Keeping Time

Have you ever been given explicit instructions to fulfill an assignment and still feel so lost? Others can be working all around you and yet you still feel alone, confused, and unaware of where to go or what to do next.

It happened to me this morning. I knew the assignment, I knew where to show up, I even knew what time to be there…but, I arrived earlier than I was scheduled to. If only I had waited in my vehicle for another 20 minutes or so, I would not have felt so out of place and confused.

(Area in Downtown Baltimore I worked in today)

It is amazing how important timing is. I know people who are never on time, some who are never early, and some who never even bother to show up.  So many of our critical moments are found on this journey when our timing aligns with God’s.

I immediately began to think about the prodigal son. He didn’t want to wait around for his father to die to get his inheritance…..he simply wanted it now. The fall of the prodigal son began in the exact moment he claimed his rights. The moral of the story is he got what he wanted…but he lost what he had.
 He lost what he had because he wanted to rush the timing. He got off track when he claimed his rights…but he was found when he surrendered them. Every desire the wandering son hoped to find in that far country - he discovered back home. It was finally the right time.

And at the right time this morning, those who were in authority arrived and began organizing the teams. When all was said and done, the event was highly complimented for its organization and professionalism.  How great things can become when the timing is right.

Don’t feel the pressure or even the obligation to ‘rush’ your process. You may look around and notice how others seem to be excelling and you appear to be falling behind. But you will only get lost in selfish desires if you don’t surrender your right to be in charge.

(Ever feel like the 'lone' cow - always late to dinner?) (Forest Hill, MD)

 You’ve got to go from a give me attitude to a make me attitude. That choice will put you consistently in a better position to align your timing with His.

Ephesians 1:10-11 says, “And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.” (NLT)