Rizza Damian
2020 is a blessing! Would you agree? Perhaps not so quickly. Though I must admit 2020 has been partly a challenge, struggle, and fear, however, it does not necessarily have to linger there. Yes, I must admit like many, the pandemic’s fear and uncertainties were real to me at some point. I mostly feared what would happen to my kids, husband, parents, brothers, and their respective families. The list of people close to me continued to add stress to this concern that I did not have control over. It was the fear of what this COVID-19 could possibly do to the people I love. Thank God, no one has been affected nor sick. This fear and paranoia seemed to linger, but then again, I am blessed. God’s resounding message of hope and love was a constant rock to these fears and struggles around me. My God is greater, I know that! He constantly reaffirmed to me how much He loved me and that no matter what, He will never leave me nor forsake me and I know He too will never leave nor forsake those close to me. As a family, I thank God for RightNow Media and using it as a tool for our daily devotions. It helped us focus on His love, provisions, and care. God uses these circumstances to show us that He is the Alpha and Omega, He is All-Knowing, He is our Healer, He is our Comforter, He is Gentle, Understanding and Kind, He is Lord, He is my Rock, and He is my Saviour. God also has used music to reassure this resounding message that has this lasting effect on me. That song is, “In Christ Alone”.
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
As your Sunday School Superintendent, I praise God for using this opportunity as means to witness and share His love to our children. Meeting virtually has been a learning opportunity. I thank the Lord for our Sunday School Volunteers who continue to partner with me in this ministry. I am blessed and grateful for their prayers and assistance in reaching our children. We had a great opportunity looking at 1 John together. We were reminded of the love and fellowship with God, a fellowship that is “forever kind of life” with Him. “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding. Now we can know God, the One who is true. And our lives are in that true God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God, and He is eternal life.” (1 John 5:20, ICB). We also looked at Philippians and learned that JOY only comes from God. Even when we are in our darkest moments, we like Paul can, "Rejoice, and again I say rejoice, rejoice in your sufferings, rejoice in your difficulties”. Indeed, it is only in Christ alone that our hope is found.
As we look upon Christmas, Jesus becoming “Immanuel” God with us, we are indeed blessed that He has come to give us this ultimate peace, hope, and love. It is only in Christ we can experience true joy. I admit that this COVID-19 pandemic can rob or paralyze us. We feel that it is hard to be joyful in the midst of the busyness and turmoil around us, but knowing that Jesus cares gives us renewed hope and cheer. He is indeed my hope! I pray that He may be your hope too this Christmas and you can truly say what a blessing it is this 2020!