A Lot Can Happen in a Year

Originally posted 1/10/20

One year. 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, or 525,600 minutes. We all have the same amount of time during this year. I could remind you that time is precious, and encourage you to not waste a single minute. However, that is not what this post is about. Rather, this is a reminder that the big issues of today can quickly change and become a distant memory tomorrow. 

Story Time

At the end of 2002 I was a single girl about to move into my own apartment. I had no boyfriend, and no boy that was even a prospective boyfriend. Actually, the thought of getting into a relationship was out of the question in my mind. Then, 2003 happened. I met my husband at the beginning of January 2003, and by that Thanksgiving we were married. A lot can happen in a year. 

A Lesson From Jesus

Think for a moment about Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was just a young girl engaged to a boy. Becoming a mother was probably the farthest thing from her mind. It’s evident when Gabriel came to tell her she is going to be a mother. She says, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke‬ ‭1:34‬ ‭ESV‬‬) Yet she not only gets married, but becomes a mother to the Son of Man by the end of that year. A lot can happen in a year. 

Think about that last year Jesus had with his disciples. Never in a million years did they think that the Messiah would die on a cross and raise himself to life after three days. We know that Jesus tells them over and over and over again that he is going to die, yet when the time comes for that to actually happen, they all are shocked and flee in fear. Think about what the year before Jesus’ death must have been like. All the people that were healed, and brought back to life. I’m sure the disciples thought that Jesus was unstoppable, and we know they were excited for Jesus to set up his earthly kingdom because we see James and John’s mother asking Jesus to have them in the two most important spots in his kingdom. Even in that moment the disciples get a clue of what is to come. Jesus replies, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭20:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬) The cup, of course, is his upcoming torture and death. See, a lot can happen in a year! 

Take Heart

You may be going through a tough time in your life as 2020 begins. You may have financial troubles, health difficulties, or relationship problems. There are a million different things you could be going through right now. Remember this, a lot can happen in a year. What are troubles today can be solved tomorrow and a distant memory by January 2021. Trust God to see you through these dark times. Don’t rely on what you feel or see, but include God in all you do and he will direct you to your answers. 

Perhaps you are in good times as 2020 begins. Maybe you are preparing for a new baby, you just got the job of your dreams, or you just won the Powerball! Whatever the good times are, enjoy them. Thank God for his blessings, and continue to trust him for everything. Whatever you do, remember, a lot can happen in a year!