“Be very careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV)
I noticed it on day 3 of quarantine; how suddenly resources became more precious. I was making a night deposit and needed an envelope. Having recently moved across the country; you’d be surprised the ordinary things we haven’t restocked yet. I retrieved a used envelope from the opened mail pile, scratched out the previous addresses and added my account numbers. In that moment, I remembered my grandfather’s basement, a place I haven’t set foot in since the eighties; piled high with stacks of used envelopes and old tins stuffed with buttons and string. All of the sudden, his depression-era hoarding makes a whole lot of sense while we struggle to find basic things like milk and bleach.
I’m not alone in these thoughts. My facebook feed is full of people who have quite overnight, become aware of their food consumption, the unreliability of basic resources and the brazenness of waste. We just aren’t sure when and what will be purchasable so we’ve become more intentional with the assets in our possession. What a dramatic turn from our disposable culture a mere month ago!
At the same time, it seems that many have become preoccupied with end time prophecy. I’ve seen a lot of posts and received quite a few messages about biblical revelation as it relates to modern events. My response? Walk in obedience and look up for further direction.
As I was praying in the sanctuary yesterday, I realized that as time runs low our resources become limited. Much like the toilet paper and hand sanitizer; what was ordinary becomes precious. Our hours and energy are in short supply. We can spend ourselves in worry or fear or complaint (Lord knows there’s plenty of that in our newsfeed) OR we can be wise with our finite selves. We can spend our remaining hours in prayer, crying out to the One who can intervene. We can seek the Giver and Sustainer. We can concentrate our efforts on bringing Him glory and following His lead.
We can’t do both. We cannot complain and worry and cower whilst we cry out in hope. We must choose how we will spend our most precious resource: the hours and days we’ve been given.
The thing is, when we think about revelation prophecy, we trend toward fear. Consideration of end times reveals our lack of confidence in eternity. Our comfort in this life is exposed, as well as the weakness of our satisfaction in Christ. This revelation pains me. This shouldn’t be the case for believer. Birthing pains indicate the coming reality of new life, not death. We can receive such activity with enthusiasm; heaven is at hand! Our Redeemer King is coming! We can joyfully prepare our hearts to receive Him and the fullness of all His promises!
For me personally, this Coronavirus season has rewritten what is essential. I’m not referring to the government-drawn guidelines about who can work and who stays home. I’m seeing all the places that I have wasted resources on unnecessary things. Right now, worship is essential. Prayer and bible reading, is essential. Family time and right relationship; all essential. Turns out that Target, Marshalls and Poshmark are all inessential; frivolous expenditures of precious resources.
What about you? What have you learned in this season? How are you spending your resources? Has the hope of heaven become real just yet?
“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'” (Mark 13:35-37 NIV)
Lord, forgive us for all the days and ways we’ve wasted what You have entrusted to us. Help us live now in obedience and hope. Align our agenda with Yours as we spend ourselves on You. Amen.