2/2/24
Hey Good Person –
This week’s post is something I wrote for the church newsletter; hope you can (learn to?) smile at the seeming malleability of time, too. (I’ma tryin’, Lord! :))
“For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” (The Bible, Book of Romans, Chapter 8 verse 28)
tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock . . .
Hmmmm . . .
Is time flexible?
Doesn’t it slow down (excruciatingly at times!) while we’re waiting for something – a baby to be born, a contractor to show up, healing from trauma or an ailment, or a child anticipating school to let out?
And then it seems to speed up when we’re not looking, doesn’t it? That baby grows up before you know it, the contractor’s work is now worn out and it’s time to have it redone, seemingly too much time has elapsed while healing, or the little girl thinks she’s only been playing a few minutes when it’s time to do homework.
Are there times you, too, just want to control it? To command it to “Slow down! I’ve missed enough already and I wanna play!” or, “Please dear God, speed up the healing/waiting so I don’t miss out on much more!”
The Bible clearly states that all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called to His purposes, and in HIS perfect timing.
UGH! Why can’t His timing be ours??
But lately I cringe when thinking that because I’m realizing, my timing sucks!
I can keep pushing like Sisyphus (from Greek mythology), only to have what I’m shoving against repeatedly roll back and darn near crush me if I don’t get out of the way fast enough, and then start over again expecting different results. (The definition of insanity. Ahem.)
Yet I know I can’t just sit around and do nothing while expecting God to do all the work.
And I frequently don’t know the ‘how to’ between the two.
That’s one more reason to love God’s Grace: He doesn’t hold our (sometimes intentional!) ignorance and mis-takes against us. He’s ALWAYS here to, well, laugh at our attempts first, I’m sure 🙂 and to lovingly get us back on track when we finally admit we’ve messed up again and sincerely ask for His correction, again.
Dear Heavenly Abba,
Thank You that You know we’re mortal and therefore, imperfect. Thank you for more often laughing at us instead of smiting us as we may deserve at times.
Your Grace is more than sufficient for us, and YOUR timing perfect in spite of our protestations. YOU know when we’re ready. YOU know what it takes to get us there, and YOU do guide us, when we ask and let You.
You do forgive us e-v-e-r-y time we sincerely ask and are willing to make the necessary changes, if imperfectly.
Thank You that You don’t always take us too seriously; help us do the same for ourselves and others. Then we can live in peace, faith, consistent laughter (at self), and in harmony with You.
And WHEW! Won’t that make life lighter, and relaxing!
In Jesus name, AMEN!
