Through all of what we’ve gone through in the last couple of years, riddle me this. Who are you now? Have you changed? Conquered any goals? What have you done differently since the world literally closed down for 2+ years? Exactly who are you now?

Those are real questions each of us should take a moment to stop and reflect upon. If we went into the pandemic fearful and hesitant about most things; we should have marched out of it fearless, confident, and courageous. A joke at the baptismal pool is that a person can go in as a dry sinner and simply come out a wet one. Get it? Meaning they went into a situation with great intentions; however, one still came out or returned the same.

Well, truth be told, that joke has a lot of truth in it as it takes time to truly make effective changes in our lives. We don’t get baptized and all of a sudden be free of sin. No dear, some uninformed Christian may have you to believe it’s just that simple. But, it is not. Being or doing anything in life doesn’t just happen. There are steps we have to endure, processes we have to complete, ups and downs we have to experience before we start to see the fruits of our labor. It takes time.

Hence, the premise of this blog. During the pandemic, we had nothing but time on our hands. So, I ask again. Who are you now? How did this pandemic change the whole fabric of your being? Are you more self-aware now (or are things just happening to you without your realization or input)? Did you read more (or has that goal not reached the table)? Are you nicer (or still mean)? Are you quicker to extend grace to others (or do you only reserve grace for you and your family)? Are you loving your neighbor (or haven’t met them still)? After all this time! Really. We gotta do better (that one was for me…sigh). Are you throwing your all into your assignments/work (or only giving half the effort but expecting full benefits)?

What are you doing differently than before? I’ll ask again. Who are you now my friend? 

Surely, we haven’t wasted the time given. I pray that is not the case. We literally had so much free time to just sit in our thoughts. 

Meditation. 

Prayer. 

Reading. 

Journaling. 

Surely, this wasn’t time wasted. And if it was, don’t fret. If you can’t point to anything done differently, no noticable changes within, no dramatic changes externally that others take note to, no goal crushing, no goals even set, no promotions, no relocations, no elevations, etc. Regardless of what you accomplished or not, guess what. You still have time. 

Once I realized the timing we had on our hands, I began to take advantage of it in various ways. Please note, I didn’t come to this realization in 2020. Trust it took my mental environment some time to gather itself from all of the distractions. But once I elliminated those things from crowding my space, I expanded my territory with God; in such a way that is intentional, unique, and what works for me. I don’t read the Bible often, so I won’t allow you to think that I do because I don’t. I pray often but some days I do forget. However, the way I acknowledge Him and absorb His presence in my life is through listening and watching sermons on YouTube through my favorite pastors or televangelists. Sermons are in my ear as I get dressed, as I shower, on the commute into work, commute after work, as I clean the house, as I cook, etc. Just ask my kids. It’s our background noise in whatever room I’m occupying at the time. Seeking Him more is a part of Who I Am. As He has become a part of me.

That was just a small tweak in my daily schedule to build my relationship with God. Therefore, I’m encouraging you to start now. It doesn’t matter that we don’t have the time the pandemic once afforded us and no reason to beat yourself up about it. Move on. The time is now. The stage is set. A new normal has evolved. There is still time to do the things we’ve always wanted to do. There is still time to set a new and bigger goal. The world has reopened but we still have time. What better time than now. 

If you start now and give yourself some time, then ask yourself: Who am I now? Your answer will be different. Maybe you didn’t have an answer today, but if you’d just allow your feet to begin, you have everything you need to change the trajectory of your life. What’s in your hand David (Biblical reference)? What will you do with the time you have left? ~Bishop T. D. Jakes

Start now.

Remember you are your own competition.

Competition of 1