Waiting for ‘the right time’

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6
 
Season’s Greetings!
Just the other day, as I was at a stop sign, I happened to look at the odometer of my truck and it read 111,111. I thought to myself, “what are the odds that I would look down at just the right time to see my truck read this number?” I rarely pay attention to how many miles are on my vehicles other than to see when they might be due for an oil change. Now, this number is not an anomaly by any means, just needed to be the exact right timing for me to see it. I don’t recall looking down to see when it was at 99,999 or 88,888…you get the idea.
There are so many instances in life that timing has to be absolutely perfect in order for things to happen. We don’t witness an abundance of shooting stars in our life. You need to be looking up at the right time, to be outdoors at the right time, to be looking in the right direction.
Or like the old saying “if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound”? Think about it, how many times have you been in the woods to see or hear this happen? The timing needed to be just right. You needed to be in the right place at the right time.
You have likely thought about the timing needing to be right to: ask your girlfriend to marry you, start a business, take a new job, try for children and the list goes on.
As a congregation, we have been exploring our way through the book of Romans. Paul has such a fantastic way of reaching the Romans, to remind them that we are all sinners, our need for God’s love and that we have a whole new life when we bind ourselves to Jesus Christ. I love how he writes in chapter 5, verse 6 that “at just the right time…Christ died for the ungodly.” But what always fascinates me about the reality of this verse is that it was done “while we were still powerless.” You see, Christ Jesus died for us at “just the right time.” He knew it needed to be at a time in which “we were still powerless” so that we could witness the true glory that is found in such a sacrifice.
Psalm 37:7 says “Be still before the Lord and wait PATIENTLY for Him.” Paul also writes in Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Right now, I imagine for most of you reading this, you are likely waiting on at least one thing in your life. A call about a job, feedback from your doctor about your latest biopsy, a positive pregnancy test, and the list goes on. Just know that “at the right time” He will bring you answers. He knows just what you need and when you need it.
In the meantime, don’t overwhelm yourself by looking too hard for “a sign” or for His answers to come according to your time, He knows when you need the blessing. He will guide you through this time as you wait, even if it means there is darkness for a while. “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7). Continue to give Him glory and honor and deepen your relationship with Him. He is such a good God.
Love you,
Pastor Pete