Timing

"Wow, that sure was poor timing."

That would be an understatement when referring to two different times in our lives. And maybe a few others.  But two times came to mind when Beth Moore was talking about Mordecai coming to Queen Esther and saying she needed to plead to the king on behalf of the Jews.  It was poor timing.

"It may seem like the worst time for you, but it is God's perfect timing."

Beth Moore talked about their bird dog and how it points for squirrels and not just birds, thus "embarrassing" her husband.  The only way to get the dog out of full point would be to pick it up and point it in a different direction.  Oh my, am I like that dog.

"We get frozen on one thing, and God picks us up and points us in a different direction."

She didn't talk about the dog protesting, but I bet it did.  Growling? I do that.  Bearing its teeth?  I've done that.  Barking?  Wait, are we talking about a dog or me?  I've done plenty of barking, too.  "I don't want to do this...I'm good here, thanks...But I'm comfortable! Why can't I just be comfortable?!!"


I'm protesting I'm comfortable in the eye of a hurricane?  God didn't want Jonah getting comfortable in his nice little hammock on the boat going the wrong direction.  Just like God doesn't want us getting comfortable when we are not where we are supposed to be.  So, sometimes we have to be thrown overboard.  

Once, it seemed we had been swallowed by the whale.  It was stinky. It was boring. But we made some nice friends on the inside.  And I think we learned a few valuable lessons.

Was Jonah supposed to get comfortable in the whale? "Gee, God, you got me here. Am I supposed to put up my tent? Plant some nice...sea kelp?"  Nope.  Just learn, Jonah.  Just remember WHO is in charge.  And so, we do.  We learn. And if we're wise, we write things down or sear them into our hearts. Never to forget...mostly so we don't have to learn it again...the hard way :)


So, we move off to the new place. Hmmm, grumbling all the way? Oops. Sorry.  Crying a bit? (or a lot?) Yeah, but....Okay, God.  It's not my timing.  It sure doesn't seem like what I want. Right now or ever.  But is that the point? No.  I don't want that to be the point.  I don't want what I'm asking for most of the time.  Life would be dreadful if we always got our way.  If we have kids, we can understand that clearly.  They don't usually like it, but we say no, because that's what's best for them.  And that is what God wants for us. The VERY best.  I'm so very thankful He has a better perspective than I do.