God’s gift . . .
Surrendering to God’s Timing
With Wisdom & Acceptance
Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can.
(Dwight L. Moody)
Do you believe this, trust it, and have this kind of faith in God? . . . in God’s timing?
Do you ever “let go” of something, place it in God’s hands,
then take it back again and again and again? . . . Why?
Why is it so hard to surrender,
to let go of what controls and affects your life even when you don’t want it to?
Surrender . . . giving up something, or giving control of something to someone else . . . Surrendering to God means to give yourself up to God, to allow God to be in charge—yield to Him or submit to Him—to trust God to be in control of all the things you cannot . . . And sometimes surrender means letting go of trying to understand the reasons behind everything, and instead being comfortable with not knowing all the answers . . . being wise enough to accept that God does know best and you don’t, and that is okay.
There are a lot of circumstances, people, and things in every person’s life that no one can be in control of . . . things beyond our reach to fix, to change, to make sense of, or to understand . . . Rather than feeling frustrated, hurt, and anxious over what we cannot control, we need to work toward taking comfort in what we can control and turn our thoughts to God—turning toward our relationship with God, and the trust, faith, and hope we have with Him.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34
Wisdom is the ability to use our knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgements.
Acceptance is the willingness to allow, or agree to, something that involves a challenging situation or circumstance.
We strive for the wisdom to believe what God teaches us and shows us, and we willingly accept God’s guidance and direction . . . Wisdom and acceptance work hand in hand . . . With God’s understanding and help we wisely realize and accept how to deal with difficult circumstances, or how to react when things don’t go according to our plans . . . Appreciating and believing in God and believing in the living, breathing relationship you experience with Him allows your heart, mind and soul to willingly open up to the possibilities of His plans and His timing in your life.
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.
It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.
It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds.
It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
James 3:17
Sometimes we don’t “get over” what is going on in our lives . . . we have to just “get through it” with God’s help, the supportive hand of Christ, and the whispers of encouragement from the Holy Spirit . . . which means, whether we like it or not, we often have to surrender to God’s timing.
INSIGHT . . .
Kairos Time ~ Chronos Time
There are two main types of time mentioned in the Bible—Chronos and Kairos . . . Chronos is how we think of time—as we measure it on clocks, seconds, minutes, hours, or dates on a calendar . . . It is measurable time or “clock time.”
Kairos time is different . . . It teaches us about God’s kingdom and trusting God’s timing . . . The word kairos (from an Ancient Greek term) is translated as the “right time” or “opportune moment” to do or say something . . . Kairos, in Christian theology, is interpreted as “God’s time” . . . Kairos time is understood as “an appointed time” God chooses for something to occur . . . It represents the "perfect moment" or "God's timing" when heaven steps into human history to bring about transformation or demand a decisive response . . . a divine, appointed time, an opportune moment, or a specific season ordained by God.
Trusting God’s timing can be difficult . . . We are human, and we want to know everything—now!! . . . We want God to work on our timetables . . . But kairos’s meaning and the Bible teach that trusting in God’s timing is the right thing to do and doing it is actually for our benefit.
Accepting God's timing is even harder . . . God doesn't always allow us to see the exact scheduling of His plan . . . There are actually times when we might give up if we knew how long it was going to take . . . but when we accept God's timing, we can learn to live with hope and enjoy our lives while God is working on our problems.
“A man's mind plans his way,
but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.”
Proverbs 16:9
When God directs our paths, sometimes He leads us in ways that don't make sense to us, so we're not always going to understand everything . . . we aren’t going to be able to reason out everything . . . Too many people make the mistake of trying to figure everything out on their own . . . but when we accept Christ as our Savior, we learn to trust our lives to His care . . . So, stop trying to figure everything out, and let God be God in your life.
It’s easy to believe in God’s perfect timing when life aligns with our expectations, plans, and hopes. . . . But what about the times that don’t align with our expectations? . . . When it comes to God’s timing, do you struggle to keep your faith in the Lord during seasons of waiting? . . . Waiting is never easy . . . We don’t like to wait for things to happen . . . But I guarantee our impatience will not motivate God to move faster.
So, as we wait on God’s timing, embrace the present season . . . Recognize and accept that every delay has a purpose . . . Just like a seed needs a season under the soil to grow, you may be in a period of hidden preparation, character building, or spiritual refinement.
Focus on your own journey, not other people’s . . . It is easy to feel behind if you compare your timeline to others . . . instead of worrying about when God’s timing will come to fruition, channel your energy to your relationship with God and your trust in His faithfulness.
INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .
Every single person has something that gets in the way, that hurts, that creates chaos . . . It is okay to admit it—we are not perfect and never will be . . . Sometimes we just need to humble ourselves before God and allow Him to guide us through the rough roads and detours, in His time . . . As we travel with God by our side, He will give us strength, help us find peace with ourselves, and within ourselves.
Ask God to help you put into His hands what you are struggling to deal with?
Are you ready to surrender to God’s timing
and find peace where you haven’t found it lately?
Searching for the peace and serenity that comes with yielding to God, surrendering, and letting go of things you can’t control takes a lot out of you, drains you with exhaustion, tears, tense muscles, and an anxious heart and soul.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”
Psalm 37:7a
We are never alone . . . but we struggle with God’s timing, especially when things move slower than we want or desire . . . For this moment in time, relax . . . stretch your sore muscles, relax your shoulders . . . take slow, deep breaths with long, full releases of air . . . close your eyes and see yourself where you find peace and calm.
