Waiting for Warmth

After taking many showers, I know pretty well where to set the faucet for the perfect temperature. I turn the shower on, let it warm and then I enter to take the perfect shower. I may need to adjust the handle a little bit, but any adjustments or minor.
In a hurry the other day, I set the dial and pulled on the shower. I did not wait long enough for the water flow to warm up. As I stepped into the shower, I shivered at the water which was just becoming lukewarm. It took only a moment more to heat up, but that particular moment was very unpleasant.
Do I ever rush into something that God has planned for me? Just like the dial was set correctly on my shower, I may be walking in the correct plan that God has for my life. But just knowing and being willing to walk into that plan is not enough. God's plan has not only a direction that He has set, but it also has a timing that He has set. If we get too eager and rush into things ahead of God’s time, it may not be entirely pleasant. Just as it takes time for the water to heat up (especially in Wisconsin winter) it may take time for God's power and character to be established before a plan reaches its desired time for most effectiveness. Other lives will be affected by what we do and when we do it.
How do we learn to wait and understand God's timing? We can learn from our greatest example of all, Jesus.  “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].” (Hebrews 12:2a AMP) He possessed all power of almighty God, every minute of every day. Yet, even with all that power, He knew the value of proper timing.

The public ministry of Jesus begins with His baptism by his cousin John. John spoke these words. “And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).” (Mark 1:15 AMP) Jesus came to the earth at the appointed time. He was not early or late. This is confirmed by the writer of Hebrews. “But [that appointed time came] when Christ (the Messiah) appeared as a High Priest of the better things that have come and are to come.” (Hebrews 9:11 AMP)

 When Jesus spoke of God's kingdom, others wanted Him to overthrow the world system of that time. Jesus knew not only His purpose, but also the correct time of His actions. He was not moved by the urgings of others, but as His death neared He spoke these words.“And Jesus answered them, The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified and exalted. (John 12:23 AMP)  After the resurection, just before He returned to heaven, Jesus let His disciples know that they would not always know God's timing. “He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.” (Acts 1:7 AMP) We may not always know when, but the time has already been set by God.

 So with Jesus as our example, we can trust in God's perfect time. “My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hands of my foes and those who pursue me and persecute me.” (Psalm 31:15 AMP) This is a statement of true trust. We must continue to trust even when the proper time for a breakthrough from problems or a dream in our heart is delayed beyond our expectations. Then we must remind ourselves, “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 AMP) If we begin to become impatient with the wait, we have a precious promise of what God intends for each of us. “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (Ephesians 2:10 AMP) His plans and timing are perfect.

So don't jump in before conditions are correctly set in place. With patience we can run with the proper plan and timing of God.