Happy New Year!!!

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in.

A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

(Bill Vaughn Quotes)

I read of one person who said they were going to stay up until midnight – not to see the year 2021 come in but to make sure 2020 ended. I can agree with that. What a year!?!

When we come to the month of January many people often reflect back on the past year and consider what the new year might bring. Looking back at 2020 stirs up all kinds of memories and situations we have faced. If you reviewed and made a list of the past year of your life, what would appear on that list?

The pressures of the pandemic have brought a level of struggle to all of our lives beyond what we could have ever imagined. The entire world has experienced a similar fate. The financial pressures. The roller coaster of emotions. On a daily basis we have been confronted to make decisions that are not simple to make. Should you return to the US or go back to the field? Can we return either way? Do you put the kids back in school? How do you restart the ministries of the church? How do you kickstart your life and move on with your plans?

Imagine for a moment — if you, as a believer, are struggling with doubts and fears, how much more difficult is it for those who do not know Christ? I think of the song “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” which has a phrase that says, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” This is speaking of Jesus’ birth and how His birth would bring salvation to all who believe. His life gives us hope in times like last year and also helps us overcome our fears.

Because of Jesus and considering the past year we have had, now would be the time for our churches to step up and slice through this darkness with the brilliant light of gospel truth and hope. Now is the time for us to effectively and strategically engage the people God has sent us to with the gospel of Jesus Christ. May this next year be a fruitful year for God’s glory!

I have a couple of interesting links for you to check out.

The first is Beelinguapp.com which gives you parallel text and audio in two languages. Not for language learning from scratch, but a great way to brush up on a language. I was disappointed that they did not offer Swahili or Amharic.

Second is this is a fascinating innovation going on at McDonalds: The Future of McDonald’s is in the Drive Through Lane. COVID-19 is changing the way many are doing business and even ministry. 

And then, I recently read an interesting article about major change in areas of the tech sector. Those changes were broken out into the following categories   1) Frontier tech, 2) Important but narrow, 3) Structural layers, and 3) The next platform. How would a similar breakdown look in the mission work of reaching our world? Now, I know the Gospel message is always the same. It never changes. However, how could methods in mission work alter with all the unique things going on around us? Interesting to think about.

The tech writer built his list from the question, “What’s in the labs?” In other words, what are people working on right now that will create products in the near future? As we move into 2021, with its quirky and unpredictable world, I wonder about this for our missionaries. What ideas are you dreaming up? We are in a season of massive disruption. There is no better time than now to plan, pray and watch God work – in these unprecedented times.

Everyone is talking about the Lord returning soon – I sure hope He does. Until then, we have a huge task ahead of us to reach our world with the Gospel. We each have an important part in this task. Thank you for answering God’s call and serving exactly where he wants you. It is a privilege to serve you as you serve Him!

Your friend,

Jon Konnerup