As the years pass by and time ticks on, God’s orchestration of every aspect of our lives becomes more evident. As time passes it reveals things about our lives we didn’t notice before; in the moment. It takes presence to notice absence, darkness to appreciate light and time to recognize change. It’s like reading a book and not realizing the seemingly unimportant details at the beginning are actually very significant at the end. Each chapter has a purpose, and each event plays a role. As a writer, I’ve learned that nothing an author writes should be insignificant or hold the story back from progressing. And that’s exactly how God, the greatest author and Creator of all life, writes. Nothing happens just to meet the word count or produce more pages—it all serves a purpose.
The notion of time is something that is constantly discussed, whether in the context of fear, worry, uncertainty, or excitement and savoring every moment. People say it’s not fun getting old; enjoy your childhood and don’t rush the time you’ve been given. Enjoy each year as they come and go, and make the most of your present age. Be patient, and enjoy the “now” rather than the “not yet.” I believe that to be true and something to never take for granted, but I also have seen that as time goes on, it offers something very special: the ability to look in the rear view mirror of life and see the ways the Lord was working. To be amazed and grateful, and see that your past uncertainty was really a beauty in the making. Over time, your disappointment, rejection, and uncertainty turned into your satisfaction, acceptance, and confidence.
Recently, the view I have through the Rear view mirror of my life has revealed to me many ways the Lord has worked. I’ve noticed how He places everything I need in my life at exactly the right time, opening doors, creating opportunities and providing perfect placement not even I considered or thought possible. But with God, truly anything is possible; “anything” meaning even the things my mind could never come up with, understand, plan out or put into action.
Taking time to look in the rear view mirror not only lets you see how the Lord has worked things out, but it’s realizing there’s so much more you don’t realize, and probably will never know. And that’s just one more beautiful thing about God: even when you can’t see everything He’s done, you still know He’s working. And as time carries on and the hours turn into days and the days into weeks and the weeks stretch into months, we get to look back and marvel at how all along our “mess” of a situation was actually perfectly aligned with the plans God had for you, all along.
This summer has been one of new beginnings and accomplishments I thought might never happen. It’s only because of Christ that I sit here now, reflecting on the past weeks, months and years and rejoice in seeing how the Lord has provided, time and time again. He’s placed exactly who and what I need in my life, at exactly the right time.
In July, I had set ambitious goals to finish editing my book and send it to beta readers by the month’s end. The writing camp I am a part of runs during that month, and the Lord provided me with a job that gave me flexibility to be a part of that camp and accomplish that goal (my book is being READ by OTHER PEOPLE!!). As soon as I sent my book to beta readers, I got the opportunity to start an internship with a publishing company (something I am super stoked about!) and something I can have time to do now that my book is where it’s at. When July ended and the summer job I had slowed to a stop, I got hired at another job I applied for–exactly the kind of job I was looking for–to have during the school-year. All of that, and so much more, and I have my Creator to thank.
God’s timing is flawless; beyond my control and for that I am thankful. No matter where the future takes me and what paths I stumble down and the difficulties and disappointments I encounter, I can always choose to look back and be grateful. Because even when we do not see the reason, God does, and that’s where my faith lies: in the hands of my Maker.
Dear reader, perhaps when you look in the rear view mirror of your life, everything seems foggy, dirty, and difficult to understand. Maybe it’s a challenge to see how the Lord has worked in your life, or what He’s planning to do with all the events that have led up to where you are now. My encouragement to you today is this: on the good days and the bad, when it’s easy and when it’s not, find joy in the chaos—the things to be grateful for even when it feels like everything around you is falling apart, and there isn’t anything left to be grateful for. God created you for a purpose and a reason and isn’t finished with you. Whether He reveals His reasons or not, His plan is always divine. And we can rest in that: the God of the universe, who spoke everything into being, holds and values your life.
“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NASB
Let’s talk! How have you seen the Lord working in your life? What’s some of the highlights from your summer?
SHINE ON,
BROOKLYN
