Right Place at the Right Time

My oldest son was intently telling us about a friend of his who received a brand new, free car. It was rewarded to him by the college where he went to school for an accomplishment that didn’t seem to be all that “hard” really. It seemed like he was just “at the right place at the right time.”

Our family was headed out to sing for Jesus. We made preparations the evening before, loaded all seven of us into the van, and left in plenty of time. We were enjoying the beautiful day as we rode along, already singing together, anticipating what God was going to do . . . when Dad says, “Have you seen 43 yet?’ Upon closer investigation it was apparent; we were NOT “at the right place at the right time!” We had made a right instead of a left, and had quite a bit of back tracking to do. Around the twists and curves of the Blue Ridge Parkway we went . . . and, thankfully, we still made it to our destination in plenty of time.

The “right place at the right time.” What do those words mean for those of us who are disciples of Christ? When you take away all the froth and frill, the bottom line is our “right place” is keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. He has been given to us by the Father as a Guide, a Comforter, a Friend. It’s like all of time is a great big panoramic picture. God is the Master artist, taking His brush and the beauty of surrendered lives to continue His mural.

We have the awesome privilege to help Him complete this purpose. He has given us the gifts and abilities that, when surrendered back to Him, will help Him paint His world.

He is only hindered by unwillingness, or disobedience on our part. He will still fulfill His plan, but we hinder Him when we back away from what He has called us to do – or when we put our own plans and wishes above His.

When we know what He has called us to, doing it will put us “in the right place at the right time.” Moses was called to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. At first he saw all of his own inadequacies and failures, not sure that God had chosen the right man. God is God. He knew Moses inside and out. He knew his human frailty. As one writer put it, “How much eloquence would He (God) have needed to furnish him for his mission? The answer is, without God no amount of human eloquence would have availed; but with God the merest stammerer would have proved an efficient minister.”

We must not shrink back from where He is leading, or rush on ahead in eagerness of a fleshly spirit, but stay steady, keeping step with Him and fulfilling His will and purpose in our lives daily.

Let Him paint His mural through you! It’s an awesome life to live! Walking in His Spirit keeps us in “the right place, at the right time!”

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Galatians 5:16)