God Makes All Things Beautiful In His Time
LENT 2025 DEVOTIONAL:
John 7:1-31 (NIV)
(Audrey Ng, Chairperson, Children’s Ministry)
From John 7:6-8, Jesus explained that the time had not yet come for him to reveal Himself. He also said the same thing to His mother in John 2 before turning water into wine. Jesus knew the will and plans of God and He also knew that there was a time for everything. He was working on a divine schedule and He was managing the pace at which people would be confronted with the reality of who He was.
A recent example of God’s divine timing to me was in the running of our inaugural combined Children’s Ministry (CM) camp in December 2024. Two annual camps for 155 children (preschool camp and primary level camp) were only possible with the support of an intergenerational team of CM and Between ministry teachers, and an army of tweens and youths who have stepped up in increasing numbers over the last three years. The tweens and youth made up more than half of the volunteers at the camp, enabling intergenerational discipleship to take place and injecting exciting elements into the camp games!
I have learnt that, in God’s time, He will raise up workers to carry out His plans. Sometimes when I get a glimpse of His next new and exciting plan, the thought of additional resources required makes me anxious, but He has shown me that He will provide the resources in His time, and He will confirm the time for His plans through corporate agreement and wisdom.
I pray that as God reveals His good plans for my career, family and in His ministry, I will act according to His divine schedule, wait expectantly and patiently for Him to “make the way” and not run ahead or become frustrated at long runways. Waiting on God’s timing builds patience, trust, and reliance on Him. He makes all things beautiful in his time (Ecc 3:11).
Reflection Questions:
1. We believe God’s timing is perfect, but sometimes we get frustrated while waiting. Is there a plan that God is asking you to wait for according to His perfect timing?
2. What can you do or work on while waiting?
3. How are you preparing yourself, your family, your church ministry or small group to fulfil the plan which He has revealed to you in line with Discipleship in Society this year?
