At Just the Right Time

      At this time of year, so many fond memories come flooding back into my mind.  Funny things as well as those touching moments that we hide deep in our hearts.  For example, there was the Christmas when we were eating at my grandparent's home.  Redi Whip was a new product on the market for whipped cream which none of us had ever tried before.  We were seated at the table and my mother decided to add some whipped cream to her pumpkin pie.  My father was seated across from her.  Since this was a new product, she did not know how to get the cream to come out.  She pushed down on the nozzle and instantly covered my father's new suit coat with whipped cream.  She was shocked as was my father and we all had a good laugh!

     Then there was another occasion when my mother had not gotten all of her gifts wrapped before a family get together; so she sat in the back seat of the car and wrapped presents as we drove along.  She stayed in the car until she was done.  Talk about last minute!  This was not the only time this happened and those of us who are busy can most likely relate.  However, God's timing in all things is perfect.  He is never too early and never too late.

     In his letter to the Church at Galatia, Paul wrote these words (Gals. 4:4,5):  "But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law."  We do not know why God chose this time period, but it was right time according to His plan for our salvation.  The long awaited Messiah was born into the world.

     Thirty three years later, God did another amazing thing on our behalf.  Romans 5:5-6 tells us:  "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  He became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God through His sacrifice on the cross.  The entire story of the birth and death of Jesus Christ, our Lord, is all about being "at just the right time."  

     Almost two thousand years later, many are wondering, even as Jesus' disciples did, when will He return?  He is our strength, our hope who will one day rule and reign over our messy, hurting world.  Only the next time He comes, Jesus will not be a babe in a manger but He will return to judge the world as our conquering king.  We do not know when this will take place.  He gave us hints in the Scripture as to what things to look forward to happening but of the exact hour, we do not know.  In 2 Peter 3:8-9, we are told:  "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”   These verses tell me that when the time is just right, our Savior will come again in glory.  Until that time, we are to stand in faith against the wiles of this world.  We are to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, be obedient to His commands and never forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

     While my mother may have been time challenged in wrapping her Christmas gifts, we are to be ready because "at just the right time" Christ will come again for His church.  Like those Bridesmaids in the parable whose lamps were filled with oil and ready for the Bride Groom to come, we must also be ready (Matthew 25:7).  

     On this Christmas, may we find joy in the preparation of our celebration and be ready for our Lord's return at any moment.  He will come like a thief in the night, and we shall be with Him forever.  Selah!