If I could describe 2020 in simple terms, I would say that it has been littered with constant variables. In fact, the term variable is defined as "not consistent or having a fixed pattern; liable to change." That's 2020 for ya. Things have changed significantly compared to last year. And throughout the year, things have changed almost from month to month. I almost feel like I have mental whiplash from how crazy this year has turned out. 2020 has certainly presented its challenges through a global pandemic, social unrest, a divided country, and a contentious presidential election. Like most of you, I am ready to move forward to 2021, which is hopefully a much better year for us all.
But despite the sea of variables we have been faced with there is one constant: God is still sovereignly seated on His throne. This thought always puts a smile on my face, and my heart at ease. God wasn't surprised when COVID-19 struck. He wasn't taken aback with the issues our nation has been faced with. He is still calm, cool, and collected, seated firmly on His throne. If that doesn't give you some sense of peace, then I don't know what will. COVID-19 surely took us all by surprise, but not God. Despite the many challenges we have all been put through this year with the pandemic, the division amongst our countrymen, and of course the election season, God is still in control. The nations may rage, but God is still seated at the right hand of the Father constantly interceding on our behalf.
When it feels like our government has failed us; when it feels our brethren have failed us; when it feels like it can't get any worse; remember that God is still on His throne. Nothing and no one will ever unseat Him. And this God has you in the palm of His hands and nothing (or no one) can pluck you out! Paul writes in Romans 8:28 that "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." We may not understand why things transpire the way they do. But God does. And we know that all things, not some things, not a few things, but ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. He has great and mighty things that He wants to show you. I believe He is just waiting on a people that will humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. That's us, America. That's us, Church. We must wake up. We must turn to Him again, and more fervently than ever before. Now is the time for a new anointing.
It is time for the church to RISE UP for such a time as this. How can we rise up you may ask? How can we battle against the challenges we face each and every day? By falling down on our knees. We must not neglect the power of prayer. And now is the time for us to pray like never before. Leonard Ravenhill once said that "no man is greater than his prayer life." If we are to live effectively in a sea of constant variables, then we must stay constant in prayer. What else do we have other than Christ and our communion with Him? Everything else will pass away and move on. But He never will.
It always gives me comfort while living in a sea of variables knowing that my life is built upon the rock of my salvation. He is the same... yesterday, today, and forever. He changes not. We change. Life changes. Leadership changes. Our circumstances change on the daily. But God never changes. And we trust not in what we see, nor on what our circumstances say. Instead, we trust in Christ alone. He is our rock. He is our salvation. And He is the constant in a sea of variables.