As we crossed over to 2021, we felt a spark of hope. The year 2020 is now history and, just maybe, things will finally get better.

Yet the reality is that there is still so much uncertainty. The setup of our day-to-day lives remains the same. Online classes still continue. Quarantine restrictions are still in place. It may be unspoken, but fear still lingers quietly in the air.

This reminds me of a conversation in the BIble between Elisha and his servant when they were facing thousands of Syrians who were intent on capturing them:

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
2 Kings 6:15 (ESV)

Surrounded and outnumbered, reality sank in and fear crept into the servant’s heart.

Looking into 2021 could feel like that. We see the reality before us and we feel surrounded and overwhelmed by uncertainties. We may even relate to the feeling of helplessness, crying out, “What shall we do?”

Yet Elisha was confident amid the supposed grim reality.

He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
2 Kings 6:16 (ESV)

I would love to have that confidence.

I would love to dream again.

I would love to hope again.

I would love to believe again.

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:17 (ESV)

God opened the spiritual eyes of the servant. The situation didn’t change, but the servant perceived why Elisha was confident amidst the grim reality.

In the same way, I remember closing my eyes in the final seconds of 2020, and then opening it again in the first seconds of 2021. Nothing changed in what I saw around me, but in my heart, I hoped to see differently.

Could it be that the way for us to dream, hope, and believe again is by first humbly (and desperately) asking God to open our spiritual eyes?

Through these eyes, though we may not have gone through 2020 unscathed, God showed us what it looks like when He fulfills His promises of provision and protection.

Through these eyes, we see Him making ways through areas and situations that should have been impossible; providing through means that didn’t seem to make sense; changing lives and homes for the better when it seemed challenging; and reviving and resurrecting dreams, hopes, and relationships that were long forgotten and neglected.

Through these eyes, we see that with God, we’re always the majority. If He is for us, who can be against us?

Through these eyes, joy and dancing can be genuine amid endless reasons for sorrow and mourning.

Through these eyes, even with nothing, He was, is, and will be our everything.

Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord.