John 7:6

So Jesus responds to their suggestion by saying, “Listen, brothers, don’t be so quick to send me off into harm’s way.  Though you may think any time is right for this, I happen to know this is not yet the right time for me.”  John 7:6 EFP 

“Anytime is the right time for you….”  Those are some telling words.  It’s sad to think his brothers are so cavalier about sending their brother off into the gauntlet.  But there is something to be learned here about the way Jesus perceives his life’s mission.  It is about following his Father’s lead.  It is about timing.

I am afraid I am more like Jesus’ brother than I want to admit during the course of a typical day.  In hindsight there have been plenty of moments in my life that fit the bill of “anytime is the right time.”  I can see myself running off to something without giving thought to the timing, or without considering what God wants me to do.  How many times have I acted out of expediency or worse, selfishness, when the result would have been totally different if I had just stopped to consider what God’s will or timing was?  I’m sorry, Lord, for those moments.  Teach me today to give deference to your timing—it is always perfect.