Timing

By Deanna Cook 

We all want good things to happen in our lives, but too often we want it now… not later.  David was anointed king when he was a teenager and then he had to wait fourteen years.  Abraham had to wait 25 years for the birth of his son Isaac.  Noah had to wait 120 years from the time God told him to build the ark until the time of the flood actually occurred.  They all had to wait on God’s timing and the time prepared them for the next phase in their lives.   

When God directs our paths, He sometimes leads us in ways that don’t make sense to us so we’re not always going to understand everything.  When I was in grade twelve, my plan was to go and study Education and become a high school English teacher.  But I didn’t get accepted into Education.  Instead, I completed an Arts degree in Psychology and then was accepted four years later into elementary education.  I trained as an Elementary teacher and even taught in grades five and six for a few years.  Then, when I was looking for a new experience, I had the opportunity to teach at my former high school.  I planned to do it just for just one year, until something else came up. And now, eighteen years later, and two different high school settings, I could not imagine not teaching high school.  I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:9: “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.”   

Another verse I am reminded of comes from Proverbs 3:5-6, “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”  Six years ago, I was working at a school and it was closing.  It was also my high school reunion and I was dreading being asked all weekend, “So, what are you going to do next year?”  My response was going to have to be “I don’t know” or “Live in my parents’ basement”.  But the night before my 20th high school reunion, I received an email wondering if I would be interested in a meeting the next week.  That weekend, I could confidently answer anyone who asked “What are you doing next?” with “I have an interview on Wednesday!”  God provided- I got the position and it was perfect timing.  

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.”  When the time is right, God will also re-open doors.  When I was in university, I was approached to be part of a mission team to Mexico.  I thought I needed to work and be a serious student, so I declined.  Years later, when I was 29, the same person asked if I would consider doing missions.  This time, I said yes; it was the right time and the right team and led to me going to Estonia, a place full of people I love dearly. 

We can be afraid and we can be anxious, but God provides.  He gives good gifts- often better gifts than we could ever imagine.  And He causes it to all happen at exactly the right time!  You just have to trust!