Tick Tock

It was the end of a weeklong cruise of the Caribbean, my husband and I were newlyweds. All burnt noses and messed up inner-ears from the time at sea. They say that when you find your life partner it's usually someone who is the opposite of you. Perhaps they compliment you. For my spouse and I, we are diametrical opposites when it comes to time. I like to rush around with my chicken head cut off so we can be ten minutes early and wait at our destination. Tom would rather wait out those ten minutes at home. All cool as a cucumber until it's time to get out the door. Then his head comes off. 

via GIPHY

This is also true in other aspects of life. Much of life can depend on timing. Yes, we can make our own opportunities. But if what your creating doesn't have a market, or use, or bring joy to you than really, you have missed the boat. 

I believe we each have missed a proverbial boat in trying to make it to some indeterminate place. That our "arrival" has been delayed by either circumstance, delay, disbelief in ourselves or a firm hand shutting down whatever opportunity we are trying to achieve. What if that "missed boat" is really a pause in the journey. A pause to help you recalibrate. If we can reframe our missed timings and delays as rest stops in life, we may find that the timing of our life is actually right on track, I don't mean in a Pollyanna, everything works out always, but more of a Lord, teach me what you have for me here in this season of waiting and disappointment. Even when the waiting and missing is because of choices made by ourselves, there are still lessons to be learned and character to be developed. 

Perfect timing is not something we as humans can achieve. Much of our life has variables of which we aren't even aware. We should be surrendering to the timing of God. He's the Alpha and Omega. The one who knows when the world began and when it will end. Our lives are but a hiccup in the great scheme of eternity. Instead of being about our own agendas, we should focus on His. That way we can rest in the Truth that what we do will have impact far beyond the eighty-ish years we have on this green and blue ball.

What if instead of dwelling on what we have missed out on, we look instead to what is coming? When the train seems to have left the station with us, we can know that another is coming along. This one has room in the first-class berth. Because every yes we "miss-out" on, each "no" that we hear is making a path for the future yes and opportunity that is the work God has intended for you. When we can rest in that knowledge, our lives will have far more purpose and use than when we scramble and hustle in our own efforts.