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By Pastor Brandon Young
Oftentimes Christians expect that things will continue to worsen. What a terrible existence! How can we truly live with such hopelessness? I have heard so many individuals say lately that they expect 2021 to be more difficult than 2020. No wonder so many around struggle with depression. I passionately believe as Christians, we ought to expect God to do greater things in 2021. Are you looking for God to redeem your loved ones? Are you ready to see cars lined up trying to get into church parking lot? Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to see the power of God consume our community this year? We should be looking and waiting for an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon the world around us. Haggai 2:9 proclaims, “9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.” With earnest expectation, we should anticipate that we are going to witness amazing things in these latter days.
Jesus says in Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” I understand sin will abound, and many will lose their love for others, but I do not have to be included in that “many.” I do not have to be an end time statistic. I can choose to love more than I have ever loved in my life in this upcoming year. William Carey said, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” If we choose to step out on faith and attempt great things for God, God will do great things using us as vessels to change our world. To see 2021 be better than 2020, we must choose to live better. We can be agents of change in 2021. In the Bible God did powerful things using regular individuals willing to allow God to use them in a mighty way. Mary, the mother of Jesus said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” Mary gave God the Father complete access to her life, and was willing to do all that He asked. When we expect things to get worse, we do not have to do anything. To expect better demands us to not to sit by idle but rather do something productive. You can see why the doom and gloom attitude is so prevalent. It says that things are so bad that all we have to do is wait for the Lord to come, taking all the responsibility from us.
Jesus says in Matthew 24:46, “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” The Lord expects us to be doing something besides sitting around throwing a pity party talking about how bad the world around us has become. He wants us to walk in faith showing His love in deed and in truth! We talk of years gone by like they were wonderful and that we will never live in times that good again. It is easy to hear stories from elder Christians about powerful revivals, multitudes being baptized, and God’s power sweeping through the church and the community. I have listened as others said, “It will never be that way again! Those days are behind us!” I do not want to see what my elders saw and heard, but I want to see something better and greater! Let that begin with me! Before the Lord Jesus returns, I know God will still compel individuals to accept Him as Lord. Would it not be wonderful to play a role in that by loving others to Christ?
Matthew 5:14-16 says, “14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” I am aware we live in a very dark time, but isn’t that when stars are most visible? The darkness is penetrated by the light. We can be the light in 2021 and burn brighter than ever before. I am not buying into the gloom and doom theology. My desire is to see our Father in heaven glorified. I expect to see Christians repentant! I expect to see my community turn to Jesus! I expect to see love abound! I expect to see the church full of individuals worshiping God! I expect to hear the choir sing praises in unity! I expect to see those in poverty have what they need! I desire to see the homeless have a place to stay! I expect to see our youth seeking Christ! I expect to see addicts delivered from addiction. My list of expectation could go on and on, but his final expectation is where the rubber meets the road. I expect Brandon Young to be a better man, husband, dad, friend, pastor, and counselor! I have high expectations for 2021, and I would like to ask you to agree with me that 2021 is going to be better than 2020. Jesus says in Matthew 18:19, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Father, we agree that 2021 will be a year that we see your power and glory and wonderful change will come to our marriages, homes, churches, and our community. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus!