Finishing strong

It’s about that time of year when we pause to take stock and reflect on our lives. I may have started a bit earlier than most since 2020 was an unprecedented year in terms of all the unexpected things it gave to us. It’s been a good year, a tough year but a good year. Possibly a year with more downs than ups but I still call it a good year.

Why is this a good year?

Because this has been the year I have truly understood that a difficult situation does not necessarily mean that things are all bad. I may experience hurt and pain in the moment, but the entire experience, once I am through it, actually grows and humbles me. And growth and humility is a good thing, because when we are humble, God lifts us up.

One of my all time favorite Bible verses:

“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

James 4:10

The year 2020 has thrown multiple curveballs, humbled us in many ways and pushed us to redefine many things. However, the year is not over yet. While our first impulse is to want to be done with 2020 and usher in a hopefully better 2021, I think that this is the time to shift to a higher gear in the last few weeks of 2020.

I want to truly look back at 2020, once the year is over and say I gave it my best shot. I did what God had placed in front of me to do, to the best of my ability. I worked towards being a better version of me every day. I remained hopeful and continued to pursue purpose all the way to the end. I can finish strong. You can finish strong. We can all finish strong because we are not in this thing called life alone.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

God is our helper. He will help us to finish strong. And so I say, let the rest of 2020 come! We are going to look back at this year and somehow, find a reason to smile knowing that in our own big and small ways, we finished strong.