I have learnt a few things over my life time. As the old saying goes “in order to be old and wise you first have to be young and stupid.” Hopefully we are all continuing to learn. One thing I am still learning is that Gods plan and Gods timing do not always happen at the same time. Sometimes they do but usually there is a time gap.
As a christian many expect God to jump at their command. We say to God “jump” and we expect him to answer “how high” but it does not work that way. It should be the other way around.
We sometimes struggle with the concept that God has a plan for our lives but have no idea when it is going to happen. We want it to happen now!!!
When I was 12 years old I knew that God wanted me to go to Japan as a missionary. It was 10 years later that I understood God’s timing. I had no plan to get married before I went to Japan. I had it all worked out in my mind what the time line would be but God had other ideas. God found me a wife before I went. This was against what I had originally thought would be best for me. It was my plan not Gods and I learnt very quickly that I needed to listen to him not myself.
When God told me to go to Australia I knew the plan from God but not the timing. I had it in my mind to go at a certain date but God’s timing was to go earlier than I expected. I struggled with that but eventually God won.
When it was God’s plan for me to leave Australia it was a big shock. It happened in the space of three days but looking back I now know that God’s plan and timing was perfect although at the time it was catastrophic for me. (leaving the cult.)
Up to two years ago I had been rather impulsive. If there was something to do I would not give it much thought but do it. One thing God has been teaching me is to “wait on him.” That is difficult to do. I am sure you have used that expression “I can’t wait.” A close relative may be visiting that you have not seen for awhile and you can’t wait to see them. I am planning to visit Pakistan next year and I can’t wait. It may be a party or special occasion and you can’t wait. It is very frustrating but often we have no option but to wait.
God has a plan for all of us. Sometimes he shows us what the plan is and sometimes he doesn’t. It just happens.
Our supporting church in New Zealand told us they were no longer going to support us in Japan because we disagreed on whether the gifts of the Spirit were relevant for “today”. That was very hard but like most churches, even now, their only method to resolve the problem was to come down heavy, show their authority and flex their muscles. No love, compassion or dialogue. (That’s for another blog) We had to leave Japan after 12 years. Before we left I had no idea what God’s plan was for me but one afternoon I lay down on my bed in the afternoon. I was still in Japan at the time making arrangements to leave but had hit the wall. I had no idea what I was going to do in the future and felt helpless. I began crying and looked up at the ceiling. I saw one of the few visions I have seen. It was like a movie scene. I was on the top of a cliff standing beside a stream. The water from the stream was forming a waterfall and the water was going over the cliff onto rocks below. I was standing beside the stream with a bucket in my hand filling the bucket with water and the water I put into the stream was going over the edge, hitting the rocks and the rocks were splitting into pieces. I asked God what this all meant and his answer encouraged me so much. He said “the water is my word. It is forming a waterfall and the rocks that it is hitting and splitting apart are people’s hearts. You are going to take my Word and tell many people. It will hit their hearts and change them.” I knew God’s plan, but I did not know when it was going to happen. Several years later opportunities opened up for me and I was able to travel to other countries and preach in villages and cities and minister to many. I met people who introduced me to Pastors and took me on mission trips where I began to get known. From there things have expanded and other places have opened up for me. I knew the plan but it was Gods timing and in between I learnt many things to prepare me.
After being removed from the cult two years ago things have really moved quickly as the opportunities I have are overwhelming. The plan God showed me happened years ago, but God’s timing of the plan has taken years.
Gods plan for your life and God’s timing may not be instant. There could be preparation time, there could be learning time, and maybe it is just not the right time. You may need healing from something before you can be effective. Hard lessons may have to be learnt before the timing of God is activated. It will happen if we just take our time and “wait” on God. He will make it happen.There is a reason why my blogs are under the heading “flying like the eagle” because there is so much to learn from that majestic bird. My favourite verse in the Bible is found in Isaiah 40 v 31 “ But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength they shall rise up with wings like Eagles.”
I know God has a plan for your life. Maybe you are still not sure and uncertain when it is going to happen. That is okay.
The problem is that we can know Gods plan for us but instead of waiting can rush ahead of him and the whole thing will fall to pieces because the timing is ours and not Gods.
Here is my own examples that occurred a few months ago. I belong to a lawn bowls club and a few weeks ago a person started asking me some questions, much to my surprise. They asked me why I went to Japan and I replied that I was a missionary.They then told me that they used to go to church. What should I have done? Should I have excused myself from the conversation, prayed and asked God whether I should witness to that person or asked him whether it was his plan or not? NO because Gods plan and timing were together and I needed to do what I should right then. The way had opened up for me and I needed to seize the opportunity. I did not need to wait. There was another man listening and during the bowls game he told me he had not gone to church for several years due to being spiritually abused. He still had his faith but church meant nothing. It lead to a good conversation. When I left home that morning I had not expected this would happen but it was in Gods plan and I had to be ready for his timing.
On the reverse side I live on my brothers property which has a large apple orchard. Often I see people from the Pacific Islands come to pick the apples. It is a New Zealand government scheme to help under developed countries get income for their people. I go and walk in that orchard to have some time with God and also get exercise. A few weeks ago I was walking in the orchard and I saw some Islanders working. Having been to many pacific islands to preach I wanted to know where they had come from. I approached one man and found he was from the Solomon Islands, a place I have visited many times. He knew some pastors in that country who I am friends with. I found out he was a christian. After talking with this man I was returning home and thought that next time I see him I would suggest I start up a monthly Bible study with them. This is where I am having to wait. Is it Gods plan to start a small group or not? If it is I need to wait for the timing. That hasn’t happened yet. I’m still waiting. Can you see the difference? The plan God has for your life may have already been revealed to you and you are working in it but there will be others of you who know the plan but Gods timing has not been revealed.In some cases he may not have revealed either his plan or timing yet. From my experience God will reveal his plan to you when you are ready but you have to wait. During that time prepare yourself. Gods ways are perfect. Do not run ahead of him but beside him and your ways will be made perfect too. “In all your ways acknowledge him (God) and he will direct your paths.”
