God’s Timing

As I get older, I'm learning that wisdom is not just knowing WHAT to say and do but WHEN to say or do it.  I have often put my foot in my mouth or messed things up by saying something to my wife or kids or co-workers that might be true but said at precisely the wrong time.  As the saying goes, timing is everything.  

I think it's interesting that as God carries out His plan and purpose in the world, He has timing in mind.  He does not operate randomly.  We see this at the end of Mark chapter one.  In verses 33-34, it says, "The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was."  Here, Jesus repeatedly silenced the demons because it was not the right time for His identity to be disclosed.  In verses 37-38, when the disciples told Jesus that everyone had been looking for Him, He said, "Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages-so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."  Jesus had different ideas about what He should be doing at that moment.  So despite the demand for Him in Capernaum, He deliberately left to preach elsewhere.  Finally, in verses 40-44, Jesus healed a man with leprosy and then told him not to tell anyone who healed him.  Verse 45 says, "Instead the man went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places."  It again appears Jesus did not want His identity disclosed until He had openly declared it. 

Jesus had His timing in mind according to God's plan for Him.  I believe God's timing and unfolding plan extends to our lives as well.  Though we may not understand why God does what He does when He does it, we shall someday see that His timing is perfect.  Until then, let us continue to trust in Him.    

God bless,

Pastor Darren