“For everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This is true in all aspects of life and is clearly shown in the production of the movie Selma. The script for the movie, written by David Webb, was completed in 2007; however, there was no one who would fund the production of the film. Surely, 2008 would have seemed to be the perfect time to release a film centered on the Voting Rights Movement, as then Senator Barack Obama was running for the presidency. However, 2008 was not God’s time.
Seven years later, when the possibility of production seemed slim, the film was finally funded in large part by Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Films Company. It took eight years from the completion of the script to the production of the movie. Eight years is a long time to wait when you know you are pregnant with something special that could bless many if it was birthed. Yet, when we look closely, we see how God’s timing was perfect. Providentially, Selma recently has been released during the commemoration and ongoing events of several pivotal moments in Civil Rights History. First, the release of the movie has taken place during the fiftieth year anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a time (March 2015) when the nation will again turn its attention to Selma to commemorate the march for justice and to celebrate the foot soldiers for freedom and equality. Secondly, the movie release has also come at a time when the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is the center of the political debate. On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court made an unprecedented decision to remove the requirement for some states to gain federal approval before they change voting laws in their state. Such a decision makes it seem as if the Supreme Court has forgotten about the depth of voter discrimination tactics that were employed (in mostly southern states with a dark history of enforcing voter discrimination laws) to deny the fundamental right of any democracy: the right to vote. Thus, this movie could remind activists and educate a new generation about the polluted political ploys of our history that was designed to deny the minority’s voice. Yes, this movie could remind us that what may seem to be no big deal is really a BIG DEAL.
The timing of this movie release shows us that God’s timing is perfect. While we often grow impatient and frustrated waiting on God to usher us into our season, we must trust the timing of the sovereign eternal Creator. The Lord of the universe has sovereign control over all things that transpires in the earth, and I truly believe that nothing “just” happens and that all things happen in His perfect time. And yes, I know this presents a problem for us who have been baptized into a capitalistic society, where the consumer dictates everything. Yes, it’s a problem because we have been taught to believe that we can make things happen on our own. Yes, it’s a problem because our deadline seldom matches God’s appointed time, and we’re faced with the reality that the world doesn’t revolve around me, myself, and mine. And we have to sit in God’s waiting room until He says it’s time. Yet, after we have fussed, complained, and shouted our protest, we realize that God knows best. We learn in hindsight that God’s timing is better than ours. We can rejoice now as we see how God’s hands have brought things together, and He’s so good that He uses our frustration to shape our faithfulness to trust His timing in the future.
What are you trusting God for in this season in your life? Perhaps you feel spiritually pregnant, and you are travailing to give birth to your purpose. Have you been waiting for a window of opportunity to open for you financially, relationally, or emotionally? Or maybe you just have grown disturbed and disappointed with setbacks and false starts. If this describes you, remember God’s wisdom is transcendent; His plan is certain, and His timing is perfect. Even when we are perturbed, we must heed the wisdom of the proverb which tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). God will bring all things to pass at His time, for His glory and for our good. So beloved continue to be faithful; trust God, and wait patiently for His time. His time is always the right time, the best time, our time!!
Seven years later, when the possibility of production seemed slim, the film was finally funded in large part by Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Films Company. It took eight years from the completion of the script to the production of the movie. Eight years is a long time to wait when you know you are pregnant with something special that could bless many if it was birthed. Yet, when we look closely, we see how God’s timing was perfect. Providentially, Selma recently has been released during the commemoration and ongoing events of several pivotal moments in Civil Rights History. First, the release of the movie has taken place during the fiftieth year anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a time (March 2015) when the nation will again turn its attention to Selma to commemorate the march for justice and to celebrate the foot soldiers for freedom and equality. Secondly, the movie release has also come at a time when the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is the center of the political debate. On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court made an unprecedented decision to remove the requirement for some states to gain federal approval before they change voting laws in their state. Such a decision makes it seem as if the Supreme Court has forgotten about the depth of voter discrimination tactics that were employed (in mostly southern states with a dark history of enforcing voter discrimination laws) to deny the fundamental right of any democracy: the right to vote. Thus, this movie could remind activists and educate a new generation about the polluted political ploys of our history that was designed to deny the minority’s voice. Yes, this movie could remind us that what may seem to be no big deal is really a BIG DEAL.
The timing of this movie release shows us that God’s timing is perfect. While we often grow impatient and frustrated waiting on God to usher us into our season, we must trust the timing of the sovereign eternal Creator. The Lord of the universe has sovereign control over all things that transpires in the earth, and I truly believe that nothing “just” happens and that all things happen in His perfect time. And yes, I know this presents a problem for us who have been baptized into a capitalistic society, where the consumer dictates everything. Yes, it’s a problem because we have been taught to believe that we can make things happen on our own. Yes, it’s a problem because our deadline seldom matches God’s appointed time, and we’re faced with the reality that the world doesn’t revolve around me, myself, and mine. And we have to sit in God’s waiting room until He says it’s time. Yet, after we have fussed, complained, and shouted our protest, we realize that God knows best. We learn in hindsight that God’s timing is better than ours. We can rejoice now as we see how God’s hands have brought things together, and He’s so good that He uses our frustration to shape our faithfulness to trust His timing in the future.
What are you trusting God for in this season in your life? Perhaps you feel spiritually pregnant, and you are travailing to give birth to your purpose. Have you been waiting for a window of opportunity to open for you financially, relationally, or emotionally? Or maybe you just have grown disturbed and disappointed with setbacks and false starts. If this describes you, remember God’s wisdom is transcendent; His plan is certain, and His timing is perfect. Even when we are perturbed, we must heed the wisdom of the proverb which tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). God will bring all things to pass at His time, for His glory and for our good. So beloved continue to be faithful; trust God, and wait patiently for His time. His time is always the right time, the best time, our time!!
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