“A person’s steps are made secure by the Lord when they delight in his way. Though they trip up, they won’t be thrown down, because the LORD holds their hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24, CEB)

I came upon this Scripture on New Year’s Day as I mulled over 2020 and thought about 2021 to come. 

To borrow the psalm writer’s words, we were “tripped up” so many times by 2020! Our world, nation, communities, churches, and families faced so many unexpected challenges. That’s true for each of us personally as well. Some challenges were handled well and others not so well. 

What’s next in 2021? When will the pandemic end? When will life be “normal” again? Will anyone else I know and love suffer from COVID-19? How much farther will divisiveness separate us? Can systemic racial injustice be removed once and for all?

Into these questions and the uncertainty they can bring, God’s word echoes loud and clear: “A person’s steps are made secure by the Lord when they delight in his way.” Our journey of life can be secure IF we delight in and follow who God is, where God leads, what God calls us to do and be. We’ll still be tripped up now and then; that’s just life in a sinful and imperfect world.  But we “won’t be thrown down!”  Why not? God holds our hands!

No matter what the New Year brings, whether you’re “tripped up” or standing on solid ground, my prayer for you is the same. I pray you’ll know 2021 for the great year it can be as you delight in God’s way and are held firmly by God! 

Your partner on the journey,

Pastor Steve