Timing

Timing. The ability to select the precise moment of doing something for optimum effect. This is something we humans think we have a grasp of. However, it's God who has the real mastery of timing. His plans account for every little detail, and contain the most precise of timings, so as to achieve the best possible effect in your life at that moment. You could say He's the Time Lord. So what about when the effect seems bad? Is that God's timing too? Let's find out...

Bad things do happen. And when they do, we question whether God cares. But you see, God let those things happen. They are in His control and timing too. If something "bad" happens in your life, God will use it for good. Somehow when you get through all of it, you'll be more like Jesus. And ultimately, that's the best good that come out of any situation: that you be conformed to the image of His Son.

In practical application, this means that you have to let God stay in control of timing. Of course, you still have to act when He tells you, but you don't go ahead or fall behind the timing that God has for you, you follow it as closely as possible. When you do, God works things out in His timing, resulting in the best for your life.

To quote my favorite movie of all time, Pacific Rim, "I never did have good timing." Timing requires patience. And patience... wasn't exactly my strong suite growing up. After I started Bible college back in 2009, God pegged me on it, and I've been growing in my patience ever since. He's done it through a series of things I constantly have to wait on Him for, but in the end His timing has always been best.

Earlier this year I wrote a little poem about timing, from the perspective of a captain voyaging at sea. I'll let it do the explaining first:

A ship at sea, tossed by storms,

The captain me, his hope forlorn.

Followed God, this captain did,

But feared the storms might do him in.

So fearing end had come at last,

The captain climbed atop the mast.

But what he saw, made hope take flight,

For far away, there was a light.

His hope restored, his face a grin,

The captain did climb down again.

The storm raged on, but captain fought,

To the reach the shore for which he sought.

I wrote this back in January, not knowing exactly what God had in store for me. I knew there was something ahead I was sailing for (the light) and the shore that it stood on, but I didn't know what it was. It never got any closer, not until I realized I wasn't supposed to be the captain, God was. So during that storm, I chose to step down, and let God be the captain from then on. It was then that I found myself at the shore I sought, and I wrote this poem:

Not long ago

I was a foe

To the ways of God and His Son.

For I took control,

Took the helm of my soul,

So that I could go find "the one."

It was not long before

I crashed on a shore

My plans dashed against many rocks.

But in this sad hour

In shone God's power;

His words there in my thoughts.

"I have a plan,

But you must understand,

I must be the one in control."

So I made a change,

My life rearranged:

God would captain my soul.

We sailed for awhile,

Then came to an isle,

Weighed anchor, then went ashore.

And there on the sand

I saw God's great plan,

And I truly could not wish for more.

God's plan + God's timing = best result. I know it, and I've experienced it. Let God be the one in control, both of your destiny and your timing!

Godspeed,

- Jason