Timing Is Important

Timing is not everything, but it is important. Timing is the last element of a phrase I heard while in prayer a few weeks ago.

“Hope deferred is our lack of recognizing God’s will, ways, and timing.” 

Let’s dive in to the last part of the phrase that deals with timing.

Timing is not one dimensional.

Timing is not only about the Chronological time that we live by on our watches and clocks. There are also the dimensions and aspects of time. Some others are the cyclical seasons related to the earth moving around the sun. Then there are other seasons, like Solomon points out. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 is followed by seven more verses expanding the following idea: “For everything there is a season,  a time for every activity under heaven.” Please check out the rest.

Time in relation to eternity is also an area to consider. Because we are created beings, created in the image of God, we are also eternal beings. We live in created time, like the examples above, but that does not completely tie us to Chronological time. We have an innate longing for eternity. In a way, we always live in the two dimensions of time and eternity.

I suspect that longing connects us to Kairos time. Webster’s defines Kairos as, “a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action : the opportune and decisive moment.”

I believe this is the timing that is referred to in the phrase I heard. We may know God’s will, and be mature in His ways, but the timing part is often very nuanced. It is knowing when conditions are right, and that includes timing. Our part of this process is often far more about simply recognizing the Kairos moment than making it happen. That said, there are times that we, or our actions, may be the “missing piece” to accomplish a crucial action. Recognizing that timing is important.

One of my favorite personal prayers is, “Abba, help me know ‘it’ when I see ‘it.’” That is recognition. That sight may be physical, emotional or spiritual. To discern Kairos time, it is helpful to understand the other kinds of time as well as God’s will, and ways.

When we cannot recognize Abba’s Kairos/timing, we are more apt to be out of sync with His will and ways. This can lead to missed opportunities, and finding ourselves facing our hope deferred. But when elements come together, they enable us to walk more closely with our God.

Though we are no longer in the original garden, we who know Jesus of Nazareth are closer because the Holy Spirit lives inside us. As we mature in relationship with our Creator, by learning His will, ways, and timing, we are drawn back closer to the original design of the eternal Tree of Life. 

Abba, thank you for being more interested in us recognizing your will, ways and timing than we are! Grant us the grace and perseverance to seek them out. Amen

P.S. As I was typing that short prayer, in my mind’s eye I saw God, ready and delighted to surprise us with good things every time we make an effort to seek Him. It reminded me of playing hide and seek with my grandson earlier this week. There were many squeals of joy and delight from both the seeker and the sought.