1 Timothy 2:5-6 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
Throughout scripture God shows the importance of not only His plan, but also Him timing. Noah was told to start on the ark just in time to have it ready for the flood. Joseph was sold into slavery in time for him to rise to power in Egypt in order to save his family from the famine. Jesus did not start his public ministry until his time had come. Jesus did not go to Lazrus' grave until enough time had passed to assure all onlookers that Lazarus was indeed dead.
Christ death on the cross came at exactly the time preordained by God in eternity past.
It can be very hard to wait on God's time table. Select a spouse too soon. Make an investment before enough time in prayer. Abandon a ministry that it not yielding fruit fast enough. Impatience.
But on the other side of timing, a Christian must be willing to act when the God-appointed time has arrived. When God says, "Go", then GO! If God commands, "Do", then DO! Inaction can be as much a sin as improper action. Sin is any disobedience to God's command.
The tricky part is having that assurance of not only what, but when. The right action can be the wrong time. (But does doing it at the wrong time make is the wrong action? Hmmm. . .) But the wrong action can never be at the right time.
Diligent, fevent prayer is the most important means by which we can determine the when and what. But meditation and Bible study are also necessary to making God-pleasing decisions. In addition to these solitary actions, I believe seeking Godly counsel is not only wise, but scripturally sound.
Finally, God has given each of us the ability to read, research and study. I don't believe it is wrong to allow Google, the Wall Street Journal or professional publications to help guide our decisions, but those are very much secondary resources when compared to God's guidance.
Wait on the Lord and wait in the Lord, but act when He says, "act". If we don't follow His guidance, why ask for it?
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