Some of us grew up poor. Some of us grew up rich. Some of us were born in other countries. Some of us were raised in neighborhoods where there was peace, and some of us were raised around violence.

Everyone has a story about how they were shaped. What they love and what they don’t love. How culture has affected them. What music they grew up listening to. What artists and authors they like. What they enjoy doing and what they like to eat.

We came into this world not knowing any of these things about ourselves, but God knew everything.

Acts 17:26 tells us that God determined the times set for us and the exact places where we would live.

Think about that for a moment.

God knew when you would be born. He knew where you would grow up. He knew the culture you would be exposed to and the world you would live in.

YOU ARE HERE RIGHT NOW, IN THIS TIME, FOR A REASON.

This is what I know: We are supposed to love God, serve people, and multiply the gifts He has given us.

That makes me think about why I’m here right now, in this particular season of history.

We live in a time when social media allows me to communicate with people all over the world at any time. All it requires is discipline and a skill set.

I can create something from my home, press a button, and share it with someone on the other side of the world.

Think about how incredible that is!

And I have to ask myself, why am I here right now, in this time and in this age? What am I doing with everything that’s available to me to bring glory to God?

Esther 4:14 makes me think about this even more. Mordecai asked Esther who knows whether she had come to her royal position for such a time as this.

And 1 Chronicles 12:32 talks about the sons of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.

IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE THE TIMES WE’RE LIVING IN. WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE’RE SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THEM.

Social media is just one example. The point is bigger than a platform.

What gifts has God given you? What experiences have shaped you? What knowledge have you gained? What can you do with what’s already in your hands?

And how are you using those things to serve people and bring glory to God?

You have a story. You have experiences. You have gifts and abilities that were shaped by the life you’ve lived.

Don’t waste them.

God knew when you would be here, now you have to decide how you’re gonna store your time