Choose to be better and do more in 2021. As we all can agree 2020 was a different kind of year. Let’s face it, for many, it was a year of “BAD”. Bad news, bad health, bad finances, bad people, and other BAD circumstances. But, guess what? Even in the midst of bad, we can still have an awful lot of GOOD. I hope you 
endured and even prospered during 2020. Here are five life lessons we can take away from 2020:
1. Choose GOD (Ephesians 1:4; John 15:16; Deuteronomy 30:19). I ask myself daily, “Where would I be without God?” God chose us and gives us the privilege to choose Him. We cannot accomplish any good without God. Surely, we can go through the motions of being righteous, but it is only through God that we have true righteousness. Our own righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
2. Choose LOVE (Matthew 22:36-40; 1 Corinthians 13:13; John 13:34-35). I was given the opportunity to utilize these scriptures so many, many times during the last year; however, through it all, I chose to LOVE. People will stab you in the back, lie about you, disappoint you, and cause havoc in your life; but choose LOVE. Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
3. Choose KINDNESS (Colossians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Ephesians 4:32). Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. If you cannot be anything else, be kind. It doesn’t matter what others have done to you or said about you, always be kind. It’s difficult sometimes, but in these crazy times in which we find ourselves, others need to see us as an example of how to live the right way. Kindness counts.
4. Choose HONESTY (Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 12:22; Proverbs 6:16-17) Do not tell lies, not even ‘white’ ones (there is no such thing). A lie is a lie. God delights in our honesty. Even when we are wrong and we know we could be punished by telling the truth; be honest. If you did it, say you did it and let God handle the rest of it. Sometimes we miss out on miracles because we did not allow God or trust God enough to get us out of sticky situations.
5. Choose PEACE (Hebrews 12:14; James 3:18; Romans 12:18). My heart was heavy during most of the pandemic; not because of the pandemic, but because of how I saw my spiritual brothers and sisters reacting. The name-calling was atrocious; the social media attacks were venomous, and the arguments over whether or not to wear a mask were ridiculous. Peace was not being pursued. The light (us) was not a shining beacon on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16) it was a dull flicker in a dark, stinky dungeon. We can and must do better.
God loves us so much that He gave us choices. Choose this day whom you will serve. Choose between life and death, but He said Choose Life (Deuteronomy 30:19). Learn from 2020 and start fresh in 2021 with a new determination to be light in a world of darkness. Choose love, kindness, honesty, and peace. Instead of condemning those that you do not agree with, pray for them. Pray the Ephesians prayers (Ephesians 1: 15-23; Ephesians 3: 14-21) over yourselves and each of your loved ones, neighbors, friends, and enemies. Here is a PDF version you can print and insert your name or the names of others into the prayers. Remember, the Greater One lives in you. The happiest of New Years to you and your family.
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