My 2020: A Year of Reflection, Opportunity and Rest
(From the January - March 2021 issue of VOX)
2020 will live long in our memories but at the end of a year dominated by negative headlines and dire predictions, we wanted to know the grassroots experience of Christians in Ireland. As usual our readers didn’t disappoint. With responses from all 32 counties on the island, people shared their highs and lows, and gave us an insight into what God has been saying through lockdown, restriction and upheaval.
We asked what characterised 2020?
(People ticked all that applied)
65% >> Reflection - an opportunity to re-evaluate my priorities
46% >> Opportunity - God has opened new doors that I did not expect
42% >> Rest - I’ve had a chance to cut back
33% >> Loneliness - it has been hard to be disconnected from others
31% >> Frustration - it has been difficult to be restricted
27% >> Joy - really good things came out of this year for me
17% >> Fear or anxiety - I’m concerned about myself, my loved ones and the wider world
13% >> Pain - I’ve experienced the grief of loss and/or sickness this year
8% >> Hardship - this has been really tough (either financially or in other ways)
20% >> Other - people mentioned change, tiredness, adapting, blessings, grief, busyness and more
While the positives out-weighed the negatives, it is important to note that 2020 was characterised by loneliness and frustration for one in three of those who responded to our survey and a significant percentage experienced fear and anxiety, pain or hardship.
We also asked about people’s faith experience during 2020. Here’s what they told us:
40% >> I’ve prayed more
39% >> I’ve drawn closer to Jesus and feel renewed
31% >> I’ve read the Bible more
30% >> I’ve found new ways to worship
26% >> I’ve found it really hard not being able meet with other Christians
20% >> I’ve clung onto Jesus (somehow)
7%. >> I’ve struggled a lot in my faith
5%. >> No change this year
4% >> I feel distant from Jesus
14% >> Other - people spoke of sacred moments, contemplation, gratitude and joy as well as wrestling with faith, disconnection/ disillusionment with church, challenges and anger with God.
A time of learning...
Many reflected on what they learnt during an eventful year.
From Westmeath
“God is with us. That is what He’s been offering since the beginning. The church can’t gather as usual, but the church is alive because the Spirit of God is in us. We are church everywhere now, not just inside the building.”
From Roscommon
“I have realised even more the importance of fellowship with other believers. Meeting online can provide good teaching and worship but does not satisfy the need for connection, encouragement and accountability.”
From Donegal
“I’ve learnt to see God anew in these dark times. In creation and through creativity, that would not have been possible in a ‘normal’ year.”
From Kildare
“It has been encouraging to see that my faith and the faith of others I know does not depend on our usual faith building and maintenance activities but continues even when circumstances change dramatically.”
From Antrim
“[I’ve] learned: to see opportunity in every challenge, moved from being a ‘doer’ to being an enabler [and I’m] thankful for new opportunities and church growth.”
From Dublin
“I’ve learnt how to be innovative, creative and find ways to find solutions to challenges. I’ve seen goodness and kindness from so many. I’ve felt the closeness of God and His Holy Spirit guiding, sustaining and helping me through challenging and busy times.”
From Galway
“Ps 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. God is teaching me that I’m not the one who can change anyone’s heart and convert them - only He can. My job is not to argue with my loved ones but be caring and treat them as Jesus would. He will do the rest in His timing!”
From Waterford
“I’ve learned to cleave to my Daddy more. Thank God for Zoom and to be able to have services three times a week. The weather was fabulous in the first three months. I spent most of my spare time in my garden. But I do miss hugs from my mother and friends.”
From Dublin
“I’ve learnt that the Holy Spirit is not intimidated by Zoom. My fear of Zoom has gone. I see how the Lord can use it for His Glory. Had opportunities on my daily walks to pray with people. Really thankful for the men’s Alpha Course I ran in my RC Parish. I have been enjoying studying the Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel each morning. It is a free App on my smart phone and a new post comes every morning. It’s been a blessing. I then type the Scripture portions that bless me.”
From Down
“This pandemic has revealed on a global scale how vulnerable humanity really is. We are so not in control.”
From Dublin
“I’ve learnt that many Christians seem to be more conscious of the fear of a virus or man than they are of the Lord. I’ve also learnt a lot are standing up for Truth, trying to pull our economy, livelihoods and very lives back from the brink. I wish more would be bold enough to do that too!”
From Cork
“Learnt much conducting online worship, how in the longer run it can be creatively draining trying to come up with new ideas to keep it fresh. Thankful for all the people that join us on-line for worship every Sunday and for the small group that are doing Alpha online.”
From Offaly
“I think, for me, there has been something really spiritual about having to learn that I am not in control. Slowly and painfully yielding control over everything to God has been a learnt discipline this year. It has been difficult but good.”
From Sligo
“That God’s timing is perfect...”
From Carlow
“Learning to lean into the Lord far more for rest, direction and clarity in difficult times. Holding on to His word and promises, that He will fulfil them regardless of how desperate things seem.”
From Cork
“I have seen the church learn new ways to reach out and adapt, and I’ve seen God’s people grow in faith. I’m a little worried that church attending will be different from now on but the Lord will be with us whatever.”
More to follow…
