Devo Week 31

It’s All in the Timing -- Listen and Learn

Our view of time reveals our values. Most especially the value we place on people and tasks. It determines how we adapt and identify with others, how deep we are willing to go in relationships, and ultimately our depth of impact with the Gospel. The danger is grasping the work of 'finishing the task' with our own timing. The mission of God is just that: His mission. And He is the Lord of time.

Key Concept: Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast

I remember watching along with the whole world in 2018 as many nations strategized together on the miraculous rescue of 13 young boys trapped inside a cave in Thailand. The mission motto of the rescuers was "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast."

Slowing down is helpful in many ways: 1) It gives us more of a long-term perspective. This helps us not get ahead of Jesus on His mission, as He seeks His inheritance among all nations. Short-term missions are valuable as long as they integrate into the long-term objectives. 2) It allows history to develop and relationships to deepen, and 3) It promotes healthy growth in discipleship, like the normal maturation process of a seed, plant, tree and fruit.

Cultures lean toward either a long-term or a short-term focus, and this can be seen wherever you go. Western and Eastern views of time can contrast greatly. Westerners often struggle with the ‘slow pace’ of change in other cultures. For example, the USA's 1776 Declaration of Independence is only 246 years old. The city in Thailand where we lived was founded in 1296 AD and had a sports stadium that was 700 years old. God's timing helps clarify and adjust our perspective.

God's timing is usually long-term and strategic in nature. God promised Abraham that his seed would bless all the families of the earth. (Gen. 12:1-3) When too much time had passed, Abraham moved ahead of God, “frontsliding” in his own timing and strength, to produce an heir with his handmaiden Hagar. The promised son Isaac was later fulfilled by a miraculous birth, considering the ages of Abraham and Sarah.

What does this say to us about God's timing? Yes, God can redeem our mistakes, but not keeping in step with God’s timing (Gal. 5:25) is an outcome we want to guard against.

Key Word Definition: generalizations (plural noun)

-- a broad statement or an idea that is applied to a group of people or things.

Excerpt from Devotional 30 with highlighted word:

"Most cultures function either by precise time (like in the West) or loose time (like in the East). Of course, these are generalizations but important nonetheless. God, however, not only transcends time but holds it in His hands. (Ps 31:15) He even designates the times and seasons and can intervene in both sequential and appointed times. Our goal is to steward the time He gives us as best as we can for His Kingdom."

Scripture: Galatians 5:25

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”