The Lord often uses some of the most challenging times to accomplish the most for His kingdom. Whether it was the training that (would-be) King David was receiving when he was running from King Saul, or to the persecution of the early church, we cannot forget God the Father is able to orchestrate all things for good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
The ongoing pandemic has gone a lot longer than most of us would have ever thought. If we follow Jesus, then we need to be comfortable with uncertainty and trials. In fact, if our lives are too easy and planned, we’re probably not walking in the unique appointment that the Lord has called us to walk in. For example, Jesus says in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Were we expecting to have it any other way?
While the past few months have of course been filled with different challenges and uncertainty, I have continued using this time effectively with the little control that I do have. Choosing to do so and to embrace and trust the uncertainty has allowed me to be the most productive I’ve ever been in my life. For example, I’ve been able to press forward on not only a wide array of existing research papers, but also initiate a number of new research papers and writing in the popular press. Put simply, I’ve endeavored to optimize every minute of the day to give greater glory to Jesus and press forward with the talents and zeal He’s endowed me with. How are you viewing your time during this uncertainty? Have you been tempted to use the pandemic as an excuse in your life, or an opportunity to propel forward?
Sometimes there’s not an obvious opportunity to move forward. But all David had when he took down Goliath was a slingshot… and God! If we effectively invest the time and talents that we have, the Lord will multiply them and trust us with even more.