Negotiating Transition: Timing is Everything

Timing is everything might sound a little cliché, but it is never more important than during a time of transition. Many individuals have delayed God’s plan for their lives because of improper timing. Some have questioned their ability to hear God clearly because when they acted on what they thought God was saying, nothing seemed to happen.

Most of the time when God speaks to us concerning our lives or ministry He does not give us a detailed calendar highlighting the specific dates of transition. Usually God reveals what He wants us to do but then we must wait in His presence until we know the proper time to act on what He said. It is during this time of waiting that we can become impatient either because of outward pressures or our own need to press forward with our agenda.

Eccl. 3:1 from God’s Word translation reads – Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven:

We must understand that God’s timing is interwoven with God’s will. To move out of God’s timing is to move out of God’s will. That is why many people fail or never experience God’s best in life or ministry. You may know what God wants you to do, but even more important is to determine when God wants you to act on what He said.

I remember a great minister once said that he would rather be a few steps behind the Lord rather than moving ahead of His leading. When you are ahead of the Lord you are no longer walking in His light, you are making your own pathway. Unfortunately, we can not see all the pitfalls and difficulties that lay ahead of us, only the Holy Spirit can show us things to come. It is human nature to want to try to help God work out His plan in our lives and ministries.

Eph. 6:10 says – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

This scripture implies that we can be strong in our own ability. There is a place for natural wisdom and strength. However, God’s assignment requires wisdom and strength that exceeds what we can produce. The reason many people fail or never do discover God’s best for their lives is because they are attempting to do everything with their own strength and relying too much on their own wisdom. Paul said in

1 Cor. 2:4 – And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Notice, there is an enticing element that accompanies human wisdom. However, it is only through the Holy Spirit’s ability that true and lasting change takes place.

Remember, during a time of transition; stay steady until you get the proper timing from the Lord to move forward. The Holy Spirit will witness with your spirit when the time is right. Then when you act you will experience the full anointing and blessing of God to accomplish His will.

Transition times can be challenging times. However, when we take time to hear the voice of God clearly speaking to us and follow His pathway, we can be assured that He will lead us into the full counsel of His will and into a life of blessing, fulfillment and significance.