It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached,
Mark 15:42
So much of life is lived in a rush. We do everything possible to jam as much into our limited time. We’ve become dependent, dare I say addicted to our phones with calendar and appointment apps to ensure that we don’t miss a single, solidary thing.
We’re afraid that we just might miss out on something. Some event. Some meeting. We want to be early at the grocery store on the day weekly sales start to make sure we get what we need. Or is it more of what we want?
While I wonder if this is actually part of my physical DNA. We practiced this unto perfection in my childhood. Growing up, we never arrived on time. And God forbid, we NEVER EVER NEVER were late. We were always early. No matter how average or important the event or task, we always, always, always left early to make sure that we arrived early.
This came to light on my first date with Mary Ann. I got a lot of odd looks from her family when I arrived 40 minutes early for our date. It also explained why her sister kept going up and down the stairs, into and out of the kitchen. Little did I know that Mary Ann was in the kitchen, in her underwear, and the only way to get back to her bedroom was through the living room. It also explained her mother’s parting words as we left the house. “Well, at least you know he’s interested.”
But now, there’s an official term, added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2013 to explain this worry that something might get by us. It’s FOMA – Fear Of Missing Out. It describes our anxiety that we might miss out on something more interesting. More exciting. More valuable. But unfortunately, we’re stuck somewhere else.
Jesus died somewhere around 3PM[1] on a Friday. And for the Jews, their weekly holy day, their Sabbath, started at dusk on Friday. This meant that everything had to be done before sunset. This put a severe time constraint on getting things done. This meant things had to be completed in a hurry. In a rush.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t handle this kind of time pressure well. It’s one thing if we arrive a few minutes late at a restaurant. Or if dinner comes to the table a few minutes late. But you can’t be late for surgery. You can’t be late for your wedding. You can’t be late for your mother’s funeral.
Taking care of Jesus’ body before sunset was one of those things that had to be done by a certain time. No excuses. No exceptions. No delays. This is what I call, if you will excuse the term, a “drop-dead” date. It had to be done by sunset. Period.
We all have fear of missing something. Being late for something important. What will people think? What will they say?
But God is NEVER late. His will and purposes for us always, always, always comes on schedule. On time. At just the right time.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3
Now, God’s definition of on-time might not be the same as ours. We want it now. We want that prayer answered now. We want that healing now. We want that job now. We need that extra money now. We want that restored relationship now.
While God knows and understands our feelings and desires, he’s moved by something more important. He’s not going to be rushed. He’s not going to move or act until we have arrived at a certain place. And God’s more than willing to wait.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6
Did you see it? When was the right time? When we were powerless. When we’re without strength is exactly the right time. Not before. Not after.
God is never late. He is never pushed. He waits patiently. Sometimes quietly. He waits for us to come to the end of ourselves and arrive at that destination called dependence.
God is never in a rush. He waits for us to slow down, and sometimes even to stop. This allows him to take over. To take control. Have you arrived at dependence? Or are you in a rush?
[1] Matthew 27:46
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