Written by Cara Brock
It’s not that I haven’t wanted to blog, it’s that I haven’t been hit with inspiration. Because I want my words to maintain some value, I cannot force myself to churn out entries if I’m not passionate about their substances. This sounds much nicer than ‘I was too busy marathoning British TV shows to write about reality’ – which is true – but also not entirely so. In my mind topics would swell then dissipate, but none stayed to marinate. Until this evening during my semi-annual shower. In this 500 degree water box of cleanliness, the idea came and the timing was right. I was to simply write about just that, timing.
All of us temporary residents of planet Earth are subjected to something over which none of us have complete control. Timing. Sure you can leave early for a meeting [I, as the Queen of Punctuality, will leave six hours in advance to all things ever] but that doesn’t guarantee you will arrive on time. You’ll be paradoxically at the hands of countless others who also have no reign over their timetables. Certainly events often fall precisely when you planned, but it is likely they happened that way due to a previously missed opportunity or a delayed reaction.
At this time in my life, I’m clearly learning that I can’t control what happens when the minute and the hour hands are at a 45 degree angle. I can count neither the seconds nor the years until my needs are met. I’ve been done with school for three months and have no idea what employment I’m to seek. I’ve been single for 5 [or so…] years and have no idea if and when I’ll meet my man. Shoot I can’t even control when I’ll get an idea on which to write – seeing as this one hit me at 12:45 AM.
It is key that we learn this and accept it. Opponents will say that the Type-A go-getters prove this false. They know what they want, and they make it happen. Looking at my cousins, the poster children of getting things done, in the past they likely didn’t see themselves in the positions they are in today. We must take things as they come, accept things as they go, and wait for things as they approach. It is essential that we not get frustrated when our explicit schedule is not followed. Everything cannot happen when we decide it must be. We have to allow life to unfold. This week a girl from my high school passed away. She was only 18, college-bound in mere days. Her loss is a very real example of our complete lack of authority over our timing. Those that knew her and loved her surely wish they had more time with her. No one would wish for this to happen at this moment. When this is a real possibility, we must fill our time with value, goodness, and truth, not worry about if we get to bed on time or miss our ‘critical’ deadlines.
I find that lack of control often leads to surplus of comfort. When I have no say over my timetable, I am to fully rely on God and His plans. His timing is perfect, so how can I go wrong? Initial frustration absolutely takes over – how could it not – but when I realize I’m trading in my calendar for the Almighty Lord’s, it’s hard to stay mad. I sought some words of encouragement:
Psalm 27:14 ESV Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Ecclesiastes 8:6 ESV For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven
Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
God knows exactly what He is doing. While it may not seem like His timing in the little things – He did give us free will after all – think about the small moments that led to dramatic events. If I had changed seats in my statistics lab a few minutes earlier, it’s not likely that I would have met my best friend. She’s an inspiring girl whom Jesus wanted in my life, so He had me change seats. Whether in wonderful or devastating events, I have learned the value in trusting Christ’s clock, knowing there is purpose behind it.
This is not to say to throw planning to the wind, to devalue punctuality, or to procrastinate in excess. This is an encouragement to structure your life, but accept when it inevitably changes. A seemingly simple charge becomes incredibly challenging when put to the test. Just remember that when a second passes empty, or a year flies by, the Lord is in control so you may lie in comfort.
