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Work in the Appointed Time
“My appointed time draws near,” is a phrase that has ALWAYS stuck with me. The Lord works
in His time, not ours. I type this as an engaged soon-to- be-Bride about 6 months away from my Wedding, and I cannot help but smile a wry smile. When I volunteered for this study, my first thought was “Oh MAN, working in and with the Lord’s appointed time? That’s something I can relate to struggling with,” and I put my name next to the study. I’m sure some of you can relate.
I’m a very type-a, typically hyper-organized person, who has a hard time NOT knowing the who, what, when, where, why, and/or how of a situation. The Lord knew His appointed time was coming, and wanted to have the Apostles prepare for it, for their own sake as well as for His. The Lord knew what was coming for Him, but He didn’t flee. He did what His father, our Father, had in store. He knew He was eating his last meal with not only His beloved apostles, but with His very own betrayer.
How many of us have such an open and willing heart to accept whatever it is that the Lord has planned for us? We don’t even know what He possibly has in store for us, and for some of us that makes our hearts a little scared to give in. Some of us may find it easier to not know, but either way His divine plan for us is something we can only learn as it unfolds.
This unknowing was something I greatly struggled with in the years before my fiancé and I got engaged. As it stands, not knowing the how/when of our engagement would take place made it one of the most special moments of our lives. Getting engaged when we did meant we are in a much more mature and emotionally appropriate space to take this huge step together than we would have, had we gotten engaged any sooner. My point here is to say that the Lord always knew when we were getting married, He knew our intentions and plans and feelings and thoughts before we could have even had them. He knew I was struggling with impatience, but as I prayed for grace, He helped me trust in His goodness and His plans for us. I even went so far as going through a Consecration class with Heart of Mary, and praying through that consecration was the biggest way to take the weight off my shoulders.
I’m not saying that I didn’t get a creeping mean bud of impatience sometimes, but even now, as my wedding day draws closer and closer and preparations get put ON the to-do list, then checked off, I find grace in planning and doing even the smallest wedding-related tasks together.
We have no idea what the Lord has in store for us, but for someone struggling with not knowing the who/when/where/why/how of things, offering it up and trusting in His love and grace is an immense help.
Reflect: When do you most struggle with the Lord’s timing and plans? Is it with
school, or work? Personal goals? What can you do as this Lenten season comes to a close to prepare your heart for the Lord’s resurrection?
Act: Say a prayer for patience, grace, and trust in the Lord’s plan for you. If this isn’t an area in which you struggle, pray for someone who may be struggling with discernment.
