The Proper Time.

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV

I want to talk about the proper time part of this verse. I just was texting a friend who was trying to decide if it was time to be done with her job. She feels that God is calling her on to other things. 

So here is the picture I shared with her. You are driving on a long trip. You know your destination is near. You are excited to be able to get out of the car. As you near the big city of your destination there are a number of exit ramps. You could get excited and take the first one but it will not take you directly to your hotel with out having to wander around in a city that you don't know well.  If you had just followed the directions you had to get off at the third exit it would have taken you directly to your destination. 

Sometimes we hesitate and miss the exit ramp that God had for us and find ourselves circling around the entire city again. Feeling like we missed God and have stayed somewhere too long. The exit ramps will come up again be sure to heed the directions of the Lord this time. 

Sometimes the opportunities that God had for us on the last pass around the city have gone to others while who were ready and responded with obedience. It would be good to check in with the Lord to see if you still need the same exit or if the directions are a little different at this point. It is important to be led by the Holy Spirit. 

In the proper time God sent Jesus. He knew from the time that Adam and Eve sinned that he would have to send Jesus. God is much more patient than we are. We want instant quick fixes and generally we have to wait for his timing. 

Today is the Thursday of Easter week. This is the day that the last supper happens. This supper began back with Moses and the people finally being released from Egypt. They were given very specific instructions regarding this supper. They were to celebrate it in remembrance as a lasting ordinance. So Jesus and his disciples prepared to celebrate the passover meal together. 

When they got to the end of the meal. Jesus did things a little different. Luke 22 gives that account.
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Had to be a bit shocking to the people in the room who had celebrated that meal in the same way year after year their whole lives. 

After several thousand years of history God sends his Son. It is at this moment, at the proper time in His story. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV

Going back to the story of Moses for a second. The people could have gone directly to the promised land but because of fear they rebelled. Only Joshua and Caleb, two of the men sent to spy out the land came back with a good report. They are the only two from that generation that was allowed to enter the promised land 40 years later. So as you near your exit ramp don't miss it because of doubt and fear. Even if there seem to be giants and great obstacles in this new place - you serve a big God. He is the God of the universe and those obstacles are not a problem for Him. It is important to follow his directions. You don't want to circle your destination again and again till the next opportunity to obey comes up for you. Sometimes like Israel they had to wander in the desert for 40 years and entering the promised land was given to the next generation after the previous one had all died off. 

Prayer: Lord help us to follow your leading. Help us to look to you and not miss our exit because of doubt and fear. Help us to look to you and not the giants and obstacles  Thank you for your grace when we have missed your direction and for your patiences as we try to get back on track. Help us to repent at this point and lead us to your next assignment.  Those who remain in their present assignment, I ask for your hand of favor to be upon them. I pray that they would grow in wisdom, favor and statue with the people they work with and with you, Lord. Help all of us to be very sensitive to your Holy Spirit and to be quick to obey.