Thinking Through the Time vs. Timing Tangle

Time.

Timing.

These concepts often become debate opponents in my heart and mind, especially as I watch a dear child or loved one make choices against their Creator. The tangle is familiar and frustrating.

Understanding the difference between the two is clarifying. Understanding that my heavenly Father handles both is essential. Consider this statement:

God is more interested in timing than in time.

What Is Time?

Time measures events, schedules, or our lives. Time is a tool; it is insensitive, routine, predictable, mechanical.

The Lord has placed us within linear time: nanoseconds, hours, years, millennia. But why has he done that, when he himself exists in eternity? Could this mainly become a context within which I am firmly reminded that I cannot know the future? May it be where I learn to look past my own schemes and be directed simply to trust, to look to the only Person who knows that future?

If, as a believer, I seek to respect and live with a humble awareness of God’s sovereignty, the timetable of his apparent actions will likely be an early point of friction between him and me. I know what I want to see happen in my loved one’s life . . . soon! Now! They are good goals. Why is God’s timing so slow? Why would God not be of the same mind and schedule? Satan can easily use this time-oriented, impatience-motivated pattern of thinking to turn me away from implicitly trusting the One who has perfect plans. Be careful at this crossroads!

What IsTiming?

Timing suggests a plan: priority, sequence, development, goal. Timing requires an Originator, an Agent; it is intentional, purposeful, and tailored.

The whole of Scripture demonstrates a massive plan, encompassing all earthly, human history, through which God is bringing himself ultimate glory. This plan stretches from eternity-past to eternity-future and includes a surprising variety of puzzle pieces, of both good and evil. As I watch, God continues to assemble the puzzle. God’s timing and plan are governed only by him, regardless of how much time elapses. Therefore, I may need to rearrange some of my thinking . . . and praying.

How Does Trusting God’s Timing Help Me?

I cannot know the future. God is the only one with the wisdom and power to make or carry out a perfect and redemptive plan in the life of my child or loved one. Is my timing really better than anything God could arrange?

So, I will be wise to focus on him—who he is and what my relationship to him should be—instead of trying to implement my scenario of the future. Also, I must remember that, as a finite creature, I am incapable of fully knowing or evaluating my Father’s plans and actions.

Actually, Scripture says that my timing and plans have very little chance of matching God’s timing and plans.  “Who has known the mind of God or who has been his counselor?” (Rom. 11:33). As I cultivate the attitude of 1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God,” I will probably see some remarkable changes in my outlook.

• I will find peace as I build a prayer ministry for my loved one.

The recipe for peace is found in the recipe for prayer in Philippians 4:5–7:

The Lord is at hand. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Notice that God does not ask me to supply directions or a timetable. I am urged only to pray faithfully and to be thankful—thankful for the Lord’s presence and for what he has done, is doing, or will do. I will pray for the needs, without guessing at or dictating what his answer will be. I know that whatever it is, his answer will be perfect.

• I will find that waiting times are God’s useful gifts.

If I really believe that “My times are in your hand” (Ps. 31:15), then I will be assured that waiting times are purposeful. “Wait” is a frequent, though perhaps not welcome, admonition in Scripture. As within the account of the exodus or of the coming of Christ, it’s clear that God is arranging many, many contingent elements of the puzzle. Literally, it takes time for him to complete his perfect scenario.

The Lord also gives me much to do while I’m waiting. I am to spend that time getting to know him better. “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). I can also use it to build my spiritual health. “Wait for the Lord! Be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Ps. 27:14). I will be wise to ask him to help me be a good student—to trust God’s timing and to learn what strong, courageous waiting looks like.

God is more interested in timing than he is in time.

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” (Psalm 130:5)