Look at this picture carefully and imagine where your life fits into this scenario . . . Are you feeling the chains, or are you the birds flying freely, the light, the open sky?
Talk with God about what you need to do differently to break away
from what is holding you bound?
Or maybe you have already broken away . . .
Ask God to show you, to assure you that you are on the right path?
Think about what you have placed in God’s hands today . . . now leave it there . . . Turn your hands upward, palms open, asking God’s Spirit to fill you with His strength and love . . . and let you heart and soul fly like the wild birds in the sky.
Surrender to what is . . . Let go of what was . . . Have faith in what will be.
(Sonia Ricotti)
Prayerfully ask God . . . to help you surrender your anxiety and sense of urgency . . . to help you allow Him to guide you in the pacing of your life . . . Open your heart to God’s timing, not your own, so that as you open your heart to His timing you can feel His peace and comfort . . . and ask God for His affirmation for what you are doing right in His eyes.
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32
ILLUMINATION . . .
Imagine standing in a park and looking to the side to see a Bible leaning against a tree, pages blowing in the wind . . . What is the story of why it’s there? . . . Is it lost, forgotten, abandoned, neglected? . . . Was it left because someone found the answer they needed right then and were in a hurry to respond to The Word? . . . Was it “placed there” by God because He knows you need to open it today, to read His Written Word, and talk with Him?
Whatever the reason the Bible is resting there, it’s ready to be open, read, and used again and again.
When is the last time you opened your Bible and actually read with intention,
soaking up the words and message?
Where is your Bible?
Do you even have a Bible?
Do you need a new Bible to start a new day or new chapter in your life?
“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other,
‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road
and opened the Scriptures to us?’”
Luke 24:31-32
Think about this . . . It’s said that serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm . . . Every life is filled with a variety of “storms” . . . with squalls, showers, thunder and lightning, even a blizzard or tornado or hurricane once in a while . . . and sometimes even too much sunshine . . . Peace comes in how you handle the storms, the extremes that overwhelm . . . Peace comes from the wisdom and acceptance to know you can’t do it all on your own . . . to know to accept help—from God and from others.
Prayerfully ask God . . . to help you revisit the first lines of the serenity prayer and to show you the path to follow to live it out . . . where to accept, where to change, and that you do have the wisdom to “know the difference.”
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.
And remember, God’s Word is always available to you . . . in prayer, in those around you, and in that worn book sitting at the base of that tree, put there just for you.
INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .
Music is powerful. A good melody can instantly lift your mood,
while poignant lyrics can give you strength when you're feeling down . . .
Music has the ability to touch our hearts and minds,
summon emotion, and create connection.
(Kait Hanson)
I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.
♪♬♪ Current . . . Holding On (Praise God)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM0XyL9wRgc&list=RDxM0XyL9wRgc&start_radio=1
♪♬♪ Praise & Worship . . . 10,000 Reasons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgFWnKITidk&list=RDEgFWnKITidk&start_radio=1
♪♬♪ Traditional . . . In His Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neIjbGYSOVQ&list=RDneIjbGYSOVQ&start_radio=1
INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,
who gives generously to all without reproach,
and it will be given him."
James 1:5
Sometimes finding peace, realizing how to get to that space even for a moment, can be daunting . . . But look around you . . . you will see others who have made it through tough times with God as their foundation, who are at peace no matter what life has thrown at them . . . Take that as an affirmation that peace is possible . . . Know God loves you, He cares about you, and is the everlasting God that has been there for His children, is here now, and will be there in the future!
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace.
And always be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15
Know that peace and serenity come from within . . . It’s okay to not “know” the answers to every little thing, and some of the big things too . . . There are times when a new day is just that—a clean slate to start fresh, try a new approach, or just move forward . . . You have the wisdom to realize that, and if you let it, your heart and mind can accept that . . . Try to understand where the peaks and valleys are in your life and know that God is there every step of the journey . . . Albert Einstein wrote, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” . . . Sometimes that understanding is just knowing you will never understand, but that doesn’t stop life or stop you from living.
As you move into the next moment, the next day, and beyond . . . When you need a reminder that everything is in God’s time, think of a string of lights . . . a single color, multi-colored, bright white, warm amber . . . whatever color, shape, or type is your favorite . . . Start with the closest light on the string, move to the next, then the next . . . You can’t see what’s at the end, but you know it’s there and you know what to expect.
Following Christ is like following that string of lights . . . take it a step at a time . . . you can see the light in the distance . . . you don’t know how the journey will end . . . but you trust His timing and know He is there.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
‘I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.’”
John 8:12
People change, seasons change—your perspective can change too—if you let it . . . Never give up . . . never cease praying . . . just accept that a response may not be today, or even tomorrow . . . but don’t stop hoping, caring, loving, trusting, listening, and praying . . . Have an open mind and open heart . . . Give thanks to God for whatever comes . . . Come talk with God often, walk with Christ, and listen for the Holy Spirit’s whispers in your heart.
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7
BELIEVE IN GOD ~ FOLLOW CHRIST ~ LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Dear Lord, help us to rest in Your love,
to trust in Your timing,
and to believe that You work all things for our good.—Amen!
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