Not Yet Time

[0:00] A Pastor's Reflections, Not Yet Time, Genesis 29, 7. And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together. Water you the sheep, and go and feed them. Ecclesiastes 3, 1. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Luke 10, 2. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. In Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon is good enough to remind us that our lives are made up of many different times and seasons. None of us can expect to live lives that are unchanging and unvarying in their existence. We know there will be seasons of growth and seasons of contraction. We know we will have seasons of joy and seasons of sorrow.

[0:58] This is the normal and expected course of life. What we also know is that the life of faith is made up of its own times and seasons.

[1:09] Once we are in Christ, our lives take upon them a whole new aspect that is no longer ruled by the courses and seasons of our natural lives. 2 Corinthians 5, 17 and 18 Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new, and all things are of God. In this new state of spiritual existence, we are no longer to be the interpreters of our times and seasons. Being no longer led by the flesh, we are now relying on something other than ourselves to understand our new and glorious life of faith. It is the Spirit that gives life, and it is the Spirit that is also to lead our lives.

[1:53] The struggle for us is the constant need to reconcile our mind to the mind of Christ. What season are we in? Only the mind of Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the influence of the Word of God, has the capacity to answer that question. As we allow our perspective to be shaped by the Spirit, we begin to realize that the desires we have for ourselves may be in stark contrast to the season of faith we are in. I want a season of rest, but the Word tells me I am in a season of labor. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great. Luke 10.2. I want a season of joy and rejoicing, but the Word tells me I am in a season of sorrow. Weeping may endure for a night.

[2:43] Psalm 30.5. I want a season of comfort and ease, but the Word tells me it is not yet time to be clothed in comfort. But what went you out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. Matthew 11.8-9. Jesus did not promise his followers seasons of comfort and ease, but he did promise them that in all seasons he would be with them. Matthew 28.20. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. And he promised that in all seasons he had already overcome. John 16.33. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. For you and I, we are always in a state of needing to set aside our own timing and to embrace the season of the Spirit that we are in. Yes, we are in a season of labor, but the work is not hard. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11.30. Yes, we are in a season of sorrow, but we have hope that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4.13. And yes, it is not yet a season of being clothed in comfort, but our work itself is a comfort. That we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1.4. Let the Holy Spirit and the Word of God speak to you today regarding the season you are in. And be okay when you are told that it is not yet time for what you were expecting and hoping for, but also know that all of your hopes and expectations will have their season. Luke 4.20-21. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister and sat down.

[4:52] And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Father, we do not like to hear the word no, or to be told not yet. We want to know when and how and where all of our expectations are going to be realized. Remind us today that in every season of life and faith, our expectations are satisfied only in you. Amen.