The Right Time

                 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

Timing is everything. Actors, comedians, magicians, cooks, athletes, writers, and gardeners all agree. If you do something too quickly, too early, too slowly, or too late, something is likely to not work out well. Cross the finish line in a race after someone else has and you’ve lost the race. Put anything in the oven for too long, and it’s extra-crispy. People aren’t likely to ask you for your recipe.

Part of the problem is that those who don’t have the big picture, or who aren’t aware of the intricate details, are likely to be unhappy with the schedule.

What’s the holdup?

Couldn’t you have waited for me?

                What’s your hurry?

                Wait, wasn’t that supposed to be next Friday?

                Are we there yet?

Quite honestly, we don’t know why God waited until He did before sending Jesus. We assume He could have manipulated things to make everything be “right” any time He wanted. And, I’ve no doubt He could have. But He chose not to. The thing is, no matter when God chose as the right time, people would complain. If they weren’t disgruntled about the timing, they would be about the method. Nothing God does or did receives universal approval. But that doesn’t mean He’s wrong. It means we either don’t understand or aren’t happy so long as He is God and we are not. We cannot see all the pieces of the puzzle and don’t really even know what it’s supposed to look like, but we’re sure that “this piece” should have gone “here” – wherever “here” is.

I think part of the answer is the issue of legal evidence. It must be shown that man can’t do it on his own. It must be shown that even with rules provided, man can’t make it on his own. Only when it is legally established that we have a need for help can the legal help be provided. Every possible solution has been or will be tried and used as the evidence will we really be able to judge between God’s perspective of “right time” and ours?