This is a post that I have fought myself on doing for quite some time now. The problem is my procrastination. In fact, that has been a longtime issue with me.
Before this virus took hold of America and other nations across the globe, and literally brought everything to a screeching halt, time was a much needed commodity. Society today has become fast paced. Time has become blurred and shortened. Just in my own life, I have uttered the words "I need more time." at least a million times. NO EXXAGERATION!!!!
But, now, during this time of social distancing and isolation, time is all most people have. Despite what is going on in the world around us and the great loss of jobs and income to millions of people, we need to advantage of what we have been given. MORE TIME.
The backdrop of this post can be found in Ephesians 5:14-17.
(14) "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. (15) See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, (16) redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
For months, before the Coronavirus, my church and I had been praying for revival to come. Not just a revival for the church but revival for this nation and many others. I have long since said that a national revival cannot take place unless there is personal revival...within the individual peoples of the world.
During this time, it is my prayer that, families would become a family unit once again. Fathers and mothers and sons and daughters would become one once again. Technology although a wonderful thing, has set us back and built walls around us. Instead of making life easier,, life has become complicated and bothersome. In essence we had been practicing social distancing already. With our faces buried in our phones and tablets and computers, personal communication has become a lost thing.
Prayer services in churches have become the least attended event by its members. The most offered response to this is "I don't have the time." Now, although not as a corporate body but individually, the members of the church are praying more. And when we emerge from this time I believe that the church will emerge stronger and more embolden to go out and be the instruments of God. Deep within my soul, I know this is the time before the coming revival of its members, of the church and this nation.
As a person of faith and belief in the ONE TRUE GOD, I want nothing more that for God's will to be done. What is the will of God? Ultimately, the salvation of all mankind. 2nd Peter 3:9 tells us, it is God's will that none should perish but all come to repentance. America is fast becoming a sinful and amoral nation. Unless you think it is already there?
I know we as a nation can be revived. But we must first acknowledge our sins before God and ask for forgiveness.
Another well known verse is 2nd Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then i will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Those who are called by His name are believers, the church, the body of Christ. Now is the time we need to humble ourselves before God and renew our relationship with Him. I have struggled during this time trying to gain some spiritual discipline and search my heart and motives. But God is faithful. Despite all that is going on, God is not surprised by this.
Don't get me wrong, I have had difficult days and experienced some fear. I am only human. My faith is not in humanity, but in God. His promises are true and He will not go back on HIs word. God has a plan and until He is ready to reveal it to those whom He will, we must be in constant prayer and wait for Him.
In closing I would like to quote a verse from Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near."
That is as pretty straight forward as is gets. That too is God's desire for believers and non-believers during this time of self-isolation and social distancing. TO SEEK HIM. God is merciful and kind and patient. HIs love knows NO end. But there is coming a time when God will not be found of mankind because of sin and his/her constant rejection of His offer of eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son. Many are searching for truth and hope in a world w/ a short supply of both. Much like time. God has now given us the time we need to find truth and hope.
My procrastination has hindered me in the past and change has been my two greatest enemies. I have allowed Satan to use that against me for too long. Hmm. I will use this time to ask God to help me overcome them. As others during this time, I do not want to come out of this time of isolation in the same spiritual condition as I went in.
Lord, it is my desire, that we the body of Christ and myself, will redeem this time given to us by You to grow in our faith, Your word and become filled with Your Holy Spirit. Prepare Your people to be used by You in the coming work You have planned for us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
