Time… We all have the same amount, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, 52 weeks in a year. The current COVID-19 pandemic, however, has changed the ways that most of us are using our time. For some of us, we actually have more things to do in the same number of hours, we have extra responsibilities, new challenges, less or different resources, and the list goes on. For others, we have a great deal more down time; we cannot do our usual activities; perhaps you cannot work for your employer. For all of us, it is important that we use our time wisely, that we make it count.

Below this paragraph, I have included links to a few online resources that have been encouraging and refreshing to me. Some of them will only take you 5 minutes. Some of them could keep you busy from 30 minutes to many days. I pray that as you explore them, you would be blessed, challenged, encouraged, and changed.

Ligonier Ministries is committed to bringing Biblical truth to the world. Founded by the late Dr. R. C. Sproul, this ministry has both published resources ranging from multiple books to a monthly publication, Table Talk. During this pandemic, Ligonier has made their online streaming teaching series, which consist of lectures from qualified Bible and seminary teachers that are 23 minutes each, on a variety of scriptural and theological topics, available to the general public for free. You may access these lectures by clicking here, download the accompanying study guides, or you could even start an online study group utilizing Ligonier Connect.

First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, has streaming services every Sunday morning and Sunday evening as well as some lovely weekday devotionals. They also have a regularly updated COVID-19 Ministry page.

Desiring God Ministries started by John Piper has many helpful sermons, blogs, and articles.

Grace to You Ministries started by John MacArthur also has many delightful articles, sermons, and resources.

Perhaps this is a time for you to learn a new language, a new skill, or to work out. Perhaps you are busier than ever working in the field of politics, finance, or medicine. Whatever your calling, don’t forget to make your time count. Focus on what is important. Be faithful. Prepare for the future, and keep eternity in mind. We all have the same number of minutes in a day, but none of us know when our time will run out.

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,  so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27,28 ESV)