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Trusting God's Timing

2/12/2015

10 Comments

 
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“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!! 


10 Comments
Nitak
2/12/2015 04:11:40 am

It's funny how you post this message today. I was thinking about God's timing. A lot of time we as people want things to happen on our time. But, the truth be told we don't have the time and patient to wait on God. That's the reason everything we touch fail because we try to take it out of God's hands.

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Anonymous
2/12/2015 04:21:12 am

Wow!!! I'm Speechless because I've been in conversation about being spiritually pregnant but can't give birth! I even asked a question if God will have to perform a c-section in order for birthing to take place?! It has not been a good feeling for me because I've felt as if I was handcuffing God! Thanks be to God I know now that birthing is coming but it comes in Gods perfect timing! So I no longer have to feel like I'm in labor, having contractions, but no birth! Birthing to soon will cause me to miscarriage!!! So I have to be patient, allow God to continue to work on me, nurture me, prepare me, build character, until that time comes!!! He knows when, where, how, and why!!! ITS FOR HIS GLORY!!!
THANKS PASTOR CULLIVER!!! TGBTG!!!

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Nakiedra Johnson
2/12/2015 05:08:22 am

Wow!! There are so many personal CONFIRMATIONS revealed to me in this reading. I have been impatiently waiting on God to speak to my heart, and with the constant feeling of "Lord, are you ignoring me?"...little did I know, He was speaking the words into my dear friend's heart to deliver to me...RIGHT ON TIME!!

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Sabrina Penn-Kidd
2/12/2015 05:24:19 am

Well stated!!! I had to learn thru trial and errors in life that God has a season for all things especially those things that affect us personally, in our relationships, financially but most of all spiritually!! To Him be all the Glory Given!!

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Kenta white
2/12/2015 03:03:37 pm

This was Encouraging!!!

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Vanessa Goodwin
2/14/2015 02:42:46 am

You always have a good word!! However sometimes waiting makes me wonder. It makes me wonder if want I'm desiring the most isn't His will for me at all. When do we know when what we desire isn't His will for us? I'm Reminded of Abraham and Sarah. They had to wait a long time for the birth of their son Isaac. However the Lord had spoken to Abraham and made the promise to him. When we've had a dream that aches inside of us for so long but hasn't become a reality, when do we know if we should just let go?

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Jackie Smith
2/14/2015 03:09:16 am

Pastor Culliver thanks for sharing and reminding us to wait on the Lord. Sometimes having the ability to wait on something without anxiety and emotions can be difficult, however it's a valuable quality. Yes, patience is a virtue!

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A.King
2/14/2015 01:32:50 pm

Great message Pastor Culliver! I agree to every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.i feel if we trust God ,seek his face in all we do he will show us what path to take. very encouraging word for me.!!!

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Mildred
2/20/2015 02:36:38 pm

God's timing is everything. Every day I'm learning more and more how to pray for patience. I'm convinced that the disappointments and setbacks are stepping stones to something much greater, I'm determined to keep trusting, believing and having faith to sit in God's waiting room until He reveal His complete plan for my life in His perfect timing! Thanks for the encouraging words!

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Ebiny Flake link
2/24/2015 10:24:40 pm

Great Message.

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    Pastor ODC is the Senior Pastor of Tabernacle Church in Selma, AL and a graduate of Beeson Divinity School.  He is a biblical scholar/student with social consciousness that challenges society to examine itself in light of the scripture.  He also encourages believers to fulfill their divine purpose to the glory of God.  His writing is compelling, convicting, and challenging.

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