The Trouble with Our Timeline

by Lexi Morris

“What happens when ‘by now’ becomes ‘not yet’?” 

As I read through my own list of things that often seem delayed in life, I can’t help but remember the times that I have circled a date on my calendar–believing, hoping, and praying that things would quickly change. 

Maybe the healing will come. 

Maybe the door will open.

Maybe the purpose I’ve been seeking will arrive. 

Maybe God would finally answer my prayers with a yes instead of a not yet.

But still, here I am–waiting on most of those self-imposed deadlines. No fulfillments. No big breakthroughs. Just delay, and more delay. 

A few years ago, in my 8 a.m. lecture at Bible College, I remember my professor saying something that stuck with me: “delay is not denial”. Maybe the clock was ticking extra loud that day because we were extra sleepy, but for me the ticking sound of that clock became symbolic. Symbolic of the countless times that I have unintentionally put God in a box, praying that He would work according to my clock. After all, our timelines always seem right at the moment, don't they? If the Lord will move on this certain day, and at this specific time, then our lives will become perfectly fulfilled. 

The question is, how do you respond when God doesn’t seem to work by your schedule? Are you preparing a plan B just in case the Lord doesn’t show up on time? Don’t get me wrong, delayed promises are scary. I’ve been there—the lies of the enemy grow loud when you’re clinging to hope for a blessing that feels delayed. But even if the lies of the enemy seem louder than the voice of God, hold fast because His timeline is perfect. 

A few months ago, I sat on a plane with an anxious heart, all for one reason–I didn’t have control. I tend to get a little anxious when I can’t see what’s happening. I have trouble trusting the pilot, even though they are fully trained and capable men and women who can do their job at ease. That may sound crazy to you, but it's just my instinct. I like to be in control, especially when it comes to my safety. At that moment, it dawned on me: here’s the trouble with my timeline.

I hold on to my future with clenched fists, afraid of letting go. Like every other girl, my dreams are big and I long for them to come true. My desires feel too real and too important to risk the crush of disappointment. But if my fingers are not willing to loosen their grip, how will I allow the Lord to work on something I refuse to surrender? 

The well-known missionary

to India, Amy Charmichael, wrote this: “in acceptance lieth peace”. 

The sweet truth about trusting His timeline is this: we no longer have to figure it out. We can accept His timeline, knowing that “though it tarry, wait for it: because it will surely come.” Habakkuk 2:3

I have come to believe this: If we could see the future He’s preparing, we would give up our timelines in a beautiful exchange for His. 

Sometimes surrender feels like we are giving up hope, but it’s really giving it over–over to the One who is more than able to pilot your plane. May we lose control of our own timeline and cling to His. Our quiet expectations of ‘by now’ may have come and gone, but don’t mistake the “not yet” for rejection. What comfort we have in knowing that our deepest desires are held safe in His care. He is a perfect Father, who takes good pleasure in giving good gifts to His children, but all according to His timeline.