Isaiah 60:22 “The least of you will become a thousand,
    the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
    in its time I will do this swiftly.”

One of the biggest problems we have in relating to God is timing. That’s no surprise, because we are in the flow of time and He is outside of it. There have been many occasions throughout history when it seemed like nothing was happening, and then suddenly, everything happened at once. That’s true even on the geologic scale. Scientists speak of things like “the Cambrian explosion,” when the fossil record shows that the number of species on earth suddenly multiplied, in violation of every tenet of “evolution.” God isn’t limited to our human intellect or understanding! That’s certainly true in relation to Israel, which was indeed “created in a day” in 1948. (Isaiah 66:8) It likewise seems to be true in relation to the Trump administration, where things are happening at a pace that the news, not to mention his opposition, has trouble keeping up. And of course, we need to remember that the greatest coming event, Christ’s return, will happen when most of the world will be totally unsuspecting. We are to be aware of things spiritually, staying in touch with the Lord through regular devotions and listening to Him throughout each day, but not be anxious about times or schedules. His plans are eternal, and we can certainly trust Him with them.

I have had all sorts of “sudden” events in my life, the most dramatic and consequential of which being meeting Cathy in November of 1968, having our first date in February of 1969, and getting married in May of 1969. Simple math says that was over 56 years ago! In 1981, when we saw no way we could return to Japan, after I surrendered it all to God, the seminary in Fukuoka asked my mother to do something about the things she had stored for us there, and I was sent to do the job. A missionary in Nagasaki City arranged a meeting for me with the Chairman of the Board of the Koyo Schools here in Omura, and after a 20 minute conversation, he said he would hire me. I called Cathy, and we’ve been here ever since. My decision to retire from the Koyo Schools last year was likewise sudden, from my standpoint, but I can see that it was God’s timing. By now, I should certainly have learned not to be anxious about God’s timing! I am to seek Him for His schedule each day, each minute, actually, and be faithful to do as He directs, whether it feels like I’m just spinning my wheels, or charging off into the unknown.

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of knowing You, of having Your Spirit. I’ve still got plenty of room to grow in terms of being fully controlled by Your Spirit, but that’s my heart’s desire. May I spend each day as You desire, following Your plans on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!