When the Time is Right
2 CORINTHIANS 1:12 - 2:11
(August 27)
Timing is everything! As children, we plot, and we plan when to ask for something special. We wait until that perfect moment when Dad seems to be in a good mood, and Mom looks joyful... then we lay our cards on the table.
I was about eight when Little House on the Prairie first premiered. I couldn't wait for that Tuesday night! The previews were driving me into a fit of excitement. In my mind, Tuesday couldn't come soon enough.
There was just one problem... we only had one television in the house. Tuesday evenings, at the same time as Little House was scheduled, was another weekly show that my dad didn't miss. So, I had myself a dilemma. What to do? What to do?
I decided it would be awesome and amazing if I had my own television in my room. It made perfect sense. I could watch Little House on the Prairie and my dad could watch his program, and we would all be happy campers. (Life is so simple when you are 8.)
The problem was, the timing never seemed right to ask before Tuesday came along. Instead, I convinced my dad to let me watch my show. Things were going great until about an hour before it was scheduled to come on. Something happened and my little smarty mouth got busy. I ended up being sent to my room, thereby missing the premier of my show. MY LIFE WAS OVER!!!!
After a fit of crying, I re-evaluated my situation. I HAD TO HAVE my own tv. I had a week to get this right, or I would be in the same situation again. A couple of days later, the timing seemed to be just right, so I brought up the possibility. My parents listened, never answered me, and I went on my way, feeling unsuccessful.
And what to my wandering eyes should appear? A 13 inch, black and white television of my very own! Hallelujah!! Not only did I see every episode of Little House on the Prairie (more than once), but I also got my first introduction to Arthur Fonzarelli and the rest of the Happy Days gang, (Heeeyyyyy), and fell in love with Starsky and Hutch. What a happy girl I was! And it was all about the timing.
Looking back, I see that I was a little scared to ask. And maybe I never would've asked at all if I hadn't gotten in trouble and missed the premier. That little bit of "suffering" caused me to take action. And when I took action in the right timing, my goal was accomplished.
Paul is telling the believers that it was all about timing for him, too. He had previously told them he would visit again, but he changed his mind. Not because he didn't love them or want to see them, but because he knew he would be harsh with them because of what was going on in the church. He didn't want to bring harshness to them, only joy. So, he decided to postpone his trip until the timing was right, and he could bring joy to their lives.
This didn't mean he was lying when he said he would visit. He assures them he is a man of his word. He also states emphatically that God is true to his word also. His "YES" is yes and his "NO" is no. On that, you can be certain. Paul's word could still be trusted, and the Corinthians could trust him to represent God honestly and sincerely. They could trust him to visit when the time was right for what he hoped to accomplish.