I’ll be honest: Thereās a lot on my mind and chest right now.
Where to start, where to begin…
To be fair, Iām sure the same could be said about you. After the last year’s whirlwind, it makes sense to hope 2020 is true to its name: In focus and further distanced in the rear-view mirror.

Yet, as we embark on a fresh journey in this brave, new world, thereās one step we must take before the next. One step to fuel them all. Ā That stepā¦is to stop.

Thatās right. Before we step into 2021, we must first stop and consider where weāve been and where weāreā¦God is taking us. However, to do this in full, not only must we surrender our desire to change on our terms but be willing to pray for what we press into.
For instance, we can pray for wisdom and strength to be different, to be better…but unless we posture our hearts to receive from God, our expectations will not calibrate to His nature.
As such, I submit we enter into the hope of 2021 with the following three points in mind. Granted, there will be more we discuss in the coming months. For now, letās start with this trio and see where our dialogue takes us.
Ready, set, letās goā¦

- Remember Your Aim
We are a people who tend to bite off more than we can chew. Our hearts may desire change but this doesn’t mean they desire what’s best and/or know the proper portions. Left to our own devices, we often crave the quickest road to recovery, reward, and large-scale transformation; however, as the Word attests, progress isn’t achieved by overcommitting to paths we plan but is accomplished through small steps we take with God each day (see Psalms 37:23, Proverbs 16:9; more on this in a moment).
As the Spirit confirmed in my heart last week, God’s best can’t always be measured by magnitude but can always be maximized by attitude. Accordingly, if you reframe your perspective to view change through this mindset, not only will you better scale your goals upfront but seize the strength to scale them when you confront.
Bottom line: Small and steady wins the race. Remember your aim is Jesus, not winning the world to Him. Consider your goals and invite the Lord to help you scale them. After all, you cannot grow if you do not yield and aim for purity in your maturity. As you pray into 2021, understand the road forward and onward is always one step at a time.

2. Delight in the Journey
In recent weeks, Iāve been reminded how central joy is to following Jesus. If we long to live as Christ, then we will take pleasure in what tethers us to His perfect will. In Scripture, we find several phrases that capture this reality…
“I know also, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness and integrity. In the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. So now with joy I have seen Your people who are present here, make their offerings willingly and freely to You.” ~ 1 Chronicles 29:17 (AMP)
“Finally, my fellow believers, continue to rejoice and delight in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you. Therefore, my fellow believers, whom I love and long for, my delight and crown [my wreath of victory], in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” ~ Philippians 3:1; 4:1 (AMP)
“…nevertheless I am with you in spirit, delighted to see your good discipline [as you stand shoulder to shoulder and form a solid front] and to see the stability of your faith in Christ [your steadfast reliance on Him and your unwavering confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].” ~ Colossians 2:5 (AMP)
…but perhaps the one that strikes me most candidly is: Delight in God’s journey.
Again, I go back to Psalms 37:23: “The steps of a man are ordered by the Lord who takes delight in His journeyā which fittingly aligns with Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way but the LORD establishes his steps.”
This tells me two things:
- How God directs is meant to prompt us to His presence.
- What God establishes is meant to be a source of contagious joy and awe.
Consider this flashback from two years agoā¦
Written January 13, 2019
So today Iām walkinā to work basking in the joy of winter feeling like winter when out of the corner of my ear, I hear āJoy to the Worldā playing from a nearby corner street music station. At first, Iām like, āDecember is over. No more Christmas music!ā But almost instantly I hear that still, small voice whispering, āBut Cam. Why not repeat the sounding joy?ā
Of course, what can I say to that? Notes and lyrics that seem out of place by cultural timelines should always be in place by daily surrender. Better put, thereās a reason why certain Christmas songs like, āDeck the Hallsā and āJoy to the Worldā are the only ones that can cure Everlyās nocturnal cries. Seriously, Caeden will start singing his āFa, la, la, laāsāā¦and even if itās a few minutes, all is calm and bright in the world.
As you walk with God, receive the practical, prudent reminders of His goodness, peace, and joy even they momentarily disagree with the senses.
Now, I know this may seem frivolous against the backdrop of recent political/social tension; however, we must not downplay delighting in the simple and spontaneous. For in this day, we may feel like weāre walking on eggshells more than sunshineā¦like weāre sinking in the decay around us. But this doesnāt mean we canāt take pleasure and hold of Godās best or stand in awe of what He has and continually gives.
Especially in seasons of turmoil and transition, our call is to participate in the divine and inspire likewise. While it’s okay to desire change, individually and corporately, donāt let this distract you from pointing people to Jesus as you work, as you wait, and as you champion appointed causes for such a time as this.
Bottom line: As you consider your 2021 riskolutions, make sure to take joy in God’s purposes and declare thanksgiving into places of doubt and uncertainty. Even in difficult situations, remember God only allows us to encounter what He allows (Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Corinthians 10:11-13). Whatever we face this year, know it doesnāt surprise God (Jeremiah 33:3) and He will provide a way before, for, and through us.

3. Persevere with Patience
No question, 2020 compelled many to higher levels of dependence with endurance and perseverance atop of the list. Yet, before we contrast 2020 to 2021, we should note endurance and perseverance are not the same things.
For example, endurance is staying the course when you’re tempted to give up; perseverance is leveling up when you’re tempted to get down. As I told LEGACYouth back in the day, endurance says ‘yes’; perseverance says ‘more’, but it all comes back to who we adore.
Consequently, while 2020 may have been a year of endurance and exposure for the church, I submit the pathway for 2021 is as follows: Perseverance, patience, perspective, and presence.
In other words, as we patiently await for the seas to calm, letās persevere into Godās presence to gain His perspective on matters of culture, politics, and benevolence without yielding to churchspeak and hearsay. As the doxology of Jude reminds usā¦
āBut you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, āIn the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.ā It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.ā
Jude 1:17-25 (ESV)
Bottom line: As you endure with expectation and persevere in joy, cultivate intimacy. Donāt just engage the ways of God; engage God! Reference Him in what you can and canāt understandā¦when the waves of doubt cloud your mind. Embrace discovery through seeking and pondering. And dare to seek His footsteps and follow them to clarity.
Selah.
Cover photo creds: Construction Executive