right thing, wrong time

1 Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. . . . 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. . . . 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. John 6:1-15

Back in the 1950s, Bill Bright, the former president of Campus Crusade, had a vision and a burden to produce a film on the life of Jesus. For various reasons, the timing wasn't right.

But 20 years later, things came together. The Jesus Film was produced and the timing was perfect. It has been called the most effective evangelistic tool in the history of the church. At this moment, there are people someplace who are viewing the film on the life of Jesus, and it's likely some of them are giving their lives to him. The project was God's idea and it was produced in God's timing.

Delays shouldn't be viewed as disappointments but as preparation times. Just because we can't do something when we want to do it doesn't necessarily mean God doesn't ultimately want us to do it. Sometimes a vision is bigger than the opportunity. Sometimes other things need to happen before the vision can be realized. Sometimes we have to sit back and wait patiently—trusting God to line things up.

There's a tremendous illustration of this whole principle in John 6. Jesus had just performed an incredible miracle. He fed 5,000 men, women, and children with a few loaves and some fish. The people said that anybody who can do this deserves to be king. John 6:15 tells Jesus' response to the people's intention—he withdrew “to the mountain by himself.”

Jesus will someday be king. What the people wanted to do was right—but it was at the wrong time and probably for the wrong reason. Jesus will rule and reign in this world, but the large crowd of people that Jesus spoke to were premature in their plans. Other things had to take place. The position did not match God's perfect timing.

Perhaps the desires you have right now are from God, but the circumstances aren't right. Don't try to make God's will happen. Wait for his timing. Allow him to set everything up just for the right, God-ordained moment. —Crawford W. Loritts livingalegacy.org

seeking: Father, how have I just been encouraged to wait for you? Help me, this moment, to reflect on your faithfulness.

responding: What am I trying to make happen that might not be from God? • If it is from God, am I trying to make it happen when it may not be his timing?

Heavenly Father, I want to do the right thing and wait for your timing. Give me the patience I need to do just that.

following: God's timing is always perfect.

our journey