The word I received for 2021

So at the end of every year, I spend some extended time with the Lord.  I want to get the lowdown for the upcoming year.

At the end of 2019, I had a very ominous feeling.  Not in my 30+ years of spending time with Jesus had I ever felt that before.  

He didn't tell me about the pandemic.  I just had an ominous sense that 2020 was going to deliver some dark times.

I never for one second felt any fear.  I felt the ominous feeling but still felt God's peace in me, so I knew that no matter what, I would be safe and He would be with me, as always, and protect me.

Three months later, Covid entered the U.S.

At the end of 2020, during my extended quiet time with Jesus, I didn't have that ominous feeling.  

But He did put a word on my heart.

Cataclysmic.

I knew that was bad.  I didn't know the exact meaning of it, so I looked it up.  

Oh dear.

Ok.  So no word on the pandemic ending, or whatever.

Just one word.  Cataclysmic.

Again, I had absolutely no fear.

That is the beauty of being in Christ.  While the world topples in front of our eyes, we remain secure in His protection, love, guidance, and peace.  We know this earth is not our permanent home anyway.

It's almost as if the Lord is using whatever means it takes to get our attention.

Does that tick you off?

Everything He does He does in love.  The greatest love ever.

So how is sending or allowing a plague or a cataclysmic event a loving thing to do?

Whatever it takes to get our eyes on Him.

Since being the most blessed and prosperous country on earth isn't doing the trick, and even a pandemic isn't working, He may resort to even more devastating means.

It's not news I'm happy to report.

But from what I read in the news all last year, there was a lot of talk about finances, jobs, health, death, cures, healthcare workers, etc., but not too much talk about God - the only One who can really help, save, heal, and provide (unless you were reading the Christian sites - but the "mainstream" news, no talk of God).

If more of us turned to the Lord - really repented and wanted Him - would He ease up on the calamities?

I don't know.

I do see how He worked in the Old Testament.  When there was repentance, He healed the land, stopped the war, gave victories, and blessed the nation.  When they were "bad boys and girls," there was His judgment.

Is He supposed to just let the horrors of sin keep destroying our souls?  He wants to save our souls!  

What will it take before we let Him?

Oh Lord.  We have had it so good in this country.  We don't know real tragedy or suffering compared to other places.  You have blessed us more than any other place on earth.  But what have we done with those blessings?  Are we grateful to You, or just grateful?  I pray that whatever You send our way this year that it would have people falling on their knees, looking to You, praying to You, wanting You, realizing their great need for you (if they haven't done so from the pandemic already!).  Thank You that You do everything - even seemingly horrific events - all from Your great love for us.  Just as a good parent disciplines their child for the child's good, I trust You, as my perfect Heavenly Father, to do whatever it takes for my good, and the good of this country.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.