Timing is Everything

“Timing is everything” is a phrase that's applicable to a lot of things: cooking, medicine, finances, even a joke. With any of these things, timing makes the difference between a disaster or a delight. But timing is important in your spiritual things as well. Peter reminds us that the Second Coming of the Christ is a matter of timing–God's timing. Jesus was very conscious of His own timing while on the earth. He lived with an understanding that timing is everything:

* John 2:4 – “My time has not yet come”
* John 7:6 – “The right time for me has not yet come”
* John 7:30, 8:20 – “His time had not yet come”

But throughout the Bible, we read of people that weren't aware of God's timing in their lives. From Moses and his attempt to liberate the Hebrews, to Achan and the penalty he received for plundering the conquered towns during the conquest of Canaan, these people all quickly realized that God has a timing that is perfect. If we’ll be patient enough, and obedient enough, to follow His lead, we’ll be blessed.

It’s important not to see our situations and react in ways that don’t include God’s way of doing things based on our feelings. It’s easy to count something as lost before the battle is over, or to claim the victory too soon. Do you know how to look at the situations in your life and see how God might be working with you?

Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

We have been called “according to HIS purpose,” not ours. In a world that so quickly gives up on Godly principles because of a lack of focus or because of some selfish agenda, we have to stay faithful. People often make these kinds of justifications for practices that don’t line up with God’s will:

* you get tired of waiting for the right "someone" and so you agree to live together or you marry someone who is not right for you.

* you want something now so you charge it rather than waiting until you have the money and end up paying more and digging yourself into financial bondage.

* Instead of waiting for a nice quiet and calm moment to talk to a friend about a problem, you blurt it out in a spirit of confrontation when others are around.

* Instead of a church waiting for the "right time" to build, they rush ahead and get into a mortgage that hampers ministry.

God knows what He is doing. His delays are always purposeful. When we dare to live by His timing, great things happen.