Could You Have Imagined This?
Could you have even imagined a year ago, at the start of the new year of 2020, that we would have the kind of year we had? The worldwide pandemic has affected everything we do. It cancelled events that have never been missed for years and years. It changed the way we are able to go about doing the ordinary things of our lives in relation to other people. In North Dakota the year of 2020 started to change around March 15 and it continues through to the present. And we don’t know how long COVID-19 will affect our lives going into the future.
We don’t know what this new year of 2021 will be like. Will it be more of the same like in 2020? Will things ever get back to “normal” as this new year goes along? How long will we need to continue to wear face masks, go without handshakes and hugs, need to physically distance, limit the time we are with people not of our own household group, avoid drinking coffee or eating with friends and neighbors? And it is important to continue to be diligent because as COVID-19 continues to infect people. And we do not know for certain how it is going to affect each person. It ranges from people having simple cold-like symptoms with fatigue to having long-term effects due to damage to a person’s lungs, heart, kidneys. And for some, the effect is death.
As we start the new year of 2021, even though we are not certain what the future will bring – we are not without hope. We see that the numbers of positives are declining in North Dakota (and hopefully will continue to do and people will remain diligent about the precautions). There are two vaccines, that went through trials and were given an emergency use authorization from the FDA, which are now being used to immunize people, starting with those people most at risk and those most vulnerable and working through to all those who are willing to be vaccinated. Hoping the numbers will be sufficient to provide herd immunity, giving protection to 6070% or more of the people from the adverse effects of the corona virus. As we go into this new year, we know more than 9 ½ months ago about COVID-19 and ways to treat it. But much still remains unknown, so we must continue to be diligent and cautious in our interactions with others.
God, through the prophet Isaiah, says to the people of Israel in their difficult situation of being in exile in Babylon – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2) They wanted to go home, wanted their old way of life back, and God was reminding them that through all their difficulties God would always be with them.
And we find ourselves in difficult times – with COVID-19 high on everyone’s list (there might be some other difficulties high on some of our lists, especially after January 6). When our routines have been disrupted, when we must adapt our lives in order to protect ourselves and our neighbors, when our lives may never again be “normal” – WE are also reminded – we are not alone, God is with us promising to strengthen us, help us, and uphold us, through whatever we may be going through. (Isaiah 41:10 – “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”)
It is all through scriptures – God is with us. We heard it at Christmas that Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us. We are never alone, even in difficult times. We are people of hope, knowing we will get through, because God is with us.
Remember, God is with you in this new year. Amen.
Pastor Marcia Hegna
Vision of Faith Parish – First, Marion and Trinity of Litchville and Marion