5 March ~ “The Timer”

Each night, as instructed by Dr. Almeta Stokes, I go under the covering of my Tallit (prayer shawl) for five minutes. Dr. Stokes is a professor at Howard University and a prayer warrior in my church organization. She has the gift of healing and prays consistently, often utilizing her prayer shawl.

Prior to my departure, Dr. Stokes presented me with my very own prayer shawl during a women’s power-hour of prayer session. Her guidance to pray for only five minutes was to teach me discipline and focus when approaching God’s throne. I use my phone’s timer to ensure I only pray for five minutes. I try to shut up and let God speak, but I often become distracted. It is hard—I always have something I want to say.

The timer went off at the set time of five minutes. We all are affected by the timer; we all have an appointed time. The timer is clicking and when God says ENOUGH, time will be no more for us here on Earth. We have appointed times for certain jobs or responsibilities. When the set time arrives, the timer will sound off and that job has ended—just like retirement.

We need to make the best of the time God has given us. As the seconds pass by, we should make every one of them count. When we stand before God at Judgment, we want Him to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You used every second I gave you to My honor and glory. Come be with me in my Kingdom.”

Now, I understand that we don’t always say nor do the right thing every second of the day. We are imperfect creatures, striving for perfection to make every second count towards our rewards in heaven. But the timer is counting down. “Lord, make me aware of Your will so I can be available to You and use my time wisely.”

  “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).