For the year 2020, I selected “Shalom” as my theme word. Shalom commonly brings to mind the idea of peace. 2020 is not even half over and it has been anything but peaceful. In fact, the world is falling to pieces and all bets are off if the king’s men and the king’s horses can put the pieces back together again.
On a personal and a global scale, 2020 will be unforgettable.
JANUARY 2020
2: A third state of emergency was called in New South Wales, Australia, as bushfires threatened the south coast of the country.
2: Iranian General Qasem Soleimani killed in US drone strike.
7: The World Health Organization is notified of the novel coronavirus, then known as 2019-nCoV, in China.
11: China records its first coronavirus death.
20: The first coronavirus case in the US is reported in Washington state.
23: Wuhan, China — the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak — goes under an unprecedented lockdown, impacting 11 million residents.
27: COVID-19 reached Canada after an individual who had returned to Toronto from Wuhan, Hubei, China, tested positive.
FEBRUARY 2020
11: The WHO names the coronavirus disease COVID-19.
MARCH 2020
10: Italy becomes the first country to implement a nationwide lockdown.
11: The WHO declares the coronavirus a pandemic.
12: The Toronto Stock Exchange plunged 12 percent – biggest single-day decline since 1940.
15: Last onsite church service in Barrhead.
16: The Dow plunges 2,997 points in the worst drop since 1987 amid coronavirus fears.
17: Canada begins to lockdown in Ontario followed by all provinces. Physical distancing and isolation begins.
20: Canada and the United States temporarily restricted all non-essential travel across their border.
APRIL 2020
2: Global coronavirus cases surpass one million.
18: Deadliest killing spree in Canadian history with 22 dead plus the killer in Nova Scotia.
30: My role as interim Pastor in Barrhead concluded.
MAY 2020
10: The retina in my right eye suddenly detached.
12: Surgery on my eye.
17: Snowbird Capt. Jenn Casey was killed in crash in last leg of Operation Inspiration.
25: George Floyd killed by police officer in Minneapolis touching off worldwide protests and riots.
26: Global movement to “Defund The Police” begins.
JUNE 2020
3: Second surgery on my eye.
5: Eight million Canadians applied for COVID-19 relief. National unemployment at a record high 13.7%
6: Jocelyn fell and broke her arm.
16: Jocelyn had surgery on her arm.
18: 8.2 million COVID cases confirmed worldwide with 466,000 deaths, including 8,000 in Canada.
JUNE 19 – DECEMBER 31
Will the next six months of the year be a reversal of the first six months? Will we see more of the same?
Whatever unfolds, God is working behind the scenes to bring about shalom – righteousness, justice and peace.
Without a doubt, when I look back I’ll be able to trace God’s work to draw people to Jesus in the suffering. With that in mind I will trust God’s heart in the moment even when I cannot trace his fingers.
“All my life you have been faithful…I will sing of the goodness of God.”
APPLICATION: What do you see for the rest of 2020? Please join the conversation below.
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