Sis Adaralegbe Olubunmi.
Author
NOW THAT YOU HAVE TIME…
Except you are like my father who does not watch movies, you must have seen in many movies that soldiers have a custom; after each mission, they are most likely to go on vacation. During this time of vacation, they are always free to have time for themselves, families and loved ones. In fact, some of them travel to spend the time to get refreshed and rejuvenate.
One thing we should note is that they dont get this time always because they must always be on their toes doing what they are called to do. The same is applicable to Christians (those who know what the essence of their call is). For us, the only difference is that this time is called RETREAT.
Any man who does not learn the importance of retreating will one day crash on the battlefield.
Even Jesus, our Master had the periods to retreat (Mark 6vs31-32; 46, John 6vs15).
We live in the world where everyone is busy doing one thing or the other. We live in the world where demands are placed on individuals daily, either by internal or external forces. We live in the world where our wants are insatiable. We live in the world where there is always something more. Hardly will you find a person who is not on a quest.
Now, here's the gist, we have always complained that we have no time for spiritual things. We have always had excuses for not praying, studying Gods word, retreating, fellowshipping. We have always given more devotion to work, school, career, ambition and what have you? It had almost become a norm for everyone to say that there is no time NOW THAT YOU HAVE TIME, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
Now that majority of us are not going anywhere, now that no employer is requesting for your service, now that schools are locked down, now that what you do at work is skeletal work or online services( except you are on essential duty), NOW THAT YOU HAVE TIME, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
Prior to this time, many Christians take the pain of squeezing out time for their devotion daily. The statutory wake-up time for some had been 5am for quiet time and personal devotions but now that you have nowhere to go, have you changed your time? Complacency has eaten deep into the skin and soul of Christians such that we find it tiring to wake up and pray but we find it easy to wake up and surf the internet, pWe find it difficult to spend 1hour out of the free 24hours with God but we can remain 23hours talking and gisting?
I have come to discover that the priority of many people (including Christians) has shifted. Perhaps, because of survival instincts, many people have focused only on how to make money. Everywhere you turn to, you can be sure that there will be a course on how to make money, motivational talks on how to survive this pandemic.
Everyone is gradually turning into motivational speakers. We are soon forgetting that we have the Holy Spirit. We are gradually turning to men rather than to God. We are beginning to see our own practical ways of survival, rather than seeing the reality in God's Word and His Promises.
How many spiritual books have you read?
All the lessons on faith, love, righteousness and so on that you have learnt over the years, have you put them to use?
Have you had moments of self-assessment?
Have you had any personal retreats?
It is even worse now that church buildings are on locked down. Sadly, many Christians are on lockdown with their church building.
Brethren, we must remember that being a Christian is beyond the building or the name, it is in the LIFE! We are not Christians because of the churches we go to but because of the Christ (Life) we carry.
You are the Church! This is the time to seek God and not men! This is time for retreat! Just as men who go on vacation come out refreshed, we should come out stronger than we entered!
If our Master looks down from Heaven asking for the account of this free period, what can you file? For the past 2years or more, you might have complained that you are busy.
If you have so much complained about Time, NOW THAT YOU HAVE TIME, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
If you waste this period, then you dont lack time, you lack discipline!
May the summary of our lives not be one who has wasted a lifetime opportunity!
As we give glory to God! It is worthy of note that even in the midst of this pandemic and total lockdown of the many continents, both Kingdoms; Heaven and Hell are carrying out their mapped plan. We ask and pray that only Heaven's Will shall prevail! Although the global disaster is indeed a disaster, it is a major indicator for every child of God who has his eyes firm on the Master. The Earth is experiencing an agony in which only the manifestation of the Sons of God can solve its problem.
Rom 8:19-For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
We must remember that this lockdown is not a reason for our identity is compromised. In fact, it is more or less, an opportunity to invite the Lord and the Brethren to our table.
Meanwhile, the decision to bring the Lord to the table is not only to appreciate Him, but to make the commitment of accepting His Life so that we can have life. Just like the costly perfume that was poured on the Master in order to prepare His body, we must produce sweet smelling savour for Him always.
John 12:1-3- Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead whom he raised from dead. There they made him a supper and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
What then is God expecting from us in a time like this?
In history, events have always preceded every major move of God. It is either a celebration season or a time of agony but the move of God that has taken place over time always come when a major attack which has been orchestrated by the adversary suffers a major setback through the intervention of the Lord; this is in order to prove that He is sovereign and He rules over the affairs of men.
God has permitted this pandemic for us as believers to return back to the closest, so that we can cross the T’s and dot the I’s that we have left undone by our casual way of life.
Beloved, we are on verge of a global revival; a revival that is not centered around any man's ministry but on Jesus and Him crucified.
God's expectation from us at this time is to burn in fellowshipping with the brethren, irrespective of their denomination so that we can experience a pouring again like the days of the Apostle. Because of the peculiarities of our age, our individual manifestations of the person of Jesus Christ (growing to become like Jesus) is what will set the whole creation free.
(Romans 8:21-22.) Dear Christian, lives are groaning, destinies are crying and the only thing that will bring them comfort is your coming out of the lockdown in the fullness of life, manifesting your person in Christ Jesus and rather than being locked out of purpose.
This is the period to look at your effectiveness as an individual, as a corporate body, denominations and then, make reflections!
In conclusion Beloved, we are the light of the world. Our light must not go out, in fact, this is the time to keep the fire burning because it is in darkness that light is needed.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE LOCKED OUT!
Mathew 5:14 (AMP)- Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and [a]recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
KEEP YOUR LAMP BURNING!
KEEP YOUR LIGHT SHINING!
NOW THAT YOU HAVE TME!
