Is it any wonder that the mechanism of God’s timing is consistently incomprehensible to a civilization that is focused on immediate results? We live in a world driven by expeditious expectations. It shouldn’t astonish us then, when God’s methodologies and schedule don’t align with our perspectives and presuppositions. The prophet Isaiah writes in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'”
Today’s culture has frequently been referred to as the instant gratification generation. It is exemplified by fast paced lifestyles and a desire for instant rewards. Rather than building their dream, much of society prefers to borrow the money and buy it. Gone are the days of humble beginnings and the accumulation of prosperity over a lifetime.
In an environment characterized by high-speed internet, quick response social media, online shopping with overnight delivery, news on demand and fast foods that condition people to expect immediate satisfaction, it is no surprise that many have grown impatient. Long term relationships aren’t prioritized and tolerance has become rare in a culture that claims to value it. When we allow the need for speed to shape our perspective we lose focus on the things that really matter. Families suffer, relationships suffer and anxiety increases. People seldom take time for daily prayer and meditation.
GOD IS NOT RESTRICTED BY TIME
God is not restricted by time, space and matter and a chronological continuum cannot be applied to His purpose. He is far greater that the lifespans of many generations and His purposes transcend the barriers of human concepts of time. The Bible says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8).
When you consider that Joseph was seventeen years old when his brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:2); that he was thirty years old when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and entered into service of the king of Egypt (Genesis 41:46); and approximately nine years later (after seven years of plenty followed and two years of famine) his family came to Egypt in search of food (Genesis 42:6-7), God’s purpose for establishing Jacob’s descendants in Egypt took nearly a generation to accomplish and it wasn’t apparent from the beginning. Joseph told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20).
God’s plans for the Israelites took even longer in order to release the people from bondage in Egypt and enter the promised land. Moses was forty years old he murdered an Egyptian and consequently fled to Midian (Acts 7:23-29). Forty years later he encountered God who spoke to him from the burning bush (Acts 7:30-33), and the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty more years before entering the promised land (Numbers 32:13; Joshua 5:6). Through it all. the Israelites became purified to the point of fully trusting God before entering the promised land where they would require spiritual strength to face adversity.
King David was a youth when he killed Goliath, thirty years old when he became king and he reigned for forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). As Israel’s second king, he consolidated the twelve tribes, expanded the kingdom’s borders and established Jerusalem as the nation’s religious and political center. God’s call on David’s life took 70 years to bring to completion. He was instrumental in establishing the royal ancestry of Jesus and solidified the dynasty that would one day result in salvation for all nations a thousand years later.
The apostle Paul was raised as a Pharisee, studied under the renowned Gamaliel and was around thirty years old when Jesus was crucified. His upbringing and education provided the exact skillset that enabled him to be such an effective Christian apologist after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). His ministry ignited the flames of the church and he wrote nearly half of the New Testament before his death around AD 64. Paul’s testimony resonates two thousand years later that broken people can be used for God’s divine purposes.
GOD DEVELOPS PEOPLE OVER TIME
Even Jesus did not begin his earthly ministry until he was thirty years old. Care was taken to prepare Christ for His calling which demonstrates how our Creator is consistent in how He calls people to administer His plans. He connects the dots, crosses the t’s and dots the i’s so that no loophole remains before proceeding with His agenda. In the same manner that fruit requires time to grow and ripen before it can be harvested, God develops people over time to empower them to carry out His purpose for their lives and He never rushes His timeline. He is methodical and purposeful in His actions.
The Lord is sovereign and in control. He is trustworthy and and His agenda is unfailing. Isaiah 46:10 discloses, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'”
Jesus said, “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2). The unproductive and counterproductive areas of our lives must be eliminated so that we can yield a harvest for our Maker. Additionally, before God entrusts us with large ministries, He often presents us with small tasks that serve as a proving ground to demonstrate our commitment and faith.
Paul writes in Romans 5:3-5 that we are not limited to celebrating God’s grace but rejoice through trials. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
TRIALS PRODUCE PERSEVERENCE
Over the last two millennia the Lord has called a great many people into ministry and their unique stories often include rocky paths of preparation that precede prolific seasons of obedience. These trials produce perseverance that strengthens one’s faith to endure the challenges ministry inevitably presents.
James 1:2-4 teaches us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
God uses trials to provide us with the opportunity to trust Him. Trials keep us humble. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.”
Hardship often builds character that manifests as resilience, patience, humility, empathy, wisdom and compassion. In the same manner that physical resistance training builds physical strength and endurance, experiencing adversity can foster fortitude.
MY OWN STRUGGLES
When I reflect on my own struggles with being bullied at work and the negative effects on my mental health and well being that led to excessive drinking and a suicide attempt, the darkness I lived through led to my cry out to God. Furthermore, the fallout from that trauma was the impetus that prepared me to walk into prisons and provide spiritual guidance to inmates in their despair. The grace Christ provided through redemption initiated my progressive journey to full time ministry.
It took ten years to navigate the narrow path chosen for me that would prepare me for my calling. Through it all I hung onto Jesus with two tightly clenched fists that brought about obedience to the Holy Spirit and steadfast commitment to my Savior. I gained an appreciation for seniors living in long term care when my parents became permanent residents of a nursing home and this experience led me directly into the role as a missionary to seniors in long-term care in my city. The Lord has orchestrated my steps to lead me to this pivotal point. To serve Him wholly and completely. And this mission is just beginning.
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” (James 5:7-8). As God is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), may we discern an appreciation of His far-sightedness and reject the near sightedness of today’s society.
The current culture’s obsession with instant gratification has left people susceptible to anxiety and stress associated with trending values and viral opinions. The preoccupation with urgent timelines promoted by climate narratives, the pressing desire for world peace and immediate satisfaction makes God’s timing inconceivable to much of civilization today.
The sense of urgency that time is running out is best channeled into biblical perspectives. Jesus is coming soon. Today is the day of salvation because no one is guaranteed tomorrow. When God’s timing becomes our timing then we can be in alignment with the Holy Spirit and in step with Him. And that is the most gratifying perspective one can have.
