Perfect Timing

Perfect timing!” I exclaim as my family walks in the door just as I finish baking cookies. Usually, “perfect timing” is what we say when things happen when we want them to, at our convenience, according to our planning and preferences. But what about when things don’t work out according to our timing or terms? When disappointments pile up, or we miss out on opportunities? What about when our prayers feel unanswered, or we feel stuck in life?When we look at the Bible, we see that God’s timing often looks very different from the timing we have in mind. Take Abraham and Sarah, for example. God promised them a son when they were more than ninety years old! After years of waiting, even in their old age, God gave them a son, Isaac, and his descendants became the people of Israel (Genesis 21:1-7).Then there’s Job. He faced immense suffering and lost wealth, health, and family, but he was patient and trusted God and once again experienced God’s overflowing blessing. Job’s story reveals that “the Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:10-11).Finally, when Jesus heard that His friend Lazarus was sick, Jesus waited two days before starting the journey to Lazarus’s home in Bethany. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Everyone thought Jesus was too late to save him. But Jesus went to the tomb and shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus came back to life (John 11:43-44)!These stories remind us that God is always on time: never too early, never too late. Waiting isn’t easy for any of us, but God is with us in times of waiting, steadfastly loving us. And if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He helps us to become patient like He is patient (Galatians 5:22). Through the Holy Spirit, He teaches us, reminds us to surrender control, and helps us trust in Him. Through waiting, He helps us grow in faith and learn to live in the present, trusting God with our future because His plan is bigger than ours. We might think God is slow to fulfill His promises, but that isn’t the case; rather, God is patient with us, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9). He sees things from an eternal perspective, all part of His great story. • Abby Ciona• Do you ever question God’s timing?• In John 11:4-7, why did Jesus wait to go to Lazarus? Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

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Prov.3.5-Prov.3.6|Lam.3.25-Lam.3.26|1Pet.5.6