Another year has come to an end. The unforeseen events took us by surprise and created uncertainty about the present and the future. Many of us had to reassess our circumstances, both at work and at home. Some of us lost our jobs due to lay-offs. Except for the first three months of the year, SA Hunters could not offer any activities to its members.
The uncertainties continue and stick around like an invisible cancer. No one knows what restrictions lie ahead for the coming year. Will the schools and tertiary institutions return to normal? Can we expect more lay-offs? Will SA Hunters’ activities be curtailed by lockdown restrictions? The list of uncertainties is getting longer.
Is there any point in worrying about things that are beyond our control? Certainly not! It reminds me of Psalm 37:3 ” Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. 1 Peter 5:7 says: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Regardless what we think and experience, let us focus on putting our faith in Jesus in the coming year. He will take care of it! Let us embrace God’s promises and look for the positive aspects during this chaotic period. Let’s be tolerant and believe and trust with the innocence of a child. Heb. 11:1 says: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
I want to pause and reflect on this year and thank everyone that made a positive contribution during this strange period, not only at branch level, but at management level.
Were there any highlights during this year? Definitely! Thanks to our finance department, SA Hunters was fortunate to maintain a healthy financial position in spite of not being able to offer our regular activities. Surprisingly, our membership grew during this period, and did not decline as one would have expected. Finally, I believe that the quality time that we spent with our loved ones during the lockdown compelled us to examine our thoughts and emotions. May we continue to build on the highlights that we experienced during 2020.
I conclude with the wise words from a philosopher: “‘Never be a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future.”
I trust that all our members will enjoy a wonderful Christmas with their families. Regardless the uncertainties, stay positive.
Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2021.
Carl Arnold
