I’ve often said in my life that time is precious. If you take the most wealthy billionaire in the world and myself, we have one thing in common. If the Lord allows both of us to wake up this morning and tomorrow, we both have twenty-four hours. Our financial status is different, but the time is the same. He or she can make more money, but they can’t make time. Time belongs to The One who designed it. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day (‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ NLT). This is the beginning of time as we know it. Time is supernatural and completely out of our control but God lets us have choices with what we do with the time we’re given. 

I can honestly say that a lot of days, I waste time. I’m on the internet. I’m shopping for things that I don’t need or I’m halfway watching a show on television. These things aren’t necessarily bad. Sometimes we need a mental break and these things help get us recharged. However, a lot of the time, there’s productive things we should be doing and we don’t. We put them off till later and then create a crisis mode for ourselves. Had we taken the time to pray and seek God about His direction, this probably would not have become the case. We tend to think that we control time. Not the case! It keeps ticking. Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring (‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬ NLT). This is pretty specific. We don’t have the right to say what and when something will happen. We don’t know what God’s doing with situations. Only He knows. 

There’s an example in the Bible that sticks out to me about people trying to control a certain situation. Jesus had friends whose brother got sick and died. They had gotten word to Jesus that he was sick and wanted Jesus to come. So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days (‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭5-6‬ NLT). Jesus knew the Father’s plan. He spoke to His disciples about the matter. So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” (‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭14-15, 21-22‬ NLT) You see, Lazarus was already in a tomb. The crowd followed Jesus to it. 

So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” (‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭41-44‬ NLT) This was a miracle of giant proportions! It’s not as if Jesus didn’t care that the man was sick to begin with. He was so in tune with the Father that He understood that this was going to be an opportunity to show people that He truly was the Messiah. It was all about the Father’s timing. He had been given the power to raise the dead! Mary and Martha certainly didn’t see this situation unfolding like it did. They had plans of seeing the sick healed. I’m sure they never fathomed seeing the dead raised!

We all try to control our circumstances. We will say “God’s timing” all day long to encourage someone else. But, when it comes to us, we have microwave mentality. Right here! Right now! Fortunately, God is not on our clock. He decides when and how He wants things done. His way is the best anyway! He uses His ways to shape and form our faith and character. He’s always going to be on time. He’s usually not early, though. The Hands of time belong to the One who created time and has a heart for His people.

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.