What a day today has been. Yesterday I felt the Holy Spirit challenge me on speaking light & joyfully praying for my brothers & sisters. Today Jesus challenged me deeply again with something else.
Is it just me or is it the same with you. Why does God call you, ask you or give you something new from Him when the time is "not"right. Teresa (my wife) & I had a great long 3 hour conversation. Near the end of our conversation I felt like she was challenging me with something. My devotional today gave me these verses: Matthew 4:18-21 & Ecclesiastes 4:11.
As Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake because they were fisherman. Jesus said, "Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people."So Simon and Peter immediately left their nets and followed Him...he saw two brothers, James and John son of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus told them to come with Him. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and they followed Jesus.
Matthew 4:18-22 New Century Version
As a Christian I know that this is true, that God is good al the time (Mark 10:18, James 1:17) But many times I have complained to God because His timing just doesn't seem right for me or others around me. But, I also know that His timing is perfect because He is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
Also, "Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; those who look at every cloud will never harvest crops...In the same way you don't know what God is doing" Ecclesiastes 11:4-5b
After reading this I realize that if these 4 disciples had told Jesus that they were very thankful for Him asking them to do what He asked, but were busy or the timing was not good for them based on their lives at that moment. They would have completely missed the life that they did get to experience because they "immediately" responded to His call. Ecclesiastes clearly says that if you are waiting & watching for the perfect time. You will never find it & will miss out on His plans. God will do what He has planned with us or without us. Really, the only ones to miss out on the amazing joy (life) He asks us to be part of is us.
God is challenging me to not say, "no thanks Jesus the timing is not right for me." I need to be open & willing to His will always because I am His child.
