How many times have you asked yourself is 2020 almost over yet? If you are like most people…you may ask this question several times a day. For many people 2020 was going to be the year…the new decade for great new beginnings! Everything was going to be spectacular from travel, a new career and even new love. However, 2020 had different plans for us…the death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, her teammates & their parents, coach and pilot shocked the world. The Coronavirus pandemic would follow, which lead to economic devastation, home quarantines, face mask mandates and as we begin the month of September there are 6 million plus confirmed coronavirus cases and over 185,000 people have died. The sad news is the cases and death tolls continue to rise on a daily basis. Injustice and social inequalities regarding death of several black people resulted in peaceful protest across the country but became infiltrated by agitators who had agendas of rioting and destruction. Those people were definitely not peacemakers and have become successful in causing confusion and division between many people. The surprise death of Chadwick Boseman the superhero in the movie Black Panther was another blow of 2020. This talented actor died at the young of 43 from a 4 year battle of colon cancer. The world never knew his private struggles because he continued to act while battling for his life. Unfortunately, many people have lost loved ones and continue to deal their own private struggles. To top it all off..we still have a presidential election to live through. The great divide of politics is in full swing…yes, you probably are asking..”Is 2020 almost over yet?”
Well the good news is yes, we are counting down the days to 2021. Although, 2020 wasn’t what we planned, it has given us the opportunity to reflect over our lives and allowed us to have a greater appreciation for our families. 2020 has also reminded us that life is precious so enjoy each day to the best of our ability. This year has also given us an opportunity to decide exactly who we desire to be as we face the daily battle between our mind and spirit. We can easily become consumed with the ways of the world, in which our words, actions and deeds can become divisive, rude and self seeking; or we can remember that the mind is a reflection of the the heart and in order to renew the mind we must check what’s going on within the heart because according to Jeremiah 29:13…”And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with ALL your heart.” It is when the heart is aligned with God, we are at our best.
Therefore, ask yourself what am I currently thinking about? Am I consumed with all of the stuff the world tells me I am or who I should or shouldn’t be; and who I should or should not like. Am I easily influenced by fear? Do I judge others because they are different? Do I realize that I am a child of the most high God? Do I represent God to others with love, understanding and kindness; or am I destroying my brothers/sisters with the hateful words of the tongue or am I lifting them up with words of encouragement? Your mind is a gift from the Lord so protect it, transform it and renew it as many times as necessary. There were many unfortunate events in 2020 but there were also many valuable lessons to be learned and so many things you can be grateful for.
Until the Next Blog,
Blessings & Love!