Do you have 20/20 for 2020?
by Karla Maxwell
Wow! The year 2020... can you believe it? It's been twenty years since the turn of a new century, twenty years into a new millennium. What comes to mind when you see or hear the year 2020? For me 2020 represents a year of vision; after all, 20/20 in medical terms is perfect vision. Of course, the vision I am speaking of is not physical, but one's vision or focus for what they would like to accomplish in the next 365 days. What would you like to accomplish or focus on this year? No New Year’s Resolutions here; just honest to goodness burning-desire goals to accomplish.
Scripture tells us to be doers of the Word not just hearers only; and when we release our faith, action is required, otherwise our faith is dead. Without a vision the people will perish. In essence, the Lord is telling us throughout the Bible to be active in our pursuits, not just sitting back waiting for things to change.
Accomplishing a goal is seldom a simple task. It takes discipline and diligence, commitment-- work. Often times we struggle to accomplish our goals, get off track, or lose our focus all together. If this happens to you, do not beat yourself up. Instead, remember tomorrow is a new day. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Since the Lord shows us mercy, we should show mercy to ourselves and avoid the snares of guilt, shame, and all the negative thoughts the enemy uses to ambush us.
Ask the Lord what vision HE has for you this year. He created each of us uniquely with talents and purpose all for His glory, and it is our duty to step out in faith to explore all the unique ways He has made us. When we sit back and "wait" for the Lord to use us (wait for the perfect time, wait until we "feel ready"), opportunities are missed. It is when we step out in faith that we will grow in Christ and He will bless us, and furthermore, we never know how one moment may change our life or the life of someone else. Living for Christ is such an exciting adventure! There is never a dull moment when we allow Him to lead us. There will be challenging storms, or maybe dead silence and we think He has deserted us. Rest during these times and know that HE is God and He is there carrying you through.
Whatever your vision and focus may be this year, do it for the Glory of the Lord. Trust in Him. His vision is perfect, beyond 20/20, and He longs to fill the desires of our heart. May the Light of Christ be crystal clear through you throughout this year of vision, 2020.
To God be the Glory!
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,
be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in
the Lord's work, because you know that your labor
in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
