2020: The Big Lesson
2020 has been an extraordinary year. The Launceston Alive Steering Committee chose the theme 2020 Crystal Clear Vision for the Launceston Easter Community Festival, as much of this website illustrates. However, in April we realised the need to postpone the 2020 Easter Festival in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before large gatherings became illegal we saw a moral obligation to reduce and delay COVID-19 transmission.
We looked toward Springtime for the postponed festival. Aiming to continue with our theme 2020 Crystal Clear Vision we chose a new name for this Springtime event, namely SPRING TO LIFE. Of course, we recognised the need to be monitoring the COVID situation and safety-checking our new plan as the time approaches.
We worked on modifying our festival design to the early spring date. We considered mid or later in spring. We considered a multi-venue festival so that social distancing could be maintained. But when we reached the date by which the decision would have to be made, the Victorian Wave was rising sharply. What became clear was that we couldn’t see a path forward for safely staging Spring to Life in 2020.
Humbled, we realise the big lesson of our theme is that WE DON’T HAVE CRYSTAL CLEAR VISION! Only God has that. Our vision is very limited. We can’t see clearly into tomorrow. We planned to incentivise and reward visionary thinking, but now realise the first step is to admit we just don’t have 2020 vision when it comes to the future.
That is one of the many reasons humans are not sufficient on our own. To avoid stumbling in the dark we need the light of truth that never changes, and the one who is able to see clearly around the corners of time. God’s incomparable love hasn’t changed. It is as relevant today as ever. God demonstrated his love for us by Jesus’ death on a cross. He showed his power over death by Jesus coming alive from death.
He promised us eternal life, not by earning or deserving it, but as a free gift offered to all. Now is a great time to accept his loving gift if you haven’t already – or to thank Him again for such amazing grace. May God bless and protect all in NE Tasmania this Spring as we realise we don’t have crystal clear vision, but that He does, and with Him we can move safely, though humbly, into the future.
We now look forward to being together to celebrate Easter 2021. Watch this space for details. But don’t hold your breath, as we still leaning into Him, to see what He has in mind. With care from all at Launceston Alive.
.
LAUNCESTON ALIVE