“But when the fullness of time had cone, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” – Galatians 4:4
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Timing is everything.” “Wrong place, wrong time,” we say, or “I was in the right place at the right time.” I was thinking about this with our recent car accident coming back from St. Louis. I suppose you could say we were in the wrong place at the wrong time to be next to a car when it drifted into our lane. Yet, there are so many ways I look back at what happened and see how blessed we were by the timing of it all. The accident happened at a time and place where there was a good sturdy guardrail that directed us back onto the road instead of down into a deep ditch. The cars around us had just enough time to avoid hitting us and each other. The accident happened at the exit that is only 12 miles from where Becky’s brother lives, so we had family and family friends who were there to help us. Benjmain’s roommates were traveling back to school and were 50 miles behind us, so they were able to pick him up and take him to school. We even have an extra car that we had just picked up from my Uncle down in Florida that was going to be for Benjamin at school next semester, so there is a car sitting in our driveway and no rush to replace our van. When I think about all these things and more, I am just so grateful to the Lord for watching over us and for His perfect timing.
The passage above from Galatians 4 also mentions God’s perfect timing—“when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…” All that has happened throughout all of history from creation to fall and flood, to God choosing Abraham and making his family into a great nation, to Israel’s slavery in Egypt and dramatic exodus, to the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai and all the instructions for the tabernacle, to the wilderness wandering and entering the promised land, to their desire for a king and the dividing of the kingdom, to their exile and return from exile—all of it has been building to this moment—when God sent forth His Son to be born of woman, born under the law so He could redeem us who are under the law. This is God’s perfect timing! While we were powerless and weak under the law—when we were dead in our trespasses and sins—while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! When we couldn’t do it for ourselves, He did all that was necessary for us!
The accident was a reminder to me of just how helpless I am. I am certainly not in control, but God is! Our times are in His hands, and that is a good thing for He has perfect timing. His timing is gracious too. During the hustle and bustle of this holiday season when you feel like there is never enough time, take some time to pause and praise the One whose timing is always perfect. His timing is perfect for me and for you!
