Just Breathe
If you have air in your lungs, praise God for bringing you through 2020.
Air— a commodity that seemingly categorized many things this year. A vast number of people affected by COVID-19 struggled to breathe while they fought for their lives on ventilators. The country watched George Floyd take his last breath due to racism and police brutality. And, for many people, 2020 just flat out took the wind right out them with devastating job losses.
This has been a difficult year with over 300,000 deaths in the U.S. due to COVID-19, racial inequality and injustice across various sectors, and staggering unemployment rates. 2020 was rough, to say the least.
So, if in January 2021 you didn’t make grand resolutions for the year, don’t feel ashamed. If you did not meet your goals from last year, give yourself a break. If your only goal is to wake up each day, put one foot in front of the other and keep going, so be it. Be kind to yourself. We are still facing a global pandemic.
This post is 5 days late because, well, life 🤷🏾♀️.
"Be kind to yourself."
My pastor, Bucas Sterling III, talked about fleeting plans last week and the need to submit our hopes, plans and dreams to Christ. The Word of God and 2020 has certainly taught us to not hold too tightly to our plans. Trust God to be God and submit your will to His this year. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Yes, we can have goals and ambitions but seek the Lord's face for guidance and be willing to shift your plans to align with his desires for your life.
"Trust God to be God and submit your will to His this year."
Jesus is still on the throne. He still reigns despite what it may look like. He is still Christ alone. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” We do not know the ways of God, but we know He is our sovereign Lord and that we can trust Him in every season.
This year, make a choice to cherish each day. Cherish the air in your lungs. Take time to just breathe and bask in the beauty of Christ’s creation.
"This year, make a choice to cherish each day. Cherish the air in your lungs. Take time to just breathe and bask in the beauty of Christ’s creation."
Meditation Song
One of my favorite worship songs, “You Are God Alone (Not a God)" by Philips, Craig and Dean, speaks of God’s powerful, unchanging hand. Consider the lyrics below and take a listen.
You Are God Alone (Not a God)- by Phillips, Craig and Dean (2005)
“You are not a God, created by human hands
You are not a God, dependent on any mortal man
You are not a God, in need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that's just the way it is
You are not a God, created by human hands
You are not a God, dependent on any mortal man
You are not a God, in need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that's just the way it is
You are God alone from before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone and right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
And you are God alone
You're the only God whose power none can contend
You're the only God whose name and praise will never end
You're the only God who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God and that's just the way it is
You are God alone from before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone and right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
And you are God alone
Unchangeable, unshakable, unstoppable
That's what You are
Unchangeable, unshakable, unstoppable
That's what You are
You are God alone from before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone and right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
And you are God alone
Unchangeable, unshakable, unstoppable
That's what You are."
Post written by: Meredith B.L. Anderson, Ph.D.
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