Mar 27 - "God's Time"

"Jesus said to them, 'My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify against it that its works are evil...'" --- John 7:1-13 ********************

"Patience is a virtue." How many times did I hear that while I was growing up?

We are an impatient people. Every day we are trying to find ways to make things faster, more efficient, happen sooner. Technology is a significant enabler and burden associated with this impatience. Remember when you would have to write (not type) a letter, put it in an envelope, stamp and address it, put it in the mail...then wait for a response from the other person days or weeks later? Today, when we send an email to someone, we can become frustrated when they don't respond that same hour or same day. "What's taking so long?!?", we ask ourselves.

Similarly, we not only want it faster, but we want more of it. We make plans on how to bring the things we want to us in abundance. We structure our lives around how we can achieve Our Plans. More money this year, not next. Lose weight in 2 weeks...not 2 months. The bigger house, nicer car, more extravagant vacations, now, now, now!

What's so amazing to me about this story from Jesus' life is that, even with something as seemingly trivial as having patience, He has it perfectly...as He did in all things. He has the power of the universe at His fingertips. All God's army of angels are at His disposal. He has to but speak the word and mountains would crumble, enemies would fall. But He knows that God has a plan. He knows that all things will come in the time which God has appointed and not one moment before. He tells His disciples "don't rush things". Although He is now a wanted man and He knows He will eventually go into Jerusalem for His trial and crucifixion; now is not yet the time.

When I think about all of the times in my life where I have wanted something to happen based on my calendar, based on when I think that thing should occur...and it did not occur as I wanted it to...I realize how blessed I am that God does not let me have my way. Think about all of the things we pray for, hope for and desire. We look at the world and our lives through the lens of this moment. God sees things through the lens of eternity. How can we think that our plans are better than His?

So, dear friends, let us have patience. The Lord says, "Be still and know that I am God!". Realize that we get "our way" when we align ourselves with God's plan for each of us and that His plan, the gifts and blessings He has in store for us, are greater than we can ask for or imagine.