Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verses 1-8, and 11 reads:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace... He hath made every thing beautiful in His time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Many of you are familiar with the phrase, God's timing is perfect. However, most of you like me have at some point or another found yourself scratching your head pondering whether or not it's really true. I have been guilty of doing a lot of that recently, of wondering whether God's timing really is perfect. It seems like lately I have questioned God concerning all of the things that are currently taking place in my life. I've questioned Him over my living situation, I've questioned Him over my finances, I've questioned Him over my relationship status, I've questioned Him over my major, I've questioned Him over my career/future workplace. It seems like anything and everything have been brought before the throne room and it's just me and Jesus chatting about Hailey Brogle's life. Lord, what's my future going to look like in the next 10 years? God, why hasn't this happened yet? Lord, are you sure you know what is best for me? Are you sure I'm doing the right thing or this is where You want me to be... and if so, why? Why am I here God because sometimes I just feel stuck.
And maybe that's how you feel too friend. Maybe you are questioning God about something, maybe you are waiting on Him concerning something and it just seems like the answers He is giving you aren't the ones you want to hear. Well, I have news for you bud, you're not the only one. Welcome to the "Lord, are You sure You know what You're doing? Club" Pull up a chair and get cozy.
One day as I was having one of these questioning God moments, I noticed a rose bush outside our house. I took a picture of it, and the verse Ecclesiastes 3:11 came to my mind, "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time..." I looked at that rose bush, and appreciated its beauty. It was big and full, and the blooms were huge. It was untouched by the June bugs and on this day in particular greatly stood out to me. It was a picture of God's grace and beauty. It was as if God was trying to get my attention. Look at this rose bush Hailey, do you see its beauty? Do you see its blooms? Do you not know that I have made every thing beautiful in its time? Do you not understand that I will do the same for you? Every thing, every thing has a purpose, every thing has a plan. I will not leave you high and dry, I promise you. Just trust me.
Which if I'm being honest at that moment in time, every thing did not feel beautiful. It seemed really difficult to trust God then and to this day at times still isn't easy. There are so many unknowns and so many uncharted territories in life that it's easy to believe God's timing is insufficient. It's as if His directions, His leadings are off course, or He doesn't know what's best. When compared with the bleak surroundings of our circumstances, the promises of God grow grayer and grayer. However, fortunately for us God is not a God of circumstance. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever (Heb 13:8). His character is unwavering, His heart towards us is always good. He's not corrupt, He's not the problem, He's the solution, and we're the troubled ones. We are the ones with the issue. You know the best thing we can do when we get to those places in our lives where we start pin-pointing our problems on God is to humble ourselves before Him and acknowledge Jesus Christ for the person that HE is. He is Lord, and we are not. He is holy and blameless and pure and good and we are anything but. He works all things together for our good according to His will (see Romans 8:27-28). Does that mean that at times life won't suck? Of course not! Many of times life will in fact not be pleasant. Many of times you're going to be faced with challenges that are unsettling, uncomfortable, and unforeseeable. But you know what? It's for your own good. The purpose behind the pain is to conform you to be like Christ (Romans 8: 29). We would do well to remember that.
So, I'll leave you with this poem. My cousin Hannah sent this to me one day when I was going through a rough patch and it is something that has always stuck with me.
When you are scared, frustrated, apprehensive, & nervous about the future just remember, He has made every thing beautiful in his time. He's not going to fail you.
(As a side note, when I came inside this evening, I noticed my mom had plucked a few branches of that rose bush off and put them in a vase on our kitchen table. Just another small reminder that God's timing is golden, and He is still good.)
--Hailey Renee
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