The What and the When

 

The What and the When

 

by Colin Wilson

 

 

In the middle of a (longish) piece equating the dynamics faced by "spiritual pioneers" with the situation(s) facing the early American frontiersmen I read the following - 

 

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A sense of proper timing is a very important part of being a revival pioneer. Depending upon the place of their departure, the early pioneer bands had to leave in time to get over the great western mountain ranges before the first snowfall. Physical strength and abundant resources could not make up for a lack of proper timing and foresight. The pioneers of revival MUST likewise discern the Spiritual seasons correctly if they are to enter into their manifest destiny. The very calling and purpose of a pioneer demands that he GO out early rather than late! He has a farseeing eye and therefore doesn’t wait until everything is neatly established and nailed into place. Spiritual procrastination is the pioneer’s deadliest enemy. Proper timing often means the difference between becoming a revival participant or merely a religious spectator.

 

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"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail." Hab 2:3a

 

I often find myself saying, and reminding myself, that: "The right thing at the wrong time, becomes the wrong thing."

 

Scripture is shot through with examples of pilgrims and prophets who had to "wait" for God's purposes to mature and manifest.

 

David had to wait until Saul died. The transition from  (a God-forsaking) Saul to a (God-appointed) David was dependant on a process - ultimately resulting in Saul's death.

And I believe that we are in a similar "waiting period" at the moment. Not that there is nothing happening - indeed in the spiritual world I believe much is. It's just that we are required to "wait and see" rather than take any precipitate action. And perhaps that is the most difficult thing.

 

"Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." Hab 2:3b

 

But then when we do sense the move OF the Spirit we need to move WITH the Spirit in order to be carried along BY the Spirit.

 

To change the metaphor, the board surfer must lie out in the deep waters riding the swell, But as soon as he senses in a passing swell the early signs of  a "big breaker" developing, he needs to - in the first instance - start paddling.

Too soon and he will exhaust himself ahead of the wave, too late and it will get away from him. The trick is to start (in his own strenght) moving with the swell and then (when mounted on the moving board as the wave develops) be propelled by the force of the huge breaker.