2020 in the Rearview Mirror

I cannot say that I am sorry to see this year go. It has been a very different year. A friend asked the question, “What 2 things most shaped the trajectory of 2020?” The obvious first answer is COVID. But, what is the second thing that radically reshaped 2020? And additionally, what changes swept in by the pandemic are here to stay?

I am not sure of how to answer the questions and I my answer would be fluid anyway. I do know, however, that some things never change. Every year has hard times, tragedies, happy memories, births, weddings and deaths, in spite of Covid, politics and natural disasters. Every person has things they can “control” and events and choices that are out of their control. While people can individually change the trajectory of their own lives, history is shaped by great currents such as economic and social changes rather than by individuals, although sometimes an individual and the times they live in do meet to produce dramatic change. It can be argued that the religious changes would have taken a different course without Martin Luther or that the Russian Revolution might not have led to Soviet communism without Lenin and Stalin. Even though Hitler impacted history, the trajectory of the world stage with regard to prejudice and genocide were already there and they still are!

The one and only exception to an individual person changing and shaping the trajectory over every event and person is Jesus. Only God has changed history. Only He can effectively alter one’s eternal course. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and at the same time He alone changes EVERYTHING!

So may the One who changes everything continue to shape my life in 2021 for eternity. And may He get all the credit.