In the fullness of time Jesus came and in God’s perfect time he will return.

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”
-John 13:1

Yes, God’s timing is perfect.

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
-Mordecai, Esther 4:14

These are “unprecedented times”, “uncertain times”, “challenging times”. We have heard those words repeated over the last year as the COVID-19 pandemic took center stage. It is what you do during these times that make a difference. Make no mistake, God is not taken by surprise. His timing is always perfect, and he put you in this time and this place to do His will and His work. Just as God’s timing brought Esther on the scene to save people from certain death, we are given an opportunity to serve God and give the lifesaving message of the Gospel if we have the faith and courage to do so.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

You Are Busy, I Get It

Thanks for taking a few minutes out of your day to read this. Someone once said, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” I know you are busy so I will keep this short. I understand, life is busy. I get it… really.

Taking Time

My daughter Gia has been needing to study for her drivers permit. It has been on the list of things to do for quite a while and so I decided to bug her about it, as any annoying father would. I asked her when she was going to get that done. She said she hadn’t had… she stopped mid-sentence and then admitted to not “making the time”. Smiling she told me that she is not going to say that she doesn’t have time for things because the truth is, she could make time. Such wisdom. Must be from her mom.

Anyway, I said that was good and then I corrected her (that is what annoying dad’s do) telling her she can’t make time. God only gives a limited amount each day. Therefore, she cannot make time, only take it. What we do with that time is so important. She can use that time scrolling on her iPod looking at social media apps like TikTok or Pinterest or she can get her permit and master the roadway. Honestly, after that conversation I find myself more conscience of when I start to say, “I didn’t have time”. Sometimes I think I learn more from my kids than they do from me.

Giving it Back

God gives us all the same 24 hours per day. What we do with it makes the difference. What do people do with their time? ABC News reported, “The average American spends a staggering 11 hours, 54 minutes each day connected to some form of media — TV, smartphones, radio, games — although that number is bloated because some of the usage is simultaneous, Nielsen said. That's up nearly an hour and a half in only a year.”

What if we took some of that time and gave it back to God through prayer, Bible study, ministry, and outreach. When we think about giving, we often think about money. But we are also to give back to God our time and talents. What if everyone at Hannon Free Will Baptist Church shifted just a little of that mind blowing amount of time we spend drowning in the world’s media and give it back to God? What a huge impact that would make for His Kingdom. For example our monthly newsletter will be created as a ministry of ministries within Hannon FWB Church and is a team effort. It will be from people taking the time to give back to God, to give of their time and talents, helping you worship in Spirit and Truth no matter where you are.

Redeeming the Time

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Until next time, live wisely and make the best use of the time God gives you. It is a gift from him. Maybe that is why it is called the present.