Depending on perspective, the lens through which all of us have processed this past year deeply impacted our ability to find common ground. We found ourselves in isolation for days, weeks, months on end. Our only connection to one another often a filtered interpretation of social media feeds, Tiger Kings and death by Zoom.

A once in a lifetime event shared by all, drove us further apart, together. Now we stand collectively in need of one another and in great need of restoration.

Pre-Pandemic the world was not without fault. It was, however, this shared experience that synchronized our awareness of a lost and broken reality.

I’m reminded of a verse from a song by the band Matchbox Twenty:

“And I couldn’t tell, if anyone here was feeling the way I do
But I’m lonely now, and I don’t know how
To get it back to good.”

How do we get it back to good? How do we restore relationships? How do we heal?

Coming up for air, after a year of holding my breath I’m finding my spirit in tension with my belief system. I love Jesus and have for many years. The distance from my head to my heart has at times been a pleasant road trip. But right now, it’s not that simple. Right now, I’m finding it harder to love people unconditionally. Right now, I’m tired.

The uncomfortable truth is, I need to get over myself.

Sure, I’m a little broken right now, but it’s not okay to stay that way. It’s not okay to remain still and stunned. It’s not okay to resist the call of Christ in my life. And that requires, at times, the hard act of choosing joy.

What do you need to get over? Who do you need to forgive? What are you holding on to? How were you wounded? What are you going to do about it?

The high value we place on our opinions has divided our community. The offenses we clutch within our fists have slowly petrified our hearts.

This past year has been heartbreaking and the pandemic has driven us apart, but there is a reality that requires our participation. There is a path to restoration.

It is our acceptance of the love Jesus has for us – and extending that love towards one another that will get us back to good. It’s not easy, but it is life-saving.