Seasons of Life: God’s Timing is Everything

Most of us have heard or read the verse, “My times are in Your hand” ( Psalm 31:15a). What does this really me? To begin with it’s all about God’s timing not ours. 

Yet when things don’t go according to our timetable we become confused, frustrated, and even question God. We must remember, God definitely has a plan for our lives. We live on His timetable, not ours.

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). It’s all about God’s timing.

God offers much wisdom in the saying, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

The first question is, “What are the seasons of life?” In this context the seasons of life represent the duration of things. Clearly, the timing of these seasons are predetermined by God.

Now many seasons of life are fixed and play out according to God’s plan. From birth all the way to death we go through specific seasons.

For instance, seasons of childhood and learning about the world.  Then seasons of marriage and raising children. Still to follow is seasons of empty nesting. Lastly, a season of aging and death.

It is not in our power to change what is appointed for us from birth all the way till our death. God and God alone sets these appointed seasons and the timetable when they occur.

However, because God gave mankind freedom to choose, we also experience seasons based on our free will.  For example, “A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:2b).

Such as making choices to build a business or a career.  Or even literally farm our own land. As a result, we reap the benefits of our endeavors.

To elaborate, according to Ecclesiastes 3:3, (other seasons based on our free will), “A time to break down, and a time to build up,” such as improving our households with remodeling projects or building new homes.

Solomon goes on to mention, “A time to gain, and a time lose” (Ecclesiastes 3:3). This can be demonstrated by our financial affairs.

There will be times of plenty. Then there will be times of less to times of little. Again, a result of the choices we have made whether wise or unwise.

Then there will be decisions made by a small minority for the large majority. “A time of war and a time of peace” (Ecclesiastes 3: 8b). History has seasons of wars and seasons of peace.

The average citizen has no control over the timing or duration of wars. The end result, wars affect societies by rearranging lives.

Another question that frequents our minds is God’s timing. We get tripped up when we don’t like God’s timing. Or we resist it.

It is not in our power to determine the timing of things. Besides we can rest in the fact that God does answer our prayers. Remember the three ways; yes, no, and wait.

No one can grasp what God does, He is sovereign. So even during the seasons of our choices we must submit to God’s timing. Additionally, not knowing God’s timing can protect us.

More importantly, not knowing God’s timing encourages us to walk by faith (Hebrews 10:38a – “The just shall live by faith”).

“And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2b).

The right activity at the right time (God’s timing) will bring about God’s purposes. Thus His plans for us and the world at large will stand.

And let us not forget, God’s time is eternal. We need to keep an eternal perspective.

Thus regardless of the timing, our goal should be to fit into God’s plan while occupying the different seasons of our lives.

To sum up, “Our times are truly in His hands.”

“He has made everything beautiful in His time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).