January 2021 Monthly Letter
Dear Reconcilers,
Happy New Year! At a time when a lot of people make their New Year’s resolutions, many are thinking about all of the changes we all went through in 2020. Everyone had to adjust to a different way of doing things. Some of the changes we made will continue on while there are others we will be happy to let go.
I would like to share a letter from a good friend of mine who is an ordained minister. These are his reflections on the year 2020.
We all know that the year 2020, for a number of reasons, has been a very difficult year – in the areas of our health, social injustice, national pastimes, societal disunity and political/governmental leadership, to name just a few.
One of the things that I’ve learned or have had reconfirmed is the importance of being balanced, last in the list of fruits of the Holy Spirit, yet so relevant to avoiding pitfalls of one kind or another, not being led by those saying, “Look over here” or “Look over there.”
It is a blessing to see a potential problem as soon as possible and be proactive in mindset as well as reactive, to be ahead of the curve on one thing and stand way behind the curve on another – listening to the experts in their field of expertise and always thankful for revelation and wisdom, in regard to application – looking out for the well-being of others as well as ourselves.
I count it a blessing to reflect that we are marvelously and wonderfully constructed – so many parts to the body that is but flesh, so fragile, yet sustainable by daily bread given with knowledge of needs vs. wants.
The suffering we see is still in the parameters of his plan, his purpose, his power, his prerogative and in his presence.
I’m thankful for lessons from the past, e.g., ancient Israel had to quarantine and shelter in place for survival, during an Egyptian plague. It’s not an unreasonable request today – to stand, hold fast to truth and see the salvation of the Lord.
God knows those who have perished – they are all his children, too. We don’t survive, because we are better than they. He loves those who have passed on just like he loves those who survive to this day.
I’m thankful for the many ways that we see for spreading the gospel, as we see the rapid increase of knowledge in the 20th and 21st centuries. We have experienced assembly with the body of Christ, family and friends, via Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, ZOOM and many other platforms.
These events seem surreal, but they are real, speaking to how very real God, The Great I Am, is.
On the 79th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, at a time certain, it was reported that 282,436 had perished from Covid. Still brought to my memory was “Let not your heart be troubled, keep believing in God and Jesus.”
I’m thankful to see that Faith, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love are powerful principles, with others closely related, in focusing on Jesus, especially in this season of Advent, because he came (Immanuel) and he’s coming again! I’m blessed to reflect on those being found faithful! This is a year when people have gotten off balance to a significant degree. As we go through this time, we need to be resilient and flexible, to modify things from time to time, and sometimes to totally change in order to become more effective and efficient, especially in the areas of relationships with individuals and groups. How would God address the differences that affect us and our ability to preach the good news, utilizing revelation and wisdom?
I’m thankful for being mindful of those who moan and groan, who grieve, for the plight of the citizens of the world today, with the specter of voices crying that so much is just a hoax or a conspiracy and sometimes attributing such things to heaven itself. I feel blessed to not believe in hoaxes and conspiracies and regret the inadvertent passing of any of them to others.
—Franklin Guice
I am sure you have reflections as well. I know that 2020 was not all bad. We have seen so many people who’ve stepped up to help others. I want that kindness and compassion to continue in 2021.
Now that we have these vaccines coming out, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. But as I heard someone say, we are still in the tunnel and have a few months to go. Please continue to stay safe and help others when the opportunity comes your way.
Blessings,
