March 4
The Time
Is Now
“So God chooses to show mercy to anyone he wants to. So it doesn’t depend on what people want or do.”
Romans 9:16, NIrV
Trisha’s life was comfortable. She had a great job, a beautiful home, and a lively social circle. Church and faith were things she’d grown up with, but over time, they had taken a back seat.
“I’ll think about God later,” she told herself whenever the topic came up. “I’ve got plenty of time.”
Her friends often invited her to Bible studies, and her mom never stopped praying for her. Still, Trisha brushed it off. “I’m too busy,” she would say, scrolling through her phone or planning her next vacation.
One crisp autumn evening, Trisha ran into an old friend, Kendra, at a coffee shop. They started chatting, and Kendra shared how her faith had deepened over the past year. “I’ve never felt so much peace,” Kendra said, her eyes glowing with joy.
“That’s great for you,” Trisha replied politely, but she felt a strange tug in her heart.
The next morning, Trisha woke up early to a flood of messages on her phone. Kendra had been in a serious car accident the previous night. Thankfully, she survived but was in critical condition.
Shaken, Trisha sat at her kitchen table, staring at her untouched cup of coffee. “What if that had been me?” she whispered. For the first time, the weight of eternity pressed heavily on her heart. She realized she’d been living as though she had endless tomorrows.
That afternoon, she opened the Bible her mother had given her years ago. As she flipped through the pages, her eyes landed on Romans 9:16: “So God chooses to show mercy to anyone he wants to. So it doesn’t depend on what people want or do.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. She had spent her life assuming she could get to God on her terms, in her own time. But now, she understood that mercy was a gift—one she could only receive by turning to Him.
Later that evening, Trisha knelt beside her bed. “God,” she prayed, “I’ve been so foolish. Forgive me for putting You off. I don’t want to wait any longer. I need Your mercy. I need You.”
That moment marked the beginning of a transformation. Trisha started attending church regularly, joined a small group, and even reached out to Kendra to pray for her recovery. Her priorities shifted, and her once-empty faith now filled her with hope and purpose.
Prayer:
Thank You for Your mercy, which is not something we can earn but a precious gift You freely give.
Forgive us when we put off seeking You, thinking we have all the time in the world.
Help us to see the urgency of responding to Your call.
Thank You for the story of Trisha, which reminds us that tomorrow is not promised, but Your love is always available today.
Soften our hearts, Lord, and lead us to trust in Your perfect timing and plan.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
