Welcome to 2022.

I’ll be honest; the first word that comes to mind for the year is instability.

Politically, economically, culturally – globally and locally.

Now, when you consider that we’re all spending more time online than we used to – it’s entirely possible that the world around us hasn’t become more unstable. The problems we face are magnified as competing voices chime in. Maybe it’s a bit of both.

These are undoubtedly precarious times to live in. It’s easy to succumb to the fear of a virus, political movement, social issue or economic collapse. Everyone has an unshakable opinion on everything. Experience, education and training mean nothing compared to the “research” someone’s ability to conjure up using Google.

Of course, our recency bias places us at the center of human history and not at the beginning or end (depending on what you believe). It’s easy to think we’re the first people to experience the problems we face today.

Here are four events that come to mind, that seem a lot bigger than the problems of 2021.

• In 1918, the end of the First World War was marked by the outbreak of the Spanish Flu, a global pandemic.
• In 1929, the economic collapse triggered a decade-long depression.
• In 1942, halfway through the Second World War, it looked like the Allies wouldn’t be able to defeat the Axis.
• In 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the world was on the brink of nuclear war.

It isn’t about the “deep state” or a pandemic. It isn’t about a culture war or generational divide.

We’ve placed ourselves at the center of the story. That’s the problem.

We’ve chosen self-preservation over selflessness. This is the antithesis of the Gospel.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24 ESV). And this is AFTER he tells them about the suffering he’ll endure on the cross.

The way of Jesus isn’t one of self-interest. It’s a way of self-sacrifice.

Our culture reminds us that we’re the focus; we’re the center. It’s a lot of pressure because we can’t even live up to our expectations, much less the world around us. Whether we admit it or not, that philosophy has worked into our worldview.

Then there’s Jesus. Jesus reminds us that we aren’t enough and that news should bring incredible relief because He is enough.

That’s what makes the Gospel so beautiful.

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matt. 16:25 ESV)

As we enter 2022, I’m going to strive for humility. I challenge you to do the same. As Paul told the church in Rome, “Outdo one another in showing honour.”

After all, the point isn’t that I do it for my benefit – but to serve those around me.