God's Timing vs Your Timing ⏰

Hello Sis

Is it me or is April flying by? Hope you are doing well?

There was a video I watched a couple of weeks ago, and it got me thinking about the ways we set a deadline or a timing to things in our lives. The video inspired me because the woman in it attained most of her desires – marriage, kids and career progression in her 40s. As she narrates her story in the video, she mentions how everything that was perceived as late was a blessing because God is the architect of life.ONE thing about God is that He always moves in His time not ours.

I will be turning 30 at end of April and I have been reflecting. I am entering my 30s with gratitude and thankfulness because God has done so much for me and without Him, I do not know where I would be today. The video serves as a reminder to myself that even if it seems like I don’t have everything I’m supposed to right now according to society’s standards, nothing beats God’s timing.

It is good to set goals but know when to be flexible. We have so many ideas of the things we want to achieve before we hit a certain age or a phase of our life. When setting goals or plans we must think foremost as to whether they are in alignment to the will and purpose of God. Social media can sometimes make it seem like you are not doing well but that is a façade. We do not serve social media; we serve a living God who knows our timing the best. God prepares us for every blessing that comes our way. I would rather receive everything God has planned for me when He wants me to than rush myself into something that I may regret. “Sometimes arriving too quickly is detrimental. It is dangerous to arrive without our character mature or intact.” - Lisa Bevere

Waiting on God’s timing may not always be easy. We may sometimes try to manipulate the hand of God. An example can be seen in the story of Abraham and Sarah, where they decided to take matters into their own hands regarding God’s promise of a child to them. (Genesis 16: 1-5).

The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said.

So, after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife.

He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. (Genesis 16:1-5) 

In your waiting period, what you are doing matters as well, are you preparing yourself, grumbling to God, or trying to work it out yourself? The story of Joseph depicts this very well because of the dreams of success he had but the journey he went through to see those dreams fulfilled was long.

God showed Joseph in his dreams that one day he would rule (Genesis 37-48). However, for the next thirteen years everything went exactly opposite to the promise. His brothers, who hated him, sold him to the Egyptians. As a slave in Potiphar’s house, he was falsely accused of raping his master’s wife. Then he was thrown into prison and forgotten.

Joseph didn’t allow his circumstances shape him. He didn’t let self-pity or bitterness rob him of what God had shown him. Instead, he chose to use each circumstance ― whether at home, at Potiphar’s house, or in prison ― as God’s appointed place where he would serve him with all his heart. God eventually blessed Joseph and made him a blessing to others.

Your story might not be like Joseph’s but what you are doing while waiting matters. Make sure you are living your life in God’s will and waiting well in anticipation of His promise. Yes, it can be hard and frustrating, but you must remind yourself of the promises of God over your life and the dreams and prophecies that you have received. Whatever you are waiting for, be it your career to get started, to be healed, a family member to be saved, marriage, a baby, a breakthrough, growth in your business, your assignment, make sure you wait well and trust Him even if it doesn’t make sense.

I’m entering my 30s so full and content because I know and trust that God has got me. I am not fearful but hopeful for what the future has in store because God’s timing is the best. This quote is a constant reminder:

“Thank God for his sovereign intrusion into your life. Thank him that he loves you too much to let you wander, wasting your life and energies. He’s involved in a profound engineering project in your life, and your circumstances even the pushing, squeezing, distressing ones are part of that plan. Though it may not feel like it right now, it’s a plan to make your life more productive than you ever dreamed possible.” - Joni Eareckson Tada

A movie recommendation is The Wait on Netflix

Here are some verses on God’s timing

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. — Peter 3:8–9

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverb 3:5-6

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. — Ecclesiastes 3:1

Have a blessed week ahead.

🩷 + 💡