Today’s Truth

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Nearly all vacation long, I couldn’t stop worrying. I don’t know why I was worried; it was a small issue in the grand scheme of things, but, still, I kept thinking back to home…to the flowers I planted before I left. I knew the white variety that lined the front hedge of my house would be fine; the rain would hit them. But the purple ones, under my porch? Oh man, I hoped they would live. I really hoped they’d live. Those little purple flowers bring me such joy. Many a morning, I snuggled up with a hot coffee, my bible and a clear view to those cheer-me-up flowers.

But what would happen after a week with no water? I didn’t want to think about the repercussions.

So, I let go of worry, because that’s really all one can do if they want to experience joy. I moved my thoughts away from plants and decided to enjoy my vacation. But, when I got home from the long trip, all I could see as I pulled into my driveway was… the way-wilted and dried-up purple flowers that looked about as sad as I felt.

I was so mad at myself. I killed those little joy-bringers. Those little symbols of hope and life —I ruined.

Dropping my luggage, I ran inside for water and dumped it in the lifeless pot. I prayed for little flowers and then lugged all my trip baggage inside.

Later that night, I checked in on them again; they looked the same. No change.

The next morning, I headed outside. And I could hardly believe my eyes! Somehow, some way, they didn’t look like they did yesterday. They didn’t look dead and frail. They didn’t look dry and wilted. They didn’t look sad.

Astonishingly, they were upright, vital, and purple. They were hopeful and happy. They were alive, despite every reason they should be dead.

How did this happen? How did these flowers defy death?

And – how did they do it on, of all days — Easter morning?! My heart wanted to bust open at the seams. Was God trying to send me a message?

If He was, well, I got it: Truly, there is no dead thing God can’t raise to life again. Ask Lazarus. Ask Jesus. Ask us, before we were freed from hell by grace.

Easter, and this plant, remind me: God makes dead things come back to life again. He can do it to anyone or anything, anywhere, just like He did for those raised-up stems.

This means everything. This means there is no marriage God can’t save. There is no lost child God can’t bring home. There is no hopeless situation that God can’t raise up. There is no death God can’t defy. There is no sin-cycle He can’t break. There is no situation that is unredeemable all thanks to Jesus.

These silly flowers remind me of the essence of the resurrection.

Jesus conquered death so we can have life. Jesus still conquers death, so we can have life.

Scripture says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV).

God didn’t make those flowers of mine beautiful that evening after I first watered them. Remember? There was no change.

It wasn’t until the next morning that they started to stand up and come back to life. Likewise, Father God didn’t raise Jesus up until the third day. There is a timing to God’s beautifying. There is an hour to His release of power.

Will we trust Him, even in the waiting? Even when His timing doesn’t match ours? Even when His breakthrough looks different than we expect?

Truly, God makes all things beautiful in His time. He brings and blooms dead things back to astounding life again.

Let’s Pray

Father, I thank You that You love me. I thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus. I thank You that, through the cross, You have given me eternal life. I thank You that there is always hope. Will You help me to trust You more? Will You help me to lean on You in tough times? I need You, desperately I need You. Please bring resurrection life to any dead areas in my life.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn 

Where do you feel hopeless? What would it look like to experience resurrection life in that area? How might you begin praying about that very issue?  How has God been faithful to bring life to you in the past? Thank Him.

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13 Responses to “Trusting God’s Timing”

  1. Sheila says:

    Trusting Gods Timing was just what I needed today. I have a 33 year old son that has a drug addiction. He has had this for 5 years plus. I guess I had myself believing that it wasn’t that bad until he moved home 3 months ago. I pray I can’t tell you how many times a day that today will be different. But after reading this today I have to remember that my prayer will be answered in Gods timing not mine. I will keeping trusting that God has this.

  2. Carol says:

    Thank you, Kelly, for your devotional this am.
    Loved the flower resurrection story, but your prayer was actually what I needed to read and pray for myself.
    Blessings to you.

  3. Anna says:

    Good Morning,
    I am battling an aggressive form of breast cancer. I appreciate and needed this message today. I have been struggling with this diagnosis and have been leaning on God. The enemy has tried and at times succeeded at taking my eye off God and his word. My prayers daily are for me to remain faithful.

  4. Tiffany says:

    Kelly, thank you for this writing. When I praise God, I admit, I often don’t think about adoring Him as the Resurrected One, the Resurrected King. Um…hello! That’s kind of important lol. Thank you for waking me up and reminding me about that in Him.

  5. Rhonda says:

    Thank you, Kelly, for reminding me to continue to wait on God’s timing.

  6. Tiffany says:

    Sheila, that sounds so hard. I’m sorry that your son is struggling with addiction, and I’m sorry that you as a mom have to endure that.

    Heavenly Father,

    Please have your Son, Jesus, break Sheila’s son free from all bondage, bad habits, and addictions that are holding him back.

    I ask, Father, that her son (by the working and ministry of the Holy Spirit) would believe Jesus, hold to His teachings, and become a strong and powerful disciple of His. That he would come to know the truth, and the truth would set him free. (John 8:31-32) That the Son would set Him free, free indeed (v. 36).

    I also ask in the name of Jesus that You would have sin no longer be his master, that he would not be under the law, but under grace. (Rom. 6:14) That he would come to obey from his heart the pattern of teaching that will claim his allegiance. (v. 17)

    In Jesus’s name I pray for Sheila and her son,
    Amen

  7. Sue says:

    Thank you for this. It be was something I really needed to hear!

  8. Stacy says:

    Tiffany, I am in agreement with you For Shelia and her son. Lord Jesus, do a mighty work in her son’s heart. Take the blinds off of his eyes. Allow him to see your love for him Lord. Send good Christian people in his path. Someone that will understand him and will speak directly to his heart Lord. Jesus, protect him while at the same time orchestrate everything in order to free him from this addiction. Show him your unconditional love Lord. Let him feel your love while he is lying in bed at night. I’m believing that he will be in such awe of your love and mercy that that will cause a turning point in his life. Of course Lord, this is all in your timing. We trust your timing Jesus. Thank you for what you are doing Lord. Also, send your angels of protection over him. Give Shelia your peace and assurance that all will be well. Love, Stacy

  9. Oh Sheila,
    I am so thankful that the prayer was a blessing to you. God is God. He has a good plan. Do not give up hope. I give you a big hug today.

  10. Carol,
    I understand, prayer is usually half-the-battle, if not more. I am so glad that the prayer brought you some freedom.

  11. Anna,

    I cannot imagine how incredibly hard it is to deal with this cancer. I am praying for you right now. I am so thankful that God is faithful and there are many times where — His faithfulness has to carry us. I pray you find rest in that place.

  12. Kimberly says:

    Thank you Kelly for this devotional…I experienced disappointment last when not receiving a position I’d interviewed for. I sobbed, but the next day I remembered I’m the daughter of a King, and nothing is to great for Him. God’s timing is perfect. Peace and blessings to you.

  13. RITA says:

    I tank you ladies for your courage and strength. I am learning how to be faithful to the Lords timing with Thy will not mine be done. I pray that the Lord will open my ears and eyes and heart so I will be willing and able to have a personal connection with him. I thank you for your sharing as it gave me goosebumps while I read your words. I pray that you find the strength and patience that you need in your trying times.

    In Jesus name Amen

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