My husband has a carpenter’s chalk line. He rolls it out, squints down its straight line and lifts it slightly between thick fingers, then lets it snap. It leaves a distinct chalk line marking what he needs cut, not cut, lined up or whatever. The mark itself will eventually fade or be covered up, but the purpose for which the measurement was taken will remain in the integrity of his work.
“Before the mountains were brought forth or ever you had formed the earth, and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Ps. 90:2 (ESV)
Everlasting goes both ways. The everlasting-ness of God encompasses history behind and future beyond.
God’s line stretches beyond what I can see, into infinity and as much as humanity expands boundaries, infinity is always beyond my grasp to comprehend.
Our family’s timeline included difficulties, as does everyone’s. In our dark hospital days, when hundreds of people brought our daughter’s name before the throne, I wondered, why doesn’t God do something? While I felt I could not endure another minute of my daughter’s illness, God’s voice remained silent. I pleaded for now, not in five minutes or five hours or five years.
Like David in the Psalms I wondered, Why are you waiting so long?
I walked sterile marble veined hallways and asked for answers.
In an endless journey of day after day, month piled upon month, without change, God’s timeline within Scripture brought light onto the path I walked.
Time and again, woven throughout Scripture, God’s sovereign timetable is visible. From creation He called the light Day, and the darkness Night. “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” Gen. 1:5 (ESV)
He created time, moves it and holds it according to His purpose.
“Take your time God, take all the time you need,” is seldom part of my request. I tend to expect Him to do my bidding and do it quickly.
“For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.” Ps. 90:4 (ESV)
The razor thin line marked for me is just a blimp in a continuum farther back and farther forward than any eye can see. Still God has eternal purpose for my little blimp. I do not have to know all of it, or get all its “why’s.” He works all of time together in ways that never compromise any part of His character. I can’t begin to understand the infinite vastness of it.
He isn’t confined to what I see.
- God chose the longer route (Ex. 13:17) for the Israelites so they would not change their minds and return to Egypt. Time is on His side.
- God reminded his children hundreds of years later of His miracles accomplished as if they had just happened, as if yesterday He parted the waters, as if yesterday He showed His glory to Moses.
- Joseph was in prison 2 years and those years are covered in our Bibles in one verse. They were agonizingly slow and real to Joseph. Yet, God had a plan for his generations to come.
- From the promise of the demise of the Edomites to it’s fulfillment with the death of the last Herod was 600 years.
Who knows the impact of our life, not just within my own needy piece of existence, but for the many others mine ripples, ten years from now, 50, or 100?
“Before the mountains were brought forth or ever you had formed the earth, and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Ps. 90:2 (ESV)
God’s timeline for Moses, Joseph, David, still has purpose. God’s purposes for your life don’t have expiration dates.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Ps. 90:12 (ESV)
The chalk line my husband uses reminds me I am marked by God’s hand and for His purpose. Thanking Him for the past when the future hurts silences mockery that whispers, “Does He care? Does He hear?” Surely the magnitude of “from everlasting to everlasting you are God,” serves to define a purposeful distinction to those called His children.
For He who is Infinite, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, Creator and Sustainer has infinite plans for you.
Ali
Great reminder, especially in this time when so many days slouch by seemingly puposelessly. Thanks!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Ali It is true, the days slouch by, it is easy to let them feel without purpose. Appreciate the comment!
J.D. Wininger
Such a blessing Ms. Sylvia. Your words reminded me of the words of one of my favorite poems, “His Plan for Me.” Thank you so much for reminding us of how important the legacy we leave behind.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you J.D. It’s so true, the legacy left will speak on. Appreciate so much your kind words. Thank you for reading and responding.
Roland Walter
This was so timely for me today. God knew I needed to read it. Thanks.
Sylvia Schroeder
I’m honored. Thanks.
Marcy Giesbrecht
Oh such good thoughts Sylvia!
When I think time is fleeting, He is keeping a steady pace. A cadence of purpose. Yes indeed, I desire my prayers to include, take all the time you need Lord, for you are delighted when I wait for you. 💙
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Marcy. Your words are so good. You should be the writer!! I love “He is keeping a steady pace. A cadence of purpose.” Such great thoughts.
RJ Thesman
Love this tweet “God’s purposes for your life don’t have expiration dates.”
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you RJ. I’m grateful always for an encourager like you!
andrew brucato
never thought of that prayer, “take your time Lord” but how biblical thanks for the reminder!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Andy! Thanks for taking the time to read and I always love your responses!
Jeannie Waters
Sylvia, thank you for transparency, for sharing what we all have in common—an urgency about our requests. You offered insightful biblical perspective. What a thought-provoking sentence: “ Who knows the impact of our life, not just within my own needy piece of existence, but for the many others mine ripples, ten years from now, 50, or 100?” Thank you!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Jeannie. I think I answered you and then cancelled? Sounds like me! Honestly you are such an encourager, and I am so grateful for your response. Thanks!
Katherine Pasour
Thank you for sharing this message of faith and perseverance, Sylvia. I confess to impatience when I don’t feel God is listening or responding. Your scripture is so appropriate to your message and so comforting for a hurting heart.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Katherine. I’m glad you found it helpful. I am also so very guilty of being impatient as well. How easy it is for me to feel like I need answers right away. Thank you for reading and responding!
Kathy
What an encouraging message, Sylvia, and I especially appreciated your comment that “God’s purposes for [my] life don’t have an expiration date!”
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Kathy! I need to remind myself of that too!!
Linda Curtis
Great reminder of God’s promises! It is all about His timing, not ours. Also reminds me of the lyrics “Through It All”
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5
Sylvia Schroeder
Linda, what a lovely reminder of a song I’ve not heard for a while. Love that song! Yes, God’s timing is never off. So great to hear from you. Thanks!
Barbara Latta
We do leave an impact whether good or bad and that’s why it is so important for us to guard our hearts and actions.
Sylvia Schroeder
You are so right Barbara. The impact is there. May we represent well our Savior!
Thanks Barbara. I appreciate your response so much!