2020 Reflections: Part One

There's no denying it; 2020 has been an interesting year, definitely one for the history books.

Recently, as I think we all have been doing, I've been reflecting on the past twelve months.  Over the past few days, especially, I've been taking some extra time to think back and glean from all of these memories.

One such time, I was listening to the radio and reading through old journal entries.  I realized then just how memories I can, and have, associated with music.  Scrolling through my playlist, I often point out, "oh, yeah!  I remember the first time I heard this song!" Or, "remember? That was when this was happening."

So, I thought, let's take a creative twist on the traditional end-of-the-year reflections.

"Five More Minutes" (Scotty McCreery): December 31, 2019

I had actually listened to Scotty's book, Go Big or Go Home, back in late October or November 2019.  Before then, I never paid close attention to his music.  But after I read it, boy, did I like his music.

I remember being at (my first ever) New Year's party, and at about 10:00 at night, talking about this song with a friend of mine.  I pulled up the lyrics, and as we skimmed through them, I almost teared up.  "Yes," I remember saying.  "This is exactly how I feel about the new year.  I don't want to start a new decade just yet.  I just want another five minutes.  Five more minutes of school.  Five more minutes of talking with friends.  Just five more minutes."

"The Very Next Thing" (Casting Crowns): December 2019 - January 2020

Was I the only person who was heavily bothered by the thought of not only a new year but a new decade as well?  I think God used this as a realization for me, to teach me how to live in the moment.

"I want to be here and now, starting right here, right now."

I found rest in these lyrics, as I listened to them over and over again, crying out to God, asking why I had wasted so much time, asking why he even created that concept.

"All Glory Be to Christ" (King's Kaleidoscope): December 31, 2019

I think this song is fitting as my "New Year's theme song" not only because of the lyrics but also because of its tune.

We've all tried to sing "Auld Lang Syne" before.  But what value do those lyrics have to us?  For most people, I would dare to say, it is probably just a tradition and not much more.

On the other hand, I feel the lyrics of "All Glory Be to Christ" have a very thoughtful, truthful meaning to them.

"If We Are The Body" (Casting Crowns): February 2020

I first discovered this song just before COVID-19 became a "severe" problem.  At this time, I had been wrestling personally with many difficult topics.  [Shout-out to everyone who listened and helped me work through all of that!  Y'all know who you are.]  One such question was, “if we are loved, why do we (as the Body of Christ) not love others?” I repeated this over and over in my prayers, in my journal, and even spoke it aloud in those sleepless nights.  I found comfort in the words of this song, knowing that I was not the only one with these questions, knowing someone was willing to call us out where we had compromised.

"If we are the body why aren't His arms reaching... Why is his love not showing them there is a way?"

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Stay tuned for part two!