(Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios)

2020’s Endgame

By Kailyn and Keni

It’s a crazy world out there right now. (Then again, when is it not?) You may be feeling like you’re in “the Endgame.” But the good news is that that’s a great place to learn lessons. One thing I learned in 2020 was the importance of being grateful. Before this global pandemic, we took for granted the things that we thought we would never lose, yet with the stay at home order, things like time with loved ones or just going out to places like the movies were missing.

One of my most favorite movies that came out before quarantine was “Avengers: Endgame.” The suspense of this movie coming out was pushing me to the edge of my patience. Me and every other Marvel fan had to wait an entire year before we knew what was going to happen next. I knew it was coming, but I didn’t know what it would be like. Marvel surprises me every time, with each new movie that comes out. (Just like how we know Jesus is coming back, but we don’t know when or what it will be like.)

In between “Infinity War” and “Endgame,” things looked pretty bleak for our favorite heroes. They had lost so much. The world would never be the same. Things may feel that way right now for us too. The thing is, we are called not to give in to the dark around us. In fact, God tells us to be thankful in any circumstance, no matter what.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

That’s not always easy, but sometimes these crazy days can remind us what we have to be thankful for. Before Thanos snapped most of the Avengers out of existence, they all took each other for granted. They never thought they would lose each other until that moment. They never knew what they were missing out on until after it was gone.

Suddenly, they were back to where they’d started. The original team. They learned to appreciate each other, and they decided they wouldn’t take their world for granted when they saved it. In that, something cool happened. The team realized that when they focused on what they HAD, they were more powerful than when they were grieving what they’d lost.

Together, the Avengers did what they do best. They saved the day, because they didn’t give up. And you know what, that sounds an awful lot like something God tells us.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” 

– Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

My friends and fellow heroes, this is our call. Let’s use this time to find things we’re thankful for, and let’s not give up. While the day isn’t ours to save, our thankfulness might just save us from the gloom around us. Be grateful and hopeful that we may be able to go back to our normal lives again. So…let’s assemble. (Virtually, anyway.)