The Appointed Time
Throughout scripture this phrase is repeated. It speaks of a season more than an event. But it has impact upon events. It is an appointed date on a calendar, but it only happens at the fulfillment of an appropriate season.
Genesis 1:2 talks about the Spirit of God hovering, or brooding over the waters. The image is that of a mother bird nesting and incubating eggs. When the time of development has been completed, the young bird breaks through the shell. James 1:3-4 says ‘because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Here is the process of development, and when completed, at the appointed time, ‘break-out’ occurs.
Premature birth creates complications. Aborted vision is tragic. Paul tells Timothy (and us) that Hymenaeus and Alexander made shipwreck of their faith because they rejected the working of God (1Tim1:18-20). It appears they broke ranks with what God was incubating in their lives. It does not indicate they were never disciples, but rather they were disciples who lost their faith. Disappointments with the outcome of circumstances can cause any of us to question why God allows such things. It can even cause us to question God himself. Jesus said in Matt 11:6, ‘Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” If any had reason to question God’s calling, and the implication of the outcome, it was John. God’s purposes for John were not anticipated. Disappointment and shattered expectations were real emotions for John as he sat in the prison. He could have aborted the vision, got swallowed up in disillusionment, and lost faith in God’s plan. Although the outcome did not change and he was still executed. He was however, not just another victim of a corrupt system. He realized he was an intricate and critical part of God’s overall design. The bigger picture was hatching. At the appointed time Jesus steps into His appointed place.
Make no mistake, extreme leadership is incubated and hatched in extreme conditions. The challenge? Don’t loose sight of the bigger picture. Don’t abort the vision prematurely. At the appointed time, when development is completed, breakout from the surrounding shell happens. All around us, our world is desperate for leaders who have been fully incubated and matured. Allow me to speak a word of encouragement to leaders in the incubator. All of us will appreciate the leader who has the endurance to outlast circumstances. Breakout happens at the appointed time!
Genesis 1:2 talks about the Spirit of God hovering, or brooding over the waters. The image is that of a mother bird nesting and incubating eggs. When the time of development has been completed, the young bird breaks through the shell. James 1:3-4 says ‘because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Here is the process of development, and when completed, at the appointed time, ‘break-out’ occurs.
Premature birth creates complications. Aborted vision is tragic. Paul tells Timothy (and us) that Hymenaeus and Alexander made shipwreck of their faith because they rejected the working of God (1Tim1:18-20). It appears they broke ranks with what God was incubating in their lives. It does not indicate they were never disciples, but rather they were disciples who lost their faith. Disappointments with the outcome of circumstances can cause any of us to question why God allows such things. It can even cause us to question God himself. Jesus said in Matt 11:6, ‘Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” If any had reason to question God’s calling, and the implication of the outcome, it was John. God’s purposes for John were not anticipated. Disappointment and shattered expectations were real emotions for John as he sat in the prison. He could have aborted the vision, got swallowed up in disillusionment, and lost faith in God’s plan. Although the outcome did not change and he was still executed. He was however, not just another victim of a corrupt system. He realized he was an intricate and critical part of God’s overall design. The bigger picture was hatching. At the appointed time Jesus steps into His appointed place.
Make no mistake, extreme leadership is incubated and hatched in extreme conditions. The challenge? Don’t loose sight of the bigger picture. Don’t abort the vision prematurely. At the appointed time, when development is completed, breakout from the surrounding shell happens. All around us, our world is desperate for leaders who have been fully incubated and matured. Allow me to speak a word of encouragement to leaders in the incubator. All of us will appreciate the leader who has the endurance to outlast circumstances. Breakout happens at the appointed time!
