by. Take inventory of the last decade personally and as the people of God. Where has God brought you? What difficulties have you been through? What celebrations have been meaningful? What relationships brought you joy? Can you see the hand of God at work in your life over time? At the beginning of the last decade you had dreams and plans and did those work out? Did the last decade include a focus on your relationship with Jesus? Did your plans include following Jesus and seeking his direction?
At the dawn of this new decade we cannot change the past, but we can reflect, repent, refresh, refocus, and revision with an honest look to the past and a hopeful view to the future. This new year and decade start with the year 2020. When I think of the date of the year 2020, I also think of writing it this way 20/20. 20/20 is a description of vision acuity or accuracy. It means at twenty feet away things will look as if they twenty feet away. If a person has 20/100 vision that person will have to be as close as twenty feet to see what normal vision can see at one hundred feet.
When our eyes are able to see properly, we are able to understand the world around us much more safely. When reflecting on the past decade, do we see it for what it was and celebrate where possible, repent where necessary, and thank God for the grace that has brought us safe thus far. When we can honest look at the past, we are better able to step into the future with hope. What hopes and dreams do you have at the start of this decade? Do they include God and walking with Jesus? Only Jesus knows the future plans God has in store.
At the dawn of this decade starting in 2020, do we have spiritual 20/20? Does the year and decade ahead include seeking Christ to lead and guide us personally and as a people? Proverbs 29:18 cautions us, “where there is no vision, the people perish.” We must become people of vision. Looking to an uncertain future trusting Christ to guide and give vision. It will people of God will cease to be God’s people if they can no long see him and have a vision of Christ’s movement in our midst.
When we do trust faithfully and look longingly, the prophetic words of Joel encourage us, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” Is it our prayer that God will pour out his spirit on all flesh, sons and daughters, men and women, young and old that they will dream dreams and see visions?
Are we a people of vision, forward looking, and promise filled? In 2020 and beyond do we personally and as the people of God see with spiritual 20/20? If not, what corrective measures need to be taken? In all things remember to be grace filled and graceful in the living out of our faith. Embrace the words of the timeless hymn Amazing Grace, that reminds us ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
