Lessons learned in 2020

The year of 2020 will forever be known for one thing - the pandemic of COVID-19. At the time of this writing, the Coronavirus has claimed over 300,000 American lives and over 1.64 million worldwide. While we are still in some of the deadliest days of the virus, there is hope on the horizon. The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved by the FDA and is rolling out worldwide. The Moderna vaccine is close to requesting emergency use authorization and should be close behind. Both vaccines have shown to be up to 95% effective in preventing COVID. Side effects are temporary and minor. 

This 2020 climate of shut-downs, isolation, volatility, and polarization is not without its lessons. Lessons are not always clear nor easy to learn, but they serve a purpose to make those who pass them better citizens. Here is a list of lessons I have learned in 2020. 

• There are doctors who aren't medical doctors.
• We don't go to church. We are the church.
• People long for physical contact (handshakes, hugs, etc)
• Too many Christians see the church as the building
• Change is terribly difficult
• Self-control is a needed "Fruit of the Spirit"
• The truth has great value.
• Hypocrisy is just as prevalent today as it was in Bible times
• Other people view the world differently than I do
• People say things social media that they would never say in person

The list can go on and on. It was an eye-opening year. It's been said, that when the pressure is on, the true nature of one comes out. In many ways, it has been a sad year to see people's character be exposed. On the other hand, it's also been a joy to see some respond to 2020 with empathy, love, and compassion. 

What have you learned in 2020? If you made a list, what would be on it?