“Dear woman, why do you involve me?†Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.†John 2:4 (NIV)
This verse has been swirling around in my spirit for several weeks now. The recounting of this story in John includes the statement that this was the beginning of the miraculous signs in Jesus’ ministry and that it revealed Jesus’ glory and his disciples put their faith in him. What happened in Jesus’ life between age 12 (at the temple) and age 30 in Cana? Scripture doesn’t tell us although commentators have written reams of suppositions. We might be able to say with some certainty that Jesus was in “a time of preparationâ€.
As I read this Scripture again my eyes were drawn to the jars that were standing empty over by a wall. Jesus told the servants to “Fill them with water†(John 2:7). It spoke to me that I might be an empty jar in need of a filling of His Living Water. Jesus desires to fill me and change me miraculously into something He can use. I am in a time of preparation in my life. It has felt like was just sitting against the wall; filled only with water. It has felt like I am waiting and waiting for …
My time has not yet come in this season of my life but the preparation time has come and it is not to be wasted and it is very important! I am learning so much as I spend time with God. He sends me teachers and then meets with me to study and discern with Him what I am to learn from His lessons. It is a time of listening and exercising the lessons that God is teaching me. It is a time to “be still and know that I AM GOD†(Psalm 46:10)!
Whatever the season of our lives, God has a perfect plan and He knows the perfect time. Each season, like the seasons we see in nature, has a purpose. The snow of winter provides a time to collect moisture after the heat of a refining summer and winter also gives a time of hibernation/rest. Fall is the end of one life cycle while spring shows us the beginning of life. God created and has control of our seasons – in the fields and in our lives. It is my choice to seek God’s vision for the seasons. It is for me choose to walk in God’s timing through the seasons and learn from them, using them for His glory OR stagger in confusion, even arrogance, moving out of His time, missing opportunities, missing His blessings.
But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.†My times are in your hands… Psalm 31:14-15 (NIV)
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.†Revelation 22:12-16 (NIV)
