God’s timing has never failed to amaze me…
There are so many events and instances in life that could be attributed as being “lucky” or declared as things that “just happened.” There have been times in my life when I thought I was going to be dead or that I should’ve died. I’m talking about things like car accidents, almost drowning, near falls and near misses—and I wondered how I managed to get out of danger.
I’ll tell you why. God had a hand in it.
Many things that happen in our lives seem coincidental or we cannot find a rhyme or reason for the things that go right or go wrong in our lives. If we are trusting in God’s plan for us and if we pay attention to the details, we will often find that when we are in tune with where He wants us to be, we get in our lives what He desires for us. God can protect us from unforeseen circumstances that may put us in harm’s way, or he may let us extend ourselves a bit more to help us realize where we are about to fall.
Many times it becomes an occurrence in our lives when we ask God: “Why God?” or “Why now God?” or “God, what took so long?” We wonder about his timing for us in all the things that we face but in the end, there’s one thing we cannot discount or put a finger on.
It is because He knew. He knows a lot about everything from before we were born until the day he knows we will ultimately die the first physical death.
Luke 12:7: “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Yes. God’s timing. Can anyone relate to that? Can you think of an occurrence or an event in your life where the hand of God had kept you safe? Can you think of a close call that not just kept you from harm or dying but even put you in a position where you might’ve been spared from an everyday life incident that could’ve turned out differently? Can you think of a time in your life where something told you that what you were about to embark upon gave you that odd feeling of not being right?
We often find that many times that certain people come into our lives for a reason and others that we meet are kept away. Often times we think of what a blessing someone has been to us at an opportune time and how things worked out well to have the person who was needed at that time. Why? It is because there is a reason for anything that happens at a perfect time when we reflect on it. He knew!
Many times throughout our working careers we’ve been given opportunities for jobs in other places. There are many times we contemplate a move when we feel everything is right about the move but due to our situation or how it would ultimately affect our family and their future, something puts us on hold.
Many times there may be an obstacle or an event that could change our lives negatively by uprooting our spouses from their work or our children away from their school and their friends. We may be in for unforeseen consequences that God knew all along, situations that we did not see coming. Last but not least, there may be a reason we are staying right where we are in our home church and church family as well.
But this is not always the case. Before I came to Jesus and asked him into my life, I moved due to my airline job. At the time, I could not figure out any reason why I should move other than I needed the job and it was one of a few places that my work was being relocated. Reluctantly, I still went on with it, and it turned out to be a very good move.
Not just financially. Not just because that is where I met my wife. Not just because of the people I’ve met. Not just because it allowed me the opportunity to elevate my life in many ways. More important, it wound up being where eventually, a sinner in need of the Savior had the timing of deep convictions, and later the right people put into my life that helped bring about that life changing event. Again, it is because He knew.
When it comes to spreading the message of the gospel, God may keep us where we are if we listen to the guidance the Holy Spirit puts on our hearts. But on the other hand, we may wind-up where we are needed elsewhere, where we can have the potential to further his kingdom.
It could very well be a missionary calling. Praise to the men and women who take their families far and wide to all parts of the world on the forefront of carrying out the Word of the gospel. That commitment is awesome and they are a blessing to us all. When it is all said and done, we will know that there was a reason why God chose select people to effectively go far and wide, and why others were meant to stay and do his work right where they are. It’s because He knew!
Take the time and count your blessings knowing that God has had your back through good times and bad. There is yet a further calling and purpose in everyone’s life. If we pay attention, the sense of knowing that God is trying to tell us something may hit us directly on the head, or we may receive subtle hints at other times. Open your mind and heart and be receptive.
If you are not saved and have not asked the Lord Jesus Christ into your life and accepted the precious gift of eternal life through Him — and you’ve been thinking about it, do it today. Tomorrow may not come to give you another chance.
As you begin to grow and learn the things of God you will come to know the intricate path of events in your life that brought you to where you are now. You will begin to recognize more clearly what God’s intended purpose and fulfillment is for your life. Your eyes will be opened to a sense of knowing, and to a calling greater than you ever imagined.
Let yourself go and let God do that work in you. It may not be as grand a scale as you anticipated but embrace it and accept it. He will always bring fulfillment and move you to new levels as He knows what you’re capable of. He has a plan for your life if you let Him fill you with the desires He wishes for you.
Then one day, you will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ, and when He gives you that sense of knowing that you are where you are supposed to be, you will say, “Lord, you knew all along”…
For His glory….
Edward A. Dedloff
Contact: jhp230gr45@verizon.net