2020: It was the best of times and it was the worst of times
"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." I remember hearing those words from Charles Dickens when I was in school. It sounded confusing to me. How could times be both good and bad?
Those words came back to me the other day when I was reflecting on 2020.
It was the worse of times
Some are calling last year the worst year in human history, or at least one of the top five worst years. The global pandemic took thousands of precious lives from us. Businesses closed, thousands lost their jobs, and just about everything in our world was disrupted in some way. When we thought we’d seen everything, the ugliness of racial injustice against people of color raised its head and forced all of us to deal with an issue we had ignored for far too long.
All of this took place as our country seemed to split wide open during the presidential election. We all watched the discord and disunity with disbelief.
It was the best of times
And yet, as Dickens said, it was also the best of times. We saw the very best of humanity shine forth in 2020.
People in all walks of life responded to the issues of 2020 in ways we never thought were possible. Heroes emerged and reminded us that even during dark times, a light can still shine. That’s what happened all across the ministries of Buckner International.
Despite everything, Buckner continued to provide ministry to the vulnerable
We were not deterred from fulfilling our mission of serving the most vulnerable just when they needed us the most. Frontline heroes stepped up. We adapted and overcame, and because we did, 2020 will be remembered for many as the best year of their lives.
2021 will have its share of troubles and uncertainties, as we have already seen. But whatever lies ahead, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purposes.”
May God bless you and guide you this year.
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