God's Timing vs. My Timing

Have you ever thought of “time” as something that is divinely appointed by God Himself? I don’t know about you, but it seems like I am always trying to control my “time.” Today I realized just how futile that is. It really hasn’t got me anywhere. In fact, I believe my over-planning has actually sabotaged me. I’ve been seriously overwhelmed by many things—good things I might add. However, my mind has been swirling around in a constant flurry of things I need to do. It is the busy month of May, and there are flowers to bloom, sporting events to attend, end of the year school activities and concerts, and last but not least—my son is graduating from high school. Our church has recently begun to challenge us to regularly serve in our community, as we rightfully should. Add a part-time job, the companionship of friends that I so long to enjoy, as well as a body that is screaming out for exercise—well, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. So, what do I do? I make lists. Priority lists. I try to set aside time for this and time for that, but so often the things I want to do just don’t happen in my way or in my time.

Believe me, I have sought the Lord for His opinion, and today my heart was ready to listen. As is sat in the stillness of His presence, I could hear Him whisper to my heart that all of the events and circumstances of my life are in His hands, but that I have made an “idol” out of my time. Wow—that hurt. “But Lord, there is just so much to do. How do I know what to do, when to do it, and what to let go of?” He led me to several passages wherein He talks about time. Ecclesiastes 3 is entitled “A Time for Everything.” “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot…..” In this chapter God tells us that we are subject to times and changes over which we have little or no control. Ecclesiastes 8:6 states “there is a proper time and procedure for every matter.” So I had to ask myself, “Why do I think that I can control time?” All I do is get myself agitated and give up when the goals I set don’t get accomplished in my perfect timing!

God was trying to get my attention to let me know that my job is to do what He has called me to do and not to get fixated on the timing of it all. Several months ago I began a project—writing a book that I wanted to dedicate to my college-bound son. I did great for the first month, and then as my deadline drew closer and closer I became frustrated because everything else seemed to be getting in my way of writing. So, what did I do? I stopped writing altogether. I wanted to present the completed book to my son as a graduation gift; however, that cannot happen now as his graduation is only 3 weeks away!

I just love how God gets our attention at times. I have been very overwhelmed lately, and today He turned my heart toward my unfinished project. He let me know that He did not command me to finish it by May. He just wanted me to be faithful to write it. The timing of its completion would be in His hands. Psalm 31:14 says, “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, You are my God. My times are in your hands.” In other words, if I would just do my part, God would make sure to do His. If I would have been faithful to do what He called me to do and not focus on the end outcome, I could have spared myself needless frustration.

While this may be just one small example, in the big scheme of things I can see how often I have thwarted my own progress by always trying to “control the outcome.” God graciously used this recent event to show me that I must take my strong grip off of the wheel, and allow God to steer my life. Several Bible stories of God’s people come to mind wherein God gave clear direction, and because the timing did not appear as they intended, they took matters into their own hands. I think of Abram and Sarai and how they ran ahead of God. God clearly told Abram that He would make him the father of many nations, but because Sarai was advanced in years and had not yet conceived a child, she persuaded Abram to sleep with her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. He did, and Hagar conceived a child – Ishmael. Then Sarai began to despise her (Genesis 16). God told Abram that his wife Sarai would bring forth a child, Isaac, and that His covenant would be established with him and his descendants after him. When Sarai found out about this she laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:12) I love the Lord’s response. “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.” (Genesis 18:14)

The story of Queen Esther is another “time” story. As a Jewess, she came to a royal position for such a time as this to deliver her people from annihilation (Esther 4:14). Then in John 2:4, Jesus tells His mother, ”Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.” In 2 Corinthians 6:2, it says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”Throughout the Bible it is evident that God’s timing is perfect. There truly is a perfect time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. There is a time to speak up, and there is a time to be silent. There is a time for action, and there is a time to be still. There is a time to weep, and there is a time to laugh. The fact remains that God’s timing is often different than our timing, yet His timing is perfect. The beautiful irony is that no one really wants all that stress and burden anyway. God wants to take the pressure from us so that we can focus on the one thing that is truly important—an intimate relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the burden-bearer; He is the one who carries us, equips us, sustains us, and enables us. He knows how easily we grow weary, and that we need His constant provision, strength, guidance, and yes, even His timing. For His timing is perfect—every single time!

