For Such A Time As This...

Recently, we went to the capital for a Dr.'s visit and caught up with some friends who were also in the area. They briefly mentioned that our other friends had applied for their new baby's visa and only received an 'exit stamp', which meant they had 31 days to leave the country and they (well, the baby) couldn't come back unless they got approved for a new visa. We didn't discuss this much at all with them, it was mentioned and then we went on to chatting about other things, but the Lord used that simple comment to GREATLY stir up our hearts about how we use the time we've been given in this INCREDIBLE country. 

We believe He was reminding us to focus our eyes on the things He is doing and to devote ourselves to 'being about our Father's business' for however long He has us here. First, He reminded us of WHO we are:

"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and called from its farthest regions and said to you, You are MY SERVANT, I have chosen you and have not cast you away." -Isaiah 41:9

"You are MY WITNESSES says the Lord and MY SERVANT, whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and BESIDES ME, THERE IS NO SAVIOR." -Isaiah 43:10 & 11 

"If One died for all, then all died; and HE DIED FOR ALL, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE SHOULD LIVE NO LONGER FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR HIM WHO DIED FOR THEM AND ROSE AGAIN." -2 Corinthians 5:14 & 15

Then, we were reminded of WHY He chose us:

"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images." 

-Isaiah 42:6-9

Looking ahead, as we'll have our baby in January (Lord Willing), we could face the same predicament as our friends. We know that He is sovereign and in control of ALL things (including visas). However, we couldn't help but ask ourselves a few tough questions after that conversation with our friends. Some included:

-What if our baby doesn't get a visa? 

-What if we have only 31 days after s/he is born to leave the country and not come back? 

-Would the way we've spent our time here be pleasing to Him? 

-Did we spend real, quiet time in His presence and prayer?

-Did we listen/ask for how He wanted us to use our time? 

-Did we obey the things His Spirit prompted us to do? 

-Was our focus on the things that were seen or unseen?

We know we will ALL one day give an account of EVERY aspect of our life (1 Corinthians 3:12-15), so we were really challenged and encouraged to make the MOST of every opportunity given, WHEREVER we are. We wanted to encourage you with the verses below and join us in asking Him to show us if we're making the most of ALL that we've been given (time, talents, treasures, influence, etc.) Our time on this earth is short. Seasons of our life are even shorter. Are we abiding in Him and doing our part to share His Kingdom? I pray we are! Each of us are in the places we are by His appointment (Acts 17:26). And who knows if we have been put in our place for SUCH A TIME AS THIS! 

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil." 

-Ephesians 5:15 & 16

"Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. YET WHO KNOWS IF YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?" -Esther 4:13 & 14

"'In an acceptable time I have heard you and in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, NOW is the accepted time, TODAY is the day of salvation." -2 Corinthians 6:2

"PREACH THE WORD! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching." -2 Timothy 4:2

 

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION for EVERYONE who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." -Romans 1:16

"Be kindly affectionate to one another; not lagging in diligence,FERVENT IN SPIRIT, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality" 

-Romans 12:11-13.