July 25

Timeliness

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: — Eccl 3:1 BSB

Do not rush. There is time for everything that needs to be done. The One who gave you your life’s work has also given you the exact amount of time to accomplish it. The length of life’s candle is measured to fit the length of your task. You must take time for reflection, for sleep, for nourishment, and for the enjoyment of love and friendship. Even then, there will still be enough time for your essential duties. “More haste, less speed!” The hurried hand often creates more work for itself. “He that believeth shall not make haste.”

Do not be impatient. God, who created you, has prepared the steps you must take to reach your full human development. He knows what you need and will bring you to it, but you must wait for His timing. With God, a thousand years are as a single day, and a day can be as a thousand years. He can bring things to fruition with astonishing speed, and He will perfect what concerns you, ensuring that no good thing is withheld. Just as God feeds the wild creatures of the prairie and forest, providing exactly what they need, He will not fail you. The Creator is faithful to His creation.

Do not be discouraged. Sorrow and trials last only for a season. They pass, just as winter gives way to spring. God places bright and beautiful moments in our lives, which we should not be afraid to enjoy, provided we do not grasp at them for selfish pleasure. Everything is beautiful in its own time, and every day contains some element of goodness. But we often miss the beauty around us because we are too focused on distant goals.

God is present in everything; find Him there! “Every good gift is from the Father of lights.” His gifts were created to be received with gratitude, and the altar sanctifies the gift. It is only when we sever God’s gifts from the Giver that they cause harm (Ecclesiastes 3:13).

God has placed eternity in our hearts, and nothing in this temporal world can satisfy the infinite longing of our souls (Ecclesiastes 3:11, R.V. marg.).

Prayer

Let Your grace overflow toward us, so that we may have everything we need in all situations and excel in every good work. Help us to fulfill all the duties and responsibilities this day brings. Amen.