Timing On My Part Is Everything

In review of Ecclesiastes 8:6 it tells me “There is a right time and a right way to do everything, but we know so little” (GNT).

Wisdom is the ability to see life from God's perspective and then to know the best course of action to take. Wisdom is a valuable asset, it is acquired from what Proverbs 9:10 teaches, that the fear of the Lord (respect and honor for him) is the beginning and foundation of wisdom. Wisdom comes from knowing and trusting God. Knowing God will lead me to understanding and then to sharing this knowledge with others. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 

As I look ahead to the start of a new year, now is a good time for me to reflect on my life. What needs to stay the same? What needs to change?

One of the most important things to consider is how I can stay tuned in to God’s timing. Every great accomplishment involves timing. A successful football catch requires incredible timing between quarterback and receiver. In business, good timing in the market, particularly decisions about hiring and expanding, can mean everything. 

As mentioned in the first chapter of the book by Rick Warren, “The Purpose Driven Church.” Rick compares leadership to surfing. No surfer says, “Let’s go make some waves today.” Surfers can’t create waves in the ocean. Only God can do that. Surfers wait for the waves that God creates.

That means surfers spend a lot of time waiting. Sometimes they might see a wave and let it go, knowing it’s not the right time. Then the surfer sees just the right wave, starts paddling faster and faster, catches the wave, rides the wave, and gets off the wave without wiping out. Surfing looks easy, but in reality it requires a lot of skills.

The same can be true in life. I need to develop the skill of timing. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 8:6, “There is a right time and there is a right way to do everything, but we know so little” (GNT).

There’s a rhythm to life. Learning to do the right thing at the right time takes skill. Christ followers often call that skill “walking in the Spirit.” The more I grow as a follower of Christ, the better I get at walking in the Spirit. Sometimes God’s Spirit will lead me to run fast. Sometimes he will lead me to walk slowly. The key will be to look at when God wants me to speed up and when he might want me to slow down. 

So, I can enter the new year trying to making my own waves. Or I can learn to see and catch the waves God is making all around me.

In summary, there is a right time and a right way to do everything, however I know so little. Wisdom is the ability to see life from God's perspective and then knowing the best course of action to take. Proverbs 9:10 teaches me that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. As I look ahead to this new year, I need to consider what should stay the same and what should be changed? The key is to stay tuned into God's timing. In surfing, you can't create your own waves, only God can do that. So like a surfer, I'll spend time waiting for the right wave. I need to develop the skill of timing. Sometimes the Spirit will lead me to run fast and sometimes slow. I'll need to learn when God wants me to speed up and when he may want me to slow down. I can enter this new year trying to make my own waves, or I can learn to see and catch the waves God is making around me.

Today’s verse is encouragement for me to wait for God’s timing on things. I really like the analogy that I can’t create my own waves, I need to learn the ones God is making. I pray this morning Father that you help me with this perspective, especially after being away for a few weeks from work. Help me to not be discouraged by work demands and deadlines. Also help me as I come underneath new leadership and direction. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. Help me to be one who serves and loves you. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen.