Gò0dNews for Everyone
Don’t Give Up
“T
by Alison Nichols
hree, two, one, Happy New Year!” we
time. While it may feel easy to reach for negativity or
all shouted as the clock hit midnight. As
fear, be positive. Be love to others. Be different.
2019 became a distant memory, we were
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be
unaware of the journey that lay before us in 2020. We
transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans
have experienced quarantine, social distancing, the
12:2). Furthermore, we are commanded to love our
scarcity of toilet paper, and face masks. This past year
neighbors. That does not mean just the people who
has been different, to say the least. These challenges
share our way of thinking, but every single person.
seem to have accompanied us longer than we might
When we position ourselves this way, we are setting the stage for God to show up and show off in big ways. So why not? Why not love those around you? Loving others takes a little extra effort, but you may be the only love someone experiences daily. In the book Love Does by Bob Goff, Goff conveys how we should love others in such a profound and intentional way. “ …love is never stationary. In the end, love doesn’t keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does.” Take this moment to open your
have hoped. But we must remember that 2020 was not
eyes to those around you. Listen to their stories. Send
a waste.
them an encouraging note. Smile, even if it is behind
In a time such as this, we tend to find ourselves looking ahead to the days of 2021. It is in those
your mask. The late S. Truett Cathy once said, “How do you
moments that we must strive to press pause on that
know if someone needs encouragement? If they’re
mindset. Be here. Be fully present where the Lord has
breathing.”
placed you. We have an incredible opportunity to
So take the leap, love, and put others first. Investing in the lives of those around you is always
for: hope and love. All of humanity is collectively
time well spent.
walking through the exact same storm at the same
24 // January 2021
About The Author
show the world what they are desperately searching
Alison Nichols is a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Rome,Georgia. She enjoys crafting, vintage clothing, spending time with family and her boyfriend, Kal.
