Time, time, time….

 

Time is an issue for all of us. There never seems to be enough of it in today’s modern world. Society as a whole is very rushed. It teaches us to hurry and doesn’t teach us much, if anything, about how to be patient. On a more individual note, have you ever thought: “This couldn’t have happened at a worse time!” or “I really don’t need this, at this time, on top of everything else!” I have thought both – on many occasions.

 

Last December, when I heard my Dad had suddenly and rapidly declined and may not last the rest of the day, I strongly felt that this was the “wrong” time, and he “couldn’t” die just then, because I was convinced that I wasn’t ready for it at this point in my life. In fact, even prior to this, I asked God to spare Dad’s life for a while longer, so as to give us more time together here on earth, and to prepare me more for his eventual passing. However, God’s ways are not our ways – Isaiah 55: 8-9.

 

As many of you know, my dad did pass away that night. Of course, I felt raw and heartbroken, and there is nothing wrong with us feeling this way at times like these. But without taking anything away from how hard it is to lose someone we love, God knew when the time would be right for my dad to leave this life. I didn’t. God sees the full picture – we don’t. Sooner than I expected, I found this comforting.

 

Even with the most advanced technology we have, God’s knowledge and understanding will always be far, far greater than ours. Nothing takes God by surprise! What does the Bible have to say about time?

 

Psalm 139:4 – God knows every word we will say before we say it.

 

Psalm 139:15-16 – God saw each one of us completely before we were born, and he, in his infinite wisdom, knew and planned all our days before our lives even began!

 

John 7:6, 7:30, 8:20 & 12:23 – Jesus knew when his time would come to be arrested, crucified, and then glorified.

 

Twice John tells us that Jesus’ enemies were unable to seize him until “his hour had come.” God would not let anything at all happen until the time was right! As horrific, unfair, and sad as Jesus’ death was, the story didn’t end there – it ended up paving the way for the greatest victory in human history!

 

What has happened to you at a time you felt was “off”, “inconvenient”, or just plain upsetting? A bereavement? Redundancy? Illness? Being let down by someone? Perhaps even a mistake you made that frustrated you?

 

Acts 17:26 – When God created us, he appointed the times we would live, and where each area of land would be.

 

Ephesians 1:4 – God chose each of us – you and me – before the creation of the world!

 

1 Peter 1:20 – “He [Jesus] was chosen before the creation of the world…but was revealed in these times for your sake.”

 

I don’t think I can do justice with words to these verses. They are simply astounding. God’s infinite knowledge, understanding, and perfect timing are too much for us to fully comprehend. Even without always knowing the reason why certain sad or difficult things happen, we can take comfort in knowing that not only are we not on this earth by accident or through “luck”, but rather all our days are known and planned by God.

 

Today’s “hurry up” culture makes it easy, if we allow it, to be impatient with God. 2 Peter 3:8-9 tells us how God does not count time the way we do, and that what we may see as his “slowness” is a case of God being patient and long-suffering rather than lax or lazy. When we feel overwhelmed, confused, or distressed with the timing of our circumstances, or those of others around us or in the world at large, let us remember that it is all in the hands of our Heavenly Father, who knows what he is doing.

 

Reflection by Linda Pirie