Wisdom Hunters: Timing is Everything Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. Mark 8:30 Timing is everything. It is the difference between a strike and a home run in baseball. It determines if a cake is moist and baked perfectly, or hard and dry. Timing in conversation can solicit receptivity or invite defensiveness. It may grow or hinder relationships. When and how we move forward with a decision to change determines the degree of success. Yes, timing in telling the truth is best when anger has subsided and hearts are comforted. Prayer leads to the right time. Jesus knew His disciples and their audience could not yet handle the extent of who He was and what He was to do. They were ready to follow a reigning King, but not prepared for a Savior who suffers and dies. In the same way, we as modern day disciples are fast to follow our risen Savior, but slow to follow our suffering Savior. However, both are required for us to be authentic followers of Jesus. We truly follow our Lord, once we are abandoned to our Lord. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. Mark 17:9 Have you prayerfully prepared your heart to comfort and confront your child in love? Is your decision making process in the workplace collaborative and infused with wise counsel? A mistimed decision based on a pure motive still makes for an ugly outcome. Better to wait and work out the details before you offer an idea or plan. People fill in the blanks of ambiguity with a worst case scenario. So, a mind that marinates in prayerful reflection gives the wisest response. Thus, seek the Lord first, before you seek a sensitive conversation with a friend or foe. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you into His timing. But when the time is right, be confident of what’s right. Be like Peter at Pentecost, prepared, bold and full of the Holy Spirit. Prayerfully proclaim the gospel of Christ to those the Lord brings into your life, those He has prepared beforehand. Now is the time: surrender to your risen Christ Jesus and embrace your suffering Savior Jesus! So don’t waste your time on a scoffer; all you’ll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that’s different—they’ll love you for it! Proverbs 9:8, The Message Prayer: Heavenly Father, I trust in Your timing to lead me into Your will and way for my life. Related Readings: Habbakak 2:3; Matthew 26:18; Luke 1:20; 1 Corinthians 4:5 © 2013 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved. Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry [email protected] / wisdomhunters
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 19:54:12 +0000