I will resume writing on my book resting in God’s perfect timing for the completion of this project. And, no, it will not be ready by graduation, but who knows? Maybe I will still be able to present it to him before he leaves for college in September. The burden is no longer mine. My job is to simply write it! God will bring it to completion in His time, and not a day before.

For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Romans 9:9

It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Acts 1:7

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

Waiting on God

My pastor is currently doing a series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount wherein Jesus gave the Beatitudes. Jesus taught the multitudes about what really mattered – heartfelt obedience, not legalistic observance of the law. The third beatitude talks about the meek. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5. I’ve always wondered what it means to be meek. Although the dictionary defines it as being patient, humble and submissive, the worldly definition seems to invoke a state of “weakness” and “timidity.” Is that what meekness really is? No. On the contrary, biblical meekness is strength under control. It involves quietly submitting to God and in one’s patience keeping possession of his own soul, even when he cannot possess or change anything else. In other words, he recognizes that “self” can’t do anything. Basically it means that self-help can’t help. It is a recognition and desire to hand over the controls of your life to God. Biblical meekness is about releasing your life and decisions to God. You recognize that you are insufficient to handle life on your own. Then, you do the hardest part of all—be still and wait on God, especially through the difficult situations. God is certainly not slumbering while you are waiting for His answer. He has a magnificent way of working on his children during the “waiting” period, and often the process of waiting for a message from God can be just as important as the message itself. So be on the lookout for God’s answers. Don’t give in to worry which will do nothing but promote anxiety and distrust.

What makes waiting so difficult? It is interesting to note that we are willing to wait on things that are important to us. For example, we wait in line at a grocery store so we can buy groceries; we wait by the phone for an important phone call regarding a doctor’s prognosis; we wait for months for the arrival of a healthy baby; and we even plan and wait for next summer’s vacation. In short, the value we place on a person or object dictates the amount of time we are willing to wait on them. Don’t we value hearing from God? Why is it we always feel we have to run ahead of Him and take matters into our own hands? It is inevitable—He will speak and He will act, yet in His timing. The question remains, “Are you willing to wait?”

If you are willing to wait on God why not take a moment to consider meekness. Jesus taught that the meek are blessed and will inherit the earth. Remember though that being blessed means much more than a state of happiness. Things in this life do not always promote happiness. Can you be happy when you watch your savings account plummet to an all time low? Can you be happy when your employer terminates your position due to downsizing and hard economic times? Can you be happy when your child makes unwise decisions that reap severe consequences? No, of course not. Being blessed in God’s kingdom means experiencing a hope and joy despite any difficult circumstances you may be going through. This hope and joy goes much deeper. It means not fretting over unrighteousness, but leaving that in the hands of mighty God. It involves releasing your fears and the things you have tried to control over to Him. It means following Jesus and trusting Him to keep His Word. Above all it means continually focusing on Him, not your outward circumstances. This is not to say that it will be easy—it will take diligent effort on your part. Fill your mind with the truth of God’s Word and let it sink in deep. Surround yourself with Christian brothers and sisters who can pray for you in your weakness. Pray and fast while you wait for your answer.

When Jesus says the meek will inherit the earth I believe He is saying that this meek state of heart will promote comfort and security, and that you truly will be able to find solace and peace even in the midst of difficulty. Continue to be patient, doing the work God has given you to do, and allow Him to choose the best time to change your circumstances. He promises that if you submit to His timing, He will honor you.

“Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. Psalm 37:34

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:5