For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

— Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Have you ever been too short to ride a rollercoaster? Or do you remember what it was like being a kid and daydreaming about getting married and having your own family? Those are not uncommon things. Actually wishing you were further along in life is part of the human condition. But why don’t we just let little kids ride rollercoasters? Why don’t we let 11-year-olds get married? Those things are dangerous, life-threatening, and unacceptable. Tell me I am wrong.

Wishing you were ready doesn’t make you ready. And trying to skip ahead can actually put you in a very dangerous situation. In our fast-paced world, it can be difficult to wait for things to happen in their own time. We may have our own plans and expectations, but God’s timing is often different from our own. Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 reminds us that there is a time and a season for everything, and that patience involves recognizing and trusting in God’s timing.

Trusting in God’s timing requires us to let go of our own plans and desires and surrender them to Him. We may have our own timetable for when we want things to happen, but God sees the bigger picture and knows what is best for us. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” As we trust in God’s timing, we can confidently believe He is guiding us in the right direction.

It’s also important to remember that waiting on God doesn’t mean doing nothing. While we wait for His timing, we can actively seek His will and direction for our lives. We can pray, read the Bible, and serve others. We can trust that God is working all things together for our good, and that He will use every season of our lives for His glory.

Prayer:
Father, help us to trust in your timing and plan for our lives, even when it’s hard to wait. Give us the patience to let go of our own plans and desires and surrender them to you. As we wait, help us to seek your will and direction for our lives. Thank you for your love and guidance and for working all things together for our good and your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.