By Rachel Hale, singer-songwriter
& “Hale’s Kitchen” creator

“WHATEVER YOU DO, WORK AT IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AS WORKING FOR THE LORD, NOT FOR HUMAN MASTERS.” - COLOSSIANS 3:23 (NLT).

It felt like a prison sentence.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit while I was in ministry school.  A Stay-at-home order was issued, and a face mask requirement went into effect.  Though I understand the need for such unusual measures in a pandemic, it had an emotional impact that I am only just now being able to process.  I was suddenly “locked down,” no longer feeling seen or heard.

I will never forget being alone in my bedroom during this time, unable to go anywhere and feeling somewhat “invisible” in the isolation.  In an intensely impactful moment of loneliness, God gently whispered to me, “I see you, and I hear you.”

It was then that I realized God is just as present as He always has been.  The Bible says (Hebrews 13:5) “I will never leave you or forsake you.”  He is as good as His Word, and He keeps His Word.  Though I was feeling hidden away and lonely, it helped me to remember I was NOT alone.

God does not change based on my circumstances, so why should my lifestyle of worship change?  In Matthew 6:4, Jesus speaks about allowing your giving to be done in secret, and “your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”  I decided I would use this time to start practicing my guitar and piano.  Being a singer-songwriter, getting better at playing my instruments was an obvious way to use this time wisely. 

I was reminded of the words of Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”  (NIV).  His glory rises on me to shine for HIM. Instead of seeing the Stay-at-home order as a prison sentence, I began to see it as an opportunity to arise and shine. 

I began to ask, “God, how can I arise and shine in my home?  How can I use my time well to shine for YOU in these circumstances? What is it that you want me to do with this time?”

I drew from what the Bible says about Paul’s time in prison.  He could not visit churches or teach people in person as he was used to doing, so he communicated in writing.  As a result, many of the New Testament books in the Bible today exist because Paul was “forced” to teach by writing.

Wow.  Talk about “hidden gems” coming out of being hidden away!  Paul used his time in prison wisely.  [See reSOURCE at bottom for more on how Paul’s imprisonment impacted his ministry].* 

I also thought about what I had learned in school about Isaac Newton’s life during the Great Plague of London.  He was in his early 20’s and a college student at Trinity College, Cambridge, when the plague hit, and he stayed home until the plague passed over.  During this time, he continued to work on mathematical problems he had begun at Cambridge, and the papers he wrote became the early Calculus now learned in our schools.   His theories on optics also came out of his sequestered time. 

And here’s a really big one for Isaac Newton.  Outside his window at Woolsthorpe, an apple fell from an orchard tree. Some accounts say it fell on his head; others that he merely saw it fall.  Either way, that one moment sparked his development of what we now know as Newton’s law of gravity.  What a difference he made in future generations by using his time “hidden away” wisely!

 As I thought about what I have to offer that could be of help to others during the shut-down, something occurred to me.

“WHETHER YOU EAT OR DRINK, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.”  -1 CORINTHIANS 10:31

I believe the body is the temple (1 Cor. 6:19), so living a healthy lifestyle is important to me.  Since I began eating a paleo diet 3 years ago, I am healthier than I have ever been in my life.  Why not start posting some fun videos preparing paleo recipes on social media?

I started an IGTV series called Hale’s Kitchen (based on my last name + a fun spin on Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen).  To my surprise, the series caught on with Instagram viewers.  Just a few months in, I am now partnering with other companies’ products and sharing a growing menu of paleo cooking moments.  I am even launching “celebrity guest” episodes!

Who knew that “juicing as unto the Lord” during a pandemic could be so fun and life-giving?! 

I can honestly say that some beautiful, hidden gems are now in plain sight from my time hidden away from the world.  Their shine is growing brighter, even as I write this blog.

God is not shocked by a pandemic. In fact, He saw it coming!  He created the solution before it hit.  You and I are the solution!  We are His hands and feet, and there is no telling what wonderful new things He will bring out of this time.  Whatever we are creating, building or reconciling “unto the Lord” will bring hidden gems out.  What the enemy means for our harm, God always uses for good.

Friend, what hidden gems does God want to bring out of you?  I share with you my life motto:  “Many people change the world when no one is looking…you just find out about it later.”

Put your hand to the plow…the plow is right where you are.  Even if you feel hidden for a season, you are in plain sight of the God who created you.  Ask Him how you can steward this time well, and He will show you.  Use your time wisely, and He will bring your hidden gems into plain sight.

“LET US NOT BECOME WEARY IN DOING GOOD, FOR AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP (NIV).” - GALATIANS 6:9

About Rachel Hale

Rachel Hale is a country singing, worship loving singer-songwriter who ‘hails’ from the small country town of Prescott, Arkansas, She was featured on Season 12 of AMERICAN IDOL, reaching the Top 20 female finalists. Billboard ranked her performance of Grace Potter’s “Nothing But the Water” as a Top 12 moment. In 2019, a song Rachel co-wrote called “Firm Foundation” was recorded by the Dove Award-winning gospel trio SELAH. Along with singing, writing and playing music, Rachel loves creating new products and bringing new ideas to life. She recently launched an IGTV series, “Hale’s Kitchen", which showcases her fun personality as she shares healthy paleo recipes in partnership with her favorite products. You can follow her at the links shown below.

Rachel’s reSOURCEs:

*More on Paul’s ministry: https://bible.org/question/how-did-paul’s-imprisonment-impact-his-ministry

“Hale’s Kitchen” IGTV series on Instagram

Rachel Hale on Facebook

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