I admit. 2020 hasn’t been the best year for many of us.

 From hurricanes to explosions, war to disease, continued ecological fallout to social inequality and lots more, it can feel hard to touch all the bases for what new tragedy 2020 has brought us. A quick jaunt into traditional and social media leads to an even longer list of people to blame. It’s the <insert name here>’s fault, we better make them pay! We better get our fair share!

Contrasted with this are the people who actually “paid”. In the middle of a pandemic Canadians dug deep and donated nearly 10 million in private donations for the people of Lebanon. In the midst of fear of transmission countless Canadians continued to donate blood, ensuring that the blood supply never ran dry. Many others continued to support food banks and volunteered their time even in the midst of danger to feed the poor, shelter the homeless, give voice to the oppressed. Countless essential workers got up to work to keep society running. Some of them (like myself) did this to pay the bills; many others did this out of a sense of heroic Christian witness, laying their lives on the line to cure the sick, feed the hungry, and instruct the ignorant (Teachers: I apologize for the wording, it’s the 1st spiritual work of mercy, whatcanyado?).

Others did nothing. And for all I know that’s what God called them to do! But we have the contrast. Fortunately, our God is a God of contrasts.

From his conception, Jesus Christ lived among the poor... he was the poor. He experienced internal and external displacement, hunger, thirst, nakedness, loneliness, oppression. He paid the price to save his nation. He who had all the wealth of heaven left heaven for earth and became a slave -- the one who washes the other’s feet.

We have all done so much over these last 8 months.  And the only thing greater than what we have done together is what we still have to do.

Look. We’re all dealing with so much right now. The position I and many others are in is that while we can acknowledge and affirm the difficult situation many of us are in, we also can see over the fence the needs of our neighbours as well. It’s a balancing act that probably only Providence can properly perform.

There are some excellent budgeting apps available. As financial planners remind us, with a small time commitment it’s amazing how you can find room to save for a new purchase, pay off a line of credit, or even donate to Development and Peace. OK I’ll be honest they probably don’t mention the last one, but they probably should! Even if this doesn’t make sense right at this moment, there are many ways to get involved this year. You can sign the inter-generational pledge, sign up for the D&P newsletter or spread the good news of Development and Peace’s work abroad through social media. Whatever your plan, we stand together as a Church. Just like we always have, and just like we always will.

We all had different plans for 2020. But God still has “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Just like he always has, and just like he always will.