The little park’s reduced speed limit sign forced me to slow down, prompting me to acknowledge my surroundings. The remains from a random October ice storm manifested itself in piles of dead limbs and toothpick-like, sorry-excuses for trees. The sky was blue. I hadn’t noticed earlier.
As I watched the narrative of the everyday unfold, I noticed a child on the playground to my left. He was dangling from a monkey bar. I thought it strange that he would just hang there, seemingly lifeless, until I saw from across the park an adult running to his aid. What had started as a daring new adventure across the monkey bars had apparently become an unachievable task, leaving the boy dangling limp, unable to move forward.
In that moment, I realized this was the perfect analogy for the monkey bar year that is 2020. My 2020 began in the historic, picturesque beauty of Rome. Where else would I want to spend New Year’s Eve? At the count-down to the new year, I found myself blissfully surrounded by thousands of people just outside the colosseum with three of my best friends. As every exciting second counted down, I thought of the thrill of the new year, full of possibilities and dreams.
Long story short, not one minute past midnight into 2020, I had my phone stolen right out of my pocket. I should’ve known then and there—this was the precedent for the new year.
Much like the kid at the park, many of us stood on the edge of 2019, looked up to 2020 and excitedly welcomed the next level of adventure. Little did we know what grasping that first monkey bar of a year would actually look like. It’s been a challenge to make it to the next bar… and the next… eventually leaving us dangling in fear and anxiety.
Maybe the monkey bar you’re stuck dangling from is your job loss. Maybe the paralyzing bar for you is the insane number of hours you’ve had to work because of the pandemic. There’s a lot of gripping bars to choose from this year. Loss of loved ones. The increasing awareness of racial injustice. The presidential election. Social media gossip and scandal. Complete isolation. Change in routine. Suicide and substance abuse increase.
Hanging limp from whatever crisis we find ourselves stuck on, it becomes harder and harder to see the steady arms of the Father reaching out for us. Unlike the adult at the park, God has always been near, ready to catch us if we fall. He’s prepared to show us what to do, one death-grip release at a time.
You know, there is one individual in Scripture who might be able to identify with our depleting expectations for a new year. This young woman started the year with the anticipation of her wedding day!
The gospels tell us that Joseph was a good man, and she was so looking forward to their first year of marriage. For all Mary knew, her biggest struggle this year would be that of a life of a newlywed bride. Little did she realize, her year was about to get flipped upside down. Not only would she marry Joseph, but she would become pregnant before the wedding through the power of the Holy Spirit, have to skip town because of a crazy king, give birth to the long-expected Messiah, and have to face the future of raising the Son of God.
Talk about a watershed year.
So how does she cope? What does she turn to in her time of change and unknown? How does she face the fear and anxiety of her situation? Scripture says she sings.
My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One
has done great things for me—holy is His name.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as He promised our ancestors.
— Luke 1:46-55
How can you sing to the Lord today? What is in your heart that you can express in worship? Is it the surrendering of control? Or maybe it’s the seeking of His comfort? He’s with you, sister. He’s not across the playground waiting to watch you fall. He’s right next to you ready to catch you, ready to spur you on.
Sing to Him, the King of kings, the Lord of lords.
Emmanuel, God WITH us.
Meet the Author!
Hammocks, hot tubs, Spotify, close friends, campfires, poetic journal entries, and well selected fonts are all contributions to Hannah Hanzel’s ideal day. She can be found pining over these in her lamp-lit office at Council Road Baptist Church, serving as the Creative Director. She enjoys conversations that include dad jokes, travel plans, theology, art, and struggles with faith. Feel free to reach out: hannahhanzel@yahoo.com.
