There have been a few times in my life when I had just the right words to say in a situation. There have been times when I was in the right place at the right time. And there have been times when I have worked on a project over an extended period of time and watch as it achieves the goals we had set just at the right time.
Yeah, I know, those times don’t happen all that often, do they?
Of course, my life has also seen just the opposite. Wrong words at the wrong time. Missing the right time and the right place! And planning and working only to see a project simply not make it.
For life, as in comedy, timing is everything.
So, is the right time just a happy coincidence or are there ways to increase hitting the mark in my life?
Well, let’s look at today’s Epistle Lesson. St. Paul is writing to the Church in Galatia and he’s telling them about the timing God used to bring us to freedom and salvation in Christ. He’s teaching them that God’s plan for humanity has always been at just the right time and accomplished in just the right way. His revelation of God’s timing and purpose for our eternal life shows both God’s generosity and His meticulous care for His creation!
St. Paul says “…before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5
Here are three insights into the passage that will give us clues into how to increase our proper timing for our lives.
First is the insight of Revelation. The first step in getting better with the timing of my own life is a realization that I have to trust in God’s plan for my life. I must release my plans and my hopes and dreams into God’s hands and rest in His complete and loving vision for my life. I submit my plans to God. I offer my hopes and dreams to God first because I know He knows my path better than I can. He sees further than I do. He knows my end from my beginning, and my ability to trust in His plan for my life allows me to rest in His timing for my life.
Second is the insight of Discernment. The fathers say the gift of discernment, that ability to see clearly in any situation to the right outcome and the ability to tell good motives from not so good motives, is the result of a loving devotion and trust in God. If I am ever going to get better at the timing of my life, I am going to have to develop and grow my ability to discern the godly path of my life. My choices, my priorities, and my plans all benefit when I learn to discern.
Third is the insight of Confidence. If I have come to the revelation that God has a purpose for my life, and if I have trusted, prayed, and developed a sense of discernment in my life, then the only step left is to actually DO the actions that bring me to the right place at the right time. Having the confidence to implement my revelation-based and discerned priorities and choices and plans means I leave the place where my faith is just a theory and it is actually the way I live my life!
Today, are you experiencing good timing in your life. If not, it may be a gentle and loving God inviting you to wake up to the spiritual challenges in your life of faith. These “bad timing” events in your life may be a symptom of a spiritual need that can only be healed by a renewed commitment to being Orthodox on Purpose. Why not take a bit of time today and look over your choices and priorities and allow the revelation, discernment, and confidence of Christ to shed light on your choices, your actions, and your life.
Today, timing is everything. Increase God’s presence in your life to increase the good timing of your life!
