Watching the clock

I’m not one to wait excessively well.  (Just ask Bob.)  Especially if I have somewhere I need to be at a particular time, like showing up for a party “on time” is one thing, but showing up for work “on time” is something else.  I’m seriously time-oriented, and if there has been one sticking point in our marriage, lo these many years, it invariably has to do with time management.  To me, the clock tends to be a mandate; to my husband, it’s merely a suggestion…

So, in a sense I tend to relate to the disciples waiting on Jesus to arrive at the boat for their departure to the next place of ministry.  I can only imagine what possessed them to be so impatient as to leave the Main Attraction behind while they shoved off to Capernaum.  (I just have to wonder if impulsive Peter was involved in that decision—bless his heart). 

“That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him.  But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.  Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough.”

Why didn’t they wait for Jesus?  Jesus most likely knew there was a storm brewing, and was biding His time for it to blow over.  Waiting for Him and submitting (great word) to His timing could have actually prevented them getting caught in the storm. 

Submission  Prevention.

Now there’s an interesting concept. 

Even so, Jesus is capable of redeeming even our impetuous mistakes.  I’m pretty confident He knew in advance that His crew of soon-to-be apostles were going to launch out on their own, naturally with good intentions and all.  (Naturally…)  And as always, He was neither surprised nor unprepared to turn it to their good and to His glory.

“They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here’ Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!”

I have heard it quoted that “God is rarely early, but He’s always on time.”  His time, that is…

John 6:16-21  Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.