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 resurrection, 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, do not jump in before
conditions are correctly set in place. With patience, we can run with the
proper plan and timing of God.
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