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Do you run on early, on-time, or behind time?

I have a clock in my kitchen that I set at five minutes early. Then I have a smart phone which is perfectly on time all the time. Even when I travel, it will automatically adjust to the new time zone. But unfortunately, the self-winding watch I wear loses a few minutes every day and often is five minutes behind! All these different time devices can make my life very confusing.

We have a dear friend who seems to have a life and family that runs on perfect time. As a matter of fact, they are never late! They have a saying their father taught them: Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable!

But as for Greg, who subscribes to the “early is on time” standard, I often will say to him, “Give me a count down so I won’t lose track of the time” . . . and he does!

“Cathe, in 10 minutes we have to leave.”

Then, he will say, “Five minutes and it’s time to go!”

And then finally, “I’m backing the car out now!”

As often as I run late, I expect God to run according to my preferred time . . . and that fluctuates with any given circumstance. I expect tolerance and patience on the part of God to my disobediences and procrastination. When I am aware of God’s commands—perhaps something in my life that needs to be repented of and stopped—often I tread on His patience. I say to Him, “Lord, just a little bit longer . . . let me coddle this sin or resentment. I will eventually get around to doing what You are asking.”

Even though I admit that God knows so much better than I do what is needed to keep me safe, happy, and whole, I so often put my desires and agenda ahead of His. “Slow down Lord . . . I need more time for this!”

And while I’m slow about repenting and obedience, I am equally guilty of trying to “count down” God. I give Him my prayer “to do” list and expect it to go onto His calendar, marked “urgent.”

“10 days Lord, I’m giving You 10 more . . . ”

“Five days now, Lord. Isn’t it about time for You to take some action here? Because if not, You’ll be late!”

“Lord, where are you? Aren’t you going to do anything?” And sometimes we may even say, “Lord, now it’s too late.”

This is one of the lessons children need to learn from their loving parents: prompt, unquestioning obedience when we say “go,” and trusting patience when we say “not yet.” Little children need to learn this in the nursery, and we Christians (young and old ones too!) need to learn to trust that God’s decrees and timing are always for our own good. Our Heavenly Father has perspective and knowledge that we don’t. He is never unreasonable or tardy—for that simply isn’t possible for One who created time, who sets the seasons and the sunrise, and who knows all things.

Daniel wrote, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him” (2:20–22).

It is when we are in the darkness of circumstances, or in the darkness of our personal agendas, that we need to hold tightly to the hand of God and keep in stride with His step . . . guaranteed we will arrive at the perfect time and place!