Redeeming the time

Introduction I knew it would take a drastic change to my routine to get this blog up and running! Two and a half years ago I downloaded an blogging app with every intention of using it as a regular way to communicate my thoughts. However I always seemed to lack the motivation to actually start. Workload, other commitments and then a newborn baby all gave me (genuine) reasons not to take time to reflect and record things that I would have loved to get down in words. But now we are in unusual times. I am working from home for the foreseeable future, church services are online only and there is no face to face socialising. Although I'm still working hard, I am blessed with extra time in my day. My two hour daily commute is time I’ve gained back and of course there's many tasks I'd normally do at work that I simply can't get done at home. I am now faced with the challenge of making sure I use the time well. Time for my wife and baby that I could only have dreamed of. But time with the Lord too. In a time when we are all going to get to know our families better than ever before, I believe God is challenging each one of us – how well do we want to know Him, the One who is always with us? I hope this blog is not the only fruit from that challenge. I’ll probably stop updating it after a while. But this is a massive opportunity for all of us to spend more time with the Lord who has redeemed each one of us to Himself.

“Redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:16) Or in the NIV “making the most of every opportunity”. We have an opportunity like never before. The verse continues “because the days are evil”. We have always been in evil days. The world has rejected God. As Romans 1:28 says, “they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God”. In these current times we see a lot of wickedness: people stockpiling and even fighting over essential goods so that others can’t buy them; people refusing to follow guidelines and continuing to spread the virus; people taking advantage of the situation to scam vulnerable people. But there has also been a tremendous amount of good to come out the difficulties. Many, many people have stepped up to care for elderly and vulnerable family and neighbours. Many businesses, despite severe financial risk, have made their services available more freely. So many people are asking what they can do to help. It is so heart warming to see this wonderful good in difficult times. But I think it must challenge the church and Christians everywhere. We claim to be doing the Lord’s will in our lives. We claim to be His disciples, following His example. We claim that God’s presence in our lives has changed us. All wonderful and true claims. But what does the Lord want His church to be doing in this time? You see, I am looking forward to a season where I hope to spend more time in Bible Study, in prayer and generally investing in my relationship with God. But what effect should this season have on others? Should my wife be able to see the results? Will my friends notice? Will my colleagues be able to see the change in me when I’m finally back to work? How will the gospel be preached in what I say and do? There are many challenges ahead. I don’t have all the answers – perhaps I’m glad I don’t. But I have faith in the One who does. He knows the plans He has for each one of us (Jeremiah 29:11) and will neither leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6 & Hebrews 13:5). May everything be for His glory!