Psalm 31:15a My times are in Your hand.

I’m officially entering my 8th week of being quarantined. The past several weeks have been filled with day to day job responsibilities, online church services and bible studies, quiet times with the Lord, personal reflection, zoom calls, house projects, and the start of a fitness routine. Most of these activities are part of my daily schedule already with the exception of exercising and zoom calls; however, they are all being facilitated from my home.

During this time, the Lord has been speaking to me about using my time wisely while not wasting it on less important things. He has graciously shown me to spend more time in prayer for our nation, our leaders, the salvation of the lost, and for God’s divine protection.

The Lord has also prompted me to be just as engaged with online church services/bible studies as if I were there in person. There have been a handful of times where I have logged in 10-15 minutes late. Just because stay at home orders are in place doesn’t mean I should allow complacency to take root in my heart.

Aside from spiritual matters, the Lord has actually been speaking to me for years now about exercising and decluttering my home. So I’ve implemented a fitness routine into my weekly schedule while reorganizing my home by the giving away of personal/household items that I’m no longer using.

How has the Lord been speaking to you? Are you being a good steward of your time? I pray that you will allow our Master to speak directly to you and my prayer will be for you to heed His voice as He directs and leads you to use your time wisely for His glory. Even though we are in the midst of this storm, I believe that the Lord wants to do a new thing in each one of our lives.

Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Not only is He doing a new thing, but He will also bring beauty from the ashes. Isaiah 61:3 says, “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” It also says in Joel 2 verses 25-26 (I’m paraphrasing) that He (the Lord) will restore back to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and as the Lord’s anointed, you shall never be put to shame.

Even in the midst of this pandemic, God is doing a new thing and He will restore back to you what has been lost. It may not be in the way you envision it, but He will bring about restoration in His time. Keep your eyes on the Lord dear sister; focus your thoughts on Him and not your circumstances. He will sustain you and give you His peace.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Ladies, don’t despise this season, but utilize it wisely for His glory and become a good steward of the time He has given to you.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (Holman Version) Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk – not as unwise people but as wise – making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Psalm 90:12 (Holman Version) Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.