Making the Most of the Time God Has Given You

In many countries right now, young people and furloughed workers are confronted with boredom due to the current Coronavirus epidemic.  Many businesses may be closed.  Schools are closed.  Public parks, lakes, and beaches are often closed.  As a consequence, things that once seemed mundane now offer a welcome distraction.

What should people who suddenly have extra time on their hands do with that time?

Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, do it with all of your heart, as though you are working for the Lord, not for other people."

Our ability to serve God in our current environment has changed, but it has not been eliminated.  Instead, our current circumstances present new opportunities to serve the Lord more effectively or in new ways.  Here are some ways you can continue to be a good steward with any extra time you now have.

Growing Closer to Christ, Growing Stronger for Christ, Going Deeper with Christ

1. Create a list of your favorite Bible verses and memorize them.
2. Read an entire book of the Bible all the way through, taking notes or highlighting along the way.
3. Memorize your favorite chapter of the Bible.
4. Study a Biblical language like ancient Hebrew or Koine (Hellenistic) Greek to better understand Scripture.
5. Study a modern language that will help you evangelize beyond your own culture.  Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Hindi, Malay, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese are some of the languages with vast numbers of speakers across the globe.
6. If you already know a foreign language, refresh your memory by reading the Bible in that language.  Digital and printed Bibles in various languages are not difficult to find online.
7. A great family project is building a family altar where the family can pray together to God.
8. If you prefer a place for personal prayer, consider dedicating a portion of your closet or corner of a room to worshipping the Triune God.  Make it a comfortable and inviting spot that you are likely to visit daily.
9. Start keeping a prayer journal where you write down your prayers to God and take notes on Scripture reading.
10. Purchase a wide-margin Bible so that you can write down all the notes you wish.
11. Take up a hobby that makes you feel closer to God.  Examples: writing, reading, running, weight-lifting, gardening, cooking, painting, woodcarving, mechanical repair, playing a musical instrument, singing, or bicycling.  Incorporate prayer into your hobby and dedicate that time to the Lord.
12. Call local widows, elderly, and shut-ins to check on them, see how they are doing, and offer a word of encouragement.
13. Call friends who have no siblings.  Being a single child in this environment can be very lonely.
14. Study a subject that would help you do mission work later on: nursing, biology, a foreign language, theology, practical ministry, etc.
15. Read a Christian book by a solid Christian author, such as, C.S. Lewis, Billy Graham, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Francis of Assisi, Charles Spurgeon, Max Lucado, etc.
16. Reconnect with your family.  Call or sit down with family members to ask how they are doing.  Share your feelings.  Go for a walk with family members.  Cook together.  Eat together.  Pray together.
17. Reach out to family members or childhood friends who you haven't spoken with in a while.
18. Do something special for someone.  Write an encouraging letter.  Paint or draw a piece of artwork for them.  Patiently provide instructions on how to do something you know how to do.  Make a greeting card for someone.  
19. Go shopping or run an errand for an elderly or disabled person.
20. Spend time with the Lord in prayer.

Time is the one commodity that we cannot make more of, so it is the commodity that we are most responsible for making the most of.  If your current circumstances have created extra time, try your best to consider it a gift, given to you by the Lord.  As Christians, we know that every good and perfect gift is from above, and we should use every gift to the glory of God who created us.

Friends in Christ, I hope this post finds you healthy and well.  I am praying for you today that God will meet your needs and that He will help you use the time you have been given to glorify His Holy Name.

In Jesus Christ, Amen!