faith in timing



The sentiment in this image challenges me at a deep level. I think that we all feel that we are captains of our destiny and in control of our lives. Yet life often does not happen according to our plans and timing. Hear what I think about some of the things that folks have said about this idea of timing ...

“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.” (Stacey Charter)

I struggle with the idea that things will happen if we just have patience because sometimes patience has nothing to do with the things we want. Sometimes we wait to simply discern God's will. Sometimes waiting is about inner change.

“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.” (Gloria Naylor)

I love this perspective on timing. With children especially it is so hard to consider God's timing in the development of their character. Trusting God in this area can be so difficult. We all want to save our kids and our friends from pain.

“You cannot afford to wait for perfect conditions. Goal setting is often a matter of balancing timing against available resources. Opportunities are easily lost while waiting for perfect conditions.” (Gary Ryan Blair)

It is funny how we can use the idea of timing to advance the cause of procrastination.

“Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing.” (Warren Spahn)

This reminds me that great timing for one can be bad timing for another. Sensing the speed and arc of the proverbial pitch is what life is sometimes all about. And we cannot hit the homer if we do not take a swing.

“The timing of death, like the ending of a story, gives a changed meaning to what preceded it.”
(Mary Catherine Bateson)


My 43 year old niece died in October 2011. It reminded me that my wife Ellen also died when she was 43. Sometimes the timing of death makes absolutely no sense. Faith in God's timing is tested most in these times.


... I first published this in April 2012.

13 comments:

  1. In reading this, I am reminded of Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
    That is a tough teaching, but one that illuminates God's complete control. We don't always like the thought that we are not in control, but such events illustrate the reality of it.
    Yesterday, we moved Grandpa out into a nursing home. He is over 80, and how he has managed to survive the past 10+ years with only 23% use of his heart is beyond understanding. He has finally reached a point where we cannot provide sufficient care for him at home.
    He has outived many family members who were in much better health. And it further illustrates how God is in control and we are not. And as a worshipper of Him, I am okay with that.

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    1. Tough teaching for sure Don. As a worshipper I am also okay with that. But then again I am not being moved to a nursing home. Perhaps our perspective on these things is a bit more relative to our situation than we want to admit to?

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  2. I have found that God often asks me to not only trust his timing, but also just to trust him, because even in his timing things usually happen a whole lot different than what I would plan.

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    1. Thanks Fred. Perhaps we only need to trust God when things happen differently than the way that we planned them?

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  3. On a positive note...I believe one of God's greatest Miracles is "Timing"...as Esther said..."For such a time as this". I've seen God's timing in so many ways in our life and ministry. In the difficult times it's harder to see, but hindsight, reveals just how perfect God's timing always is.

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    1. I can see God's timing when I look back too Wanda. Perhaps we can only see it when we look back? Of course I can also see examples of bad timing when I look back too - perhaps in those I have to trust that I will one day be able to look back and see it differently?

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  4. I am always amazed how God never does things how I want them at the time I want them. But He always proves to be right in the end.

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    1. I understand what you are saying Mike but I do wonder if perhaps God has done some things how you want them at the time you want them. :)

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  5. This is fabulous. And so very true. I often say I wish I had a watch which ran on God's time, but really, I wouldn't be growing if I were constantly just waiting for the time to tick away - not really much living either. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks for the comment and the encouragement "Wife Goes On"!

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  6. I have read and reread this post. There is much to chew on.
    I think we have a difficult time, in our human minds, to realize that we haven't a clue how to think as God would think or do things in His timing. I guess we (I) sometimes feel the world revolves around me and I am somehow in control...

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