I was in the right place at the right time.

We’ve probably all heard or used that expression at least once. We use it to describe when everything seems to align and work out in our favor in a given situation. We can’t explain how it all came together, but we’re sure grateful it did.

But how often are we in the right place at the right time?

I’m much more likely to feel as if I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time. You miss out on the last of something at a store or restaurant. You get stuck in traffic even though you left early. The list can be endless.

It’s frustrating when we feel ready for something: a new job, home, etc. and it’s just not happening. We’re not being idle, sitting around doing nothing. We’re being active. We’re submitting resumes or filling out applications, for example. We’re qualified; we’re prepared. But still nothing’s moving forward.

My favorite time is now o’clock.

Patience is not my strongest quality. When I’m ready to make a move (which doesn’t usually happen quickly or often), I want to make that move right away. I figure if I’m ready then it must be time. Wrong.

Just because we may be ready, doesn’t mean our situation is.

I’ve been trying to relocate for over a year. True story. I had several personal and professional situations that put a temporary hold on this move. I was recently released from the last of these obligations. I, naturally, believed my new home would show up in my search the next day and I’d be moved in before Thanksgiving. (Spoiler alert: as of this writing, this seems highly unlikely, but I do believe in miracles, so…)

Gratefully, I have some wonderful friends who help ground me. One of these lovely ladies pointed out the very real possibility that just because I believe I’m ready, doesn’t mean the location is. There are always a lot of components, variables and moving parts involved that should be considered. This is where faith and trust in God needs to arise.

If I believe in a God in heaven who loves me and desires to bless me, then I need to trust Him. In my case it shouldn’t be a challenge. I have a lifetime of personal evidence of how He helped me find my homes and my jobs. I would do my part and then believe He had the matter well in hand. Sure I’d get a bit nervous the longer I had to wait, but He did and has always come through.

Why do I still engage in this game of feeling I know the right time for anything?

It does seem rather silly if you think about it. We only see what we can see, our small microcosm of any situation. We can’t see all sides and all factors. It’s rather presumptuous of us to think we can dictate the timing of things.

Sometimes we’re in such a hurry we may risk getting the right thing at the wrong time. Has this ever happened to you? Let’s use the example of a new car. We’ve wanted one and now we feel ready. We’ve even budgeted for it. We’re good (we think), so we buy the car. Three months later we’re let go from our job and are now having difficulty making our monthly payment. Right thing. Wrong time. We can’t beat ourselves up. We thought the timing was right. But we may have gotten ahead of ourselves and the timing of God.

Does God have a time?

The Creator of the entire universe doesn’t exist within our mortal constraints of time. He did, however, invent it. He is not governed by its limitations as we are. He operates with us in it, but He is always transcendent and above it. (That’s a heavy metaphysical knowledge drop right there.)

You know I always bring my receipts. (Unless otherwise specified, all Bible verses are from biblegateway.com NIV, emphasis added.)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

You may have heard this verse before. God is a God of order. There is a specific time for everything.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

Oh this verse! It gets to me always. But we need this gentle reminder. He’s not like us. We’re to grow in His love and become more like Him, not the other way around. When I’m checking my watch and wondering, “When God? When?” I need to sit back and remember He knows more than me about every situation.

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Does God have a time? Yes. Sometimes it’s now. Other times it’s later. I’m embracing the now time of His favor. How about you? See, if we believe His favor is upon us, then we can perhaps rest a bit more during the waiting.

So, how do we start to align our perspective with His? Check this out:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)

There it is once again: humility. How much better could life be if we would submit more to God’s authority in our lives? But how do we begin? Check this out:

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. (Psalm 130:5)

As difficult as it may be, and though I keep reminding God of how ready I am, I must wait on Him. I know the difference between went and sent. When you’re sent it means God prepared the way for you. It was the right thing in His perfect timing. But if you went, you didn’t go at His direction. You went out of your own reasoning and rationale. It’s not as secure a footing. You are subject to greater trials and struggles because you’re not the Creator and couldn’t possibly foresee the obstacles that might lie ahead. Staying in His Word keeps you in the proper mindset.

I suppose it always comes back to these two things: trust and believe. We must trust He loves us and is genuinely working all things together for our good. We must believe He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or even hope for.

What time is it?

It’s time to trust and believe in the Lord above. He’s got it all worked out. Stay diligent. Stay prepared. Stay in a posture of faith and hope.

Until next time: stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know.

Look forward to hearing from you,

-Kat