At the Right Time
Galatians 4:4-7 (NLT)
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
When is the right time for anything? Have you ever struggled with that question? I have! You have decided you need to do something, but for whatever reason, the time just doesn't seem right.
Maybe you want to go on that trip you have planned for some time, but a family situation comes along. Maybe you want to ask a certain person out on a date, but then you see them talking to someone else. Maybe you are planning to quit that job you don't like, but there's a project coming up you want to be a part of 1st.
A movie from many years ago, Forrest Gump, had the theme of time and place. It was the story of a character who would find himself involved in a historical and memorable event. He would also meet notable people along the way. I have related to Forrest Gump many times in my life. Here is just one of the times: back in the late 90's I took part in the Vision2000 seminar in Charleston.
I was my home church's new Sun School Superintendent so I took the Sun School workshop. We had to pair off with someone we didn't know and because I was shy, I just sat around and waited for someone to come to me; it didn’t happen.
I saw an older gentleman sitting by himself, and I went over and sat with him. I rode home with my pastor at the time and told him of my experience. He asked if I knew who the gentleman was, and I told him the gentleman's name. He told me the man was the former, and later future, WV Governor Cecil Underwood, and I about went through the floorboard of the car.
Our scripture begins in verse 4: “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.” God knew the right time to send Jesus into the world. It could have been thousands of years earlier, or thousands of years later, like today, but God chose the time he did when the Roman World was about to change.
It was the world people knew at that time. If God had waited too much longer, the writings of the prophets could no longer prove true. They wrote of a Messiah that would be crucified. Years later, Jesus might have been burned at the stake or mauled by lions in the Colosseum.
When is the right time? Another scripture says “For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.”! The right time didn't exist until the time we are getting ready to celebrate; the day Jesus came into this world at Christmas. Since then, every time is the right time. Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
Prayer: God, you have shown us the right time for salvation, now we ask you to show us the right time to reach out to spread your word. It is in your son's name we pray, AMEN!
Maybe you want to go on that trip you have planned for some time, but a family situation comes along. Maybe you want to ask a certain person out on a date, but then you see them talking to someone else. Maybe you are planning to quit that job you don't like, but there's a project coming up you want to be a part of 1st.
I don't know about you, but there seems to be three places I usually am.
To be in the right place at the right time - to be the recipient of good fortune, often accidentally or unintentionally, simply due to one's location and/or timing.
To be in the wrong place at the wrong time - to encounter trouble or misfortune that was not one's fault, but rather was due to unfortunate circumstances, timing, or physical location.
To be in the wrong place at the right time or to be in the right place at the wrong time - to be where one cannot take advantage of an opportunity.
A movie from many years ago, Forrest Gump, had the theme of time and place. It was the story of a character who would find himself involved in a historical and memorable event. He would also meet notable people along the way. I have related to Forrest Gump many times in my life. Here is just one of the times: back in the late 90's I took part in the Vision2000 seminar in Charleston.
I was my home church's new Sun School Superintendent so I took the Sun School workshop. We had to pair off with someone we didn't know and because I was shy, I just sat around and waited for someone to come to me; it didn’t happen.
I saw an older gentleman sitting by himself, and I went over and sat with him. I rode home with my pastor at the time and told him of my experience. He asked if I knew who the gentleman was, and I told him the gentleman's name. He told me the man was the former, and later future, WV Governor Cecil Underwood, and I about went through the floorboard of the car.
Our scripture begins in verse 4: “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.” God knew the right time to send Jesus into the world. It could have been thousands of years earlier, or thousands of years later, like today, but God chose the time he did when the Roman World was about to change.
It was the world people knew at that time. If God had waited too much longer, the writings of the prophets could no longer prove true. They wrote of a Messiah that would be crucified. Years later, Jesus might have been burned at the stake or mauled by lions in the Colosseum.
When is the right time? Another scripture says “For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.”! The right time didn't exist until the time we are getting ready to celebrate; the day Jesus came into this world at Christmas. Since then, every time is the right time. Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
Prayer: God, you have shown us the right time for salvation, now we ask you to show us the right time to reach out to spread your word. It is in your son's name we pray, AMEN!
Kevin Spicer, Bud-Alpoca Community UMC, Bud, WV trurebel@frontiernet.net Certified Lay Minister
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