There are so many opportunities for God to use us in our everyday lives and it is often about His timing. Sometimes I have rushed around, in anticipation for a specific event and when I finally arrived it was right on time. Have you ever been in traffic, or minutes away from your destination and everyone is seemingly driving in slow motion? It was probably not your time to be there. My most vivid memory of involving good timing was during a drive to take Taylor to daycare when she was a baby. I lived downtown Chicago and her babysitter was in the Western suburbs.
I woke up late that morning (what I perceived to be late) and I quickly dressed her and packed her into my 1999 Malibu. I was a junior at UIC and anxious to get to class on time I rushed onto 290 West headed to the sitter. As we drove, I pulled into the center lane. I had a weird feeling that something wasn’t right. In fact, it was moments later that I saw an accident occur right in front of me. However, before it happened in real time, I had the urge to slow down and pay attention to what was in front of me. A car swerved from the left lane, across my lane hitting several cars in the far right lane. As I slowed down, everyone in back of me did as well.
By the time everything halted there was wreckage in front, my car untouched in the middle and a sea of cars behind me. Taylor was resting safely in her seat and I was a mess. At the time I wasn’t really firm with my relationship with God and I was overwhelmed with panic. I did know enough however to give glory to God for his perfect timing. I was grateful that we were “late” and that I was given some sense of warning. Sometimes we are eager to rush and have a plan in mind for ourselves, but it is in His perfect timing and His perfect will that we will be placed in the best possible position. His faithfulness is evidence that no matter what time of day or what situation we are in He will never leave us. He will guide us, protect and instruct us if we take the time to hear His voice.
Psalm 31:14-15
New King James Version (NKJV)
14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.