God's Time

After round 3 of my sermon last night, I came home for a 9 PM dinner. I'd worked 11 hours with no break. As usual, my body revolted. At 5 AM, I was hugging the porcelain throne like a champ. Why is it that I always get sick this time of year? Maybe it's because if I don't take a break, my body will. It was like God was whispering to me this morning as I sat on the cold bathroom floor in agony, "Amy, everything will get done . . . on my time and not yours."

God's people felt like this a lot. Abram was tired of waiting for his promised child with Sarai, so he created a child with Hagar instead. That situation didn't turn out well. Later in God's story, the Israelites also complain about God's sense of time. They had just escaped slavery in Egypt, miraculously crossing through the Red Sea, and they began complaining to Moses about not having food. "God, isn't it about time that you fed us? We were treated better in Egypt!" On the other hand, sometimes it seems God works too quickly. Mary and Joseph were engaged, intending to get married. Then, all of a sudden, this 14 year old girl is told by an angel that she is pregnant with the Christ child. If I were Mary, I think my response would have been something like, "Um, God, that's great!! But . . . NOW? This isn't a good time."

That's how I felt this morning. "God, you've taught me a lot recently that I'm not in control. Do I need another lesson right now? This isn't a good time considering all there is to do at church." I'm human. I live in a world bound by time; but God existed before time. He does what he wants when he wants to. He's in control whether I'm waiting for his next move or surprised and smacked in the face (in this case, in the stomach) with the new thing God is doing.

What's God up to on the OBX? I'm not totally sure yet, but I know it will be on God's time and not ours. Lord, help us walk in your time, in your rhythm. Help us give up control of our schedules, following you faithfully every day. And help us keep our eyes and hearts open so that when you do make a move, we will respond like Mary when she heard she would be the mother of Christ: "My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!" (Luke 2:46-47)