At The Time of Nick (Just At The Nick of Time) ✍️

The first time I went grocery shopping during the pandemic lockdown, worship music filled the air at Puregold QPlaza Cainta. Moved by the songs, I told the cashier how beautiful the songs were, and she smiled and said, “Gusto po ng may-ari na mga christian songs daw po ang patugtugin lalo na maraming nagkakasakit at namamatay ngayon dahil sa virus.” In that moment, amid fear and uncertainty, that simple act of worship felt like a quiet comfort, of faith, and of hope, a light breaking through a very dark time.

The cashier was right. And it led me to ask myself: why do we often become more spiritual in seasons of hardship? It is often in loss of health, loved ones, relationships, or security that we finally turn inward. When we are deep in sorrow, mired in the mud with nowhere left to go, our hearts, minds, and souls, our entire being, begin to surrender to what truly matters. This pattern isn’t just something we feel internally; it’s something we see play out again and again in real life.

I have a friend whom I often invite to our Bible study. She is busy. Her family travels often, and her work as an insurance agent keeps her constantly meeting sales demands, especially after her promotion to area manager.

The first time I invited her to have a Bible study, she declined. The second time, she agreed. I reminded her as the date approached, hoping she could come. But on the day itself, she said she had an unexpected appointment and couldn’t make it.

Surely many of us have family members, friends, relatives, or coworkers whom we have invited to Sunday worship services or Bible studies, only to be met with polite refusals, each with their own reasons.

For those whose spirits have been awakened by the grace of the Lord, this can lead to quiet reflection: why does it seem so difficult for many people to truly make room for God when everything appears to be going well in their lives, when health is strong, careers are thriving, relationships are stable, and life feels secure?

Often, when we extend an invitation to those who are busy yet comfortably living, we hear familiar responses: “My schedule is hectic,” or “I have so many things to take care of.” It is not always rejection, but self-sufficiency. When life feels full, God can slowly be pushed to the margins, not intentionally, but almost unconsciously.

It is not surprising, then, that many people come to know Jesus during moments of deep vulnerability. When they hit rock bottom, lie in hospital beds nearing the end of life, or find themselves confined at home by serious illness. In such moments, the noise of the world fades, and hearts often become more open to faith and reflection. Even those who have lost their freedom through imprisonment may become more receptive to the message of hope shared through prison ministry. In these quiet, humbling circumstances, many listen more attentively and turn to Scripture with sincere devotion. Scripture confirms what these experiences quietly teach us.

Again and again, both Scripture and lived experience remind us that it is often in seasons of loss: when health declines, relationships falter, or worldly securities fall apart, that hearts are softened and eyes are lifted toward heaven. When everything we once relied on is stripped away, we begin to see more clearly that God was what we needed all along.

In surrender, people find time: to pray, to open the Word, to listen. And in that quiet turning, faith is born or renewed. Not because suffering is desired, but because it reveals the fragile foundations we once trusted and it points us back to the One who has always been trustworthy, faithful, and ever unchanging.

Dear Friend, no matter where life has placed you, whether in comfort or in struggle, I want to gently encourage you to take a moment to meet Jesus and open His Word. Not tomorrow, not next week, not when it feels convenient, but today. This very moment is a precious gift, and God’s is just waiting for you to acknowledge Him.

Life is unpredictable, and none of us knows what tomorrow may bring. But turning to Him today can fill your heart with peace, hope, and joy that no circumstance can take away. Take this small step, and let it be the beginning of your beautiful, life-changing journey with Him. With love and prayers for your heart🙏

✝️ Read the Bible 📖