Each year for the past couple of years I’ve selected a word to set the tone for the year. The word itself isn’t necessarily a goal to be achieved, but more of a way of living. “Fearless” was the word I chose for 2020. Kind of ironic considering 2020 was pretty terrifying for all of us. And while I was definitely fearful during 2020, (having diagnosed anxiety during a world wide pandemic while also going through a huge life milestone is definitely an interesting experience) I realized that being fearless isn’t the absence of fear, but powering through the fear. I spent a lot of 2020 scared and anxious, but I still overcame it, and I think that is what being fearless actually means. So, my word for 2021, and probably the word for many of you as well, is “hope.” If there has ever been a time to embrace hope it is now. We can either approach 2021 as a possible 2020 2.0, or we can look at is as a year of hopeful recovery. We are finally seeing a light at the end of the COVID tunnel, and we are reminded yet again that God always overcomes. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 states, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” During 2020 we endured and persevered through a lot of suffering because we had hope that 2021 would be better. We are inspired by the hope that we have in our Lord that He will provide the grace that is necessary to heal from the past. Placing our hope in God and what He can do for us opens up limitless possibilities for us in this new year. Hebrews 10:23 states, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” In order for our hope to be fruitful this year we must place it in the hands of the one thing we know will never waiver: God. Don’t make the mistake of putting your hope in your career, your relationship, your studies, or other worldly things that aren’t 100% reliable. When we place our hope on a shaky foundation there’s a good chance it won’t last, and we will end up feeling hopeless and defeated. However, if we place our hope in God, the most faithful and sturdy foundation in the universe, we can rest assured knowing that He will take care of us and that hope. What I hope for in 2021 is probably very different than the hope you have, or the hope your best friend has, but what we all have in common is that our hopes for this year will be carefully protected and nurtured by our God. Our hopes for this year are in good hands, so have faith in the limitless possibilities God has in store for you in 2021.
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