“Time for a Time Out”

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven— Ecclesiastes 3:1 NASB

Time. One of those things that we simply don’t have enough of and cannot make more of.

So, I guess that means we have the responsibility to do the best we can with what we have. I presume that’s what is implied by time management.

But does that apply to circumstances that arise or develop without our consent? If we fail to manage the circumstances, does that mean we are at fault when time slips away or doesn’t work in our favor?

I don’t know about you, but there have been many times when I’ve wanted to call a time out in the middle of a messy situation. Just to get some breathing room. Because quite honestly, I just felt as though I were not fully equipped to handle one more detail, given the allotment of time I had been given to deal with in the present moment.

As I have come to the point in my life where there are more years behind me than those that (hopefully) lie ahead of me, I have come to the humble conclusion that in each one of those blessed situations was an impactful lesson for me to learn from.

That GOD himself, the Creator of time itself, was not expecting me to fix or control all of those crazy situations, but that He was actually calling me to turn them over to Him. And that the time restraints, or what felt like time restraints, were His tender renderings of pause, so that I would slow my pace to see His mercy and grace staring me in the face.

What would I do if I did gain more time in those situations, in those difficult moments when life felt as though it were passing me by and leaving me helpless? Would I have had the potential to improve the circumstances that would result in a favorable outcome?

In hind sight, there was no possible better outcome than the one that unfolded. Because GOD was in full control, He determined the best outcome, regardless of my involvement or human effort.

And certainly, no additional amount of time would have improved those final outcomes.

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. Romans 8:28 Amplified

Sometimes, we punish ourselves for things that didn’t go as we had hoped for or planned. Too often we rehearse the could’ve~would’ve~should’ve cycle of self blame for things totally out of our control, not taking a time-out to consider that perhaps GOD intended for things to open up as He intended.

As painful as the moment may feel, He is always in control. We just get ahead of ourselves and think of the worse when our human eyes fail to see His Hand behind the scenes. GOD works in the eternal, Friend, so He’s already worked our momentary present turmoil ~ we just don’t see it yet.

I’ve learned that when the Lord hides something from my eyes, it’s because He is protecting me from something that I’m not ready to experience. That’s when faith beckons us to lean in with all our might. Let that sit with you for a bit.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

At the end of the day, GOD will have His way. And if we trust Him with the happenings of the day, we will do ourselves a huge favor and experience His peace. Truthfully, we have nothing to lose, because He won’t let worse case scenario fall upon His Daughter.

Your Heavenly Father will always work on your behalf, whether you feel it, see it, or experience it in the exact moment you are looking for evidence of it. He is not bound by time as we know it to be. He is the Author of time.

Your peace and calm in your situation is founded and grounded in and by your relationship with God himself. That fact makes all the difference in the world. And it redefines your need for more of anything, including time.

My prayer this day is that you’ll take a time out to have a conversation with Him. And if you’re listening, you’ll hear things that will blow your mind. GOD does that.