I remember as a boy realizing that I might be alive for the next century. I imagined that those who lived in the 1800s and saw the 20th century unfold must have been amazed. When I realized that I might live to see the 21st century, I would have that same experience. Little did I realize that I would live well into the 21st century! And I am AMAZED at the changes I’ve seen in my short life.
Many things that were science fiction when I was a boy are now commonplace. My phone has more computing power than the entire planet had. Private companies are sending rockets to space. I just had a video call with people from three countries on two continents from my office this morning. The population of the planet has more than doubled, life expectancy has increased (6 years longer for men in the USA), and conveniences we hadn’t even thought about are commonplace. Yet, with all these advances there are just as many challenges.
2020 had many challenges. Many people are hoping to “get back” to what we used to be, but I believe that is not the right way to think. We read an amazing promise in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” I believe we need to begin to think of new beginnings, not of going back. I believe God’s purpose is to bring about a massive RESET to His church, our lives, how we reach our world, and to every aspect of life.
Let’s not waste this opportunity to start fresh, start new, make lasting changes, and become more in line and on time with God's purpose to reach a desperate world. One obvious area is our ability to leverage the internet for the Gospel. Online church will NEVER take the place of meeting in person. A “like” will never substitute for a hug.
But online and other technologies are excellent additions to in-person services. And there is an entire generation of young people that are “digitally native.” This means that they feel more at home online than in person in many ways. Instead of criticizing this, we need to leverage it. We need to learn to speak their language in the same way a missionary learns a language and culture to minister the love of Christ.
I am entirely committed to making 2021 a new beginning. Church, let’s all strive to thrive in this new day and new world. Let’s be flexible and committed to being Jesus to our world. Let’s be like Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”