In the constant rush of daily life, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by endless responsibilities and distractions. Yet amid the busyness of each day, we can choose to live with focused intention to recognize a deeper, more meaningful calling: cherishing each moment that God has graciously entrusted to us.
Time is a mysterious force. Sometimes it seems to drag on, moving at a sloth’s pace. Other times, the days can seem to hurry past.
And somewhere between the waiting and the rushing, God is quietly shaping us … if only we’re willing to notice.
When we look back on our days, weeks, months, and years—filled with joys, achievements, and a few tough truths we felt unprepared to face, we can better understand something important. Every moment, whether rewarding, precious, regretful, or difficult, serves as a reminder that we are never alone in the process of living. Isn’t it in times like these that we can see how God’s presence continues to surround us, watching over us and guiding us through every season?
Instead of allowing time to pass unnoticed, we can slow down to embrace God’s presence in our lives and intentionally recognize blessings lovingly woven into each day as gifts He has entrusted to us. Genesis 28:15 tells us, “I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” Because our very lives are supported by God’s caring hands, we should begin each day with fresh confidence and a clear sense of purpose, recognizing the opportunities present in every moment.
Imagine how our lives would transform, if instead of letting time slip away, we chose to meet every opportunity with godly wisdom. By responding to each moment with a heart that seeks God’s direction, we would naturally slow our pace and become more attentive to the blessings and lessons built into our days. Such intentional living would heighten our awareness of God’s presence, inspire us to nurture deeper relationships, and encourage us to use our gifts to serve others.
When we allow wisdom to guide our choices, we begin to see ordinary moments as extraordinary opportunities—each one an invitation to trust God, encourage those around us, and fulfill our unique purpose with grace and gratitude. In this way, we become vessels of God’s love, making an enduring impact on our families, friends, and communities, and discovering the peace and fulfillment that comes from living each day fully present and aligned with His will.
Several years ago, while returning from a weekend trip, I made a stop near my brother’s hometown to meet him for coffee at a café just off the interstate. We enjoyed each other’s company, sharing laughter and stories as we sipped our drinks, and the time seemed to fly by. Since I still had a long drive ahead, I got up to leave.
But my brother reached out, took my hand with his left hand, and with his right hand tapped the top of his coffee cup, asking, “Wait, stay a little longer and have one more cup of coffee with me.” I sat back down, and we continued our conversation as before. However, as I kept an eye on the time, I realized I really needed to get going, so I stood up to say goodbye once more.
Again, my brother covered his coffee cup with his hand and gently insisted, “Just one more cup of coffee.” Little did I know that it would be our last meeting for coffee here on this earth. He received a terminal cancer diagnosis and was given just six weeks to live; after that treasured moment of time together, his health inevitably declined and on the first day of the year, a little more than two months later, earthly time seemed to stand still for our entire family as we said goodbye to my brother.
Since that sobering New Year’s Day, I try to begin each New Year asking God to give me wisdom to know how to be present, how to slow down, how to embrace the life I’ve been given—recognizing the blessings lovingly woven into each day as gifts He has entrusted to us.
One Bible verse that beautifully encourages us to pause and appreciate the special moments God has given us is Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Our lives have meaning from the start, and when we trust in God we become aware of the opportunity each moment holds. By living wisely and intentionally, we fulfill our God-given purpose and make the most of each day and embracing the people we love effectively.
Though we cannot change the past or recover missed opportunities, we can begin new habits like pausing to treasure every day as a gift from God. This might mean lingering with a loved one, listening patiently to a familiar story, or cherishing the features of someone dear to us. Being present, rather than distracted by busyness, allows us to live with intention and savor the days God has marked for us. And when we fall short, we can accept our humanity and trust God with what we cannot control. And then we can try again.
If you are a woman desiring to embrace God’s supernatural plan for your life, or desiring to be more present and intentional with the time God has assigned for you, be encouraged by reading about notable women in the Bible, like Deborah whose story is told in Judges 4. She lived during a time when circumstantial moments in time elevated her as a viable voice of wisdom for God’s beloved nation of Israel.
The nation of Israel was exhausted, weary from the hardships of settling into a new land, and leaders had lost heart. These circumstances made it possible for Deborah to be in the right place at the right time for the right people to benefit in the right way. Deborah, known for her wisdom, sat under a tree pouring out knowledge into those in need of encouragement, solutions for living, direction, and good, old fashioned common sense. Her humility was beautiful. She seemed unconcerned about getting credit for herself and more concerned about God receiving all the glory He deserved through her obedience to Him. It was as though she understood her days were numbered and desperately purposed within herself to use each one to complete God’s purposed plans.
Barak, the leader for Israel’s army, feared Canaan’s most powerful military leader, Sisera, and refused to go into battle unless Deborah agreed to go with him. What a shock it must have been to have a woman’s presence carry such weight and influence during a time when women did not speak in public.
God wants to use your life to create a lasting impact in the lives of others as He used Deborah to speak courage over the leader of God’s Israelite army. I pray you realize how deeply God loves a woman who is willing to seek guidance, show His love, speak His name, and value the opportunities to influence others positively.
Are you a woman who is willing to be at the right place at the right time for His right purposes? Let us press into the heart of God for His best positioning. Let’s look for places where He can be most glorified, and remain there for “one more cup of coffee.”
- “My times are in your hand.” Psalms 31:15
- “He has made everything beautiful in His time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
- “You do not know what tomorrow will bring.” James 4:14
- “Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of the time.” Colossians 4:5
I encourage you to carry one of the following verses throughout each day in the coming week. I pray God will bless this transformational time spent in His presence and expand your ability to be present in the many roles you play within your life. May your joy increase as you treasure the moments in time God has entrusted to you with the same purpose and intention he entrusted to, Deborah—a wife, judge, and warrior.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for helping me to treasure every moment of the life You have given me. Teach me how to spend my time in ways that honor You. Help me to be the kind of woman who leaves a lasting impact for Your glory. Thank You for the comfort of knowing my time here is in Your capable hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
