Sometimes someone recommends something to you, a sermon or a book or a blog or a movie, and you put off reading or watching or listening to it.  Then later, when you finally get around to whatever it was, you find that the timing, even through seemingly random delay, was perfect.  

Today I listened to a message called “Pr-ing Our Fears” by Timothy Keller.  (Thanks, Kelly.)  The timing was so providential for me.  This week, I’ve been struggling to put together some key truths or thoughts from this life-changing semester.

This afternoon, I woke after minimal sleep with a culmination of questions.  Why do I run away from Him when I should be obeying?  How can I still be wrestling with anxiety after a lifetime of seeing His provision?  Why do I continually raise up new idols and dreams to worship instead of the One who should be worshiped?  How can I still doubt that His love and forgiveness apply to me ?

I remembered that I had downloaded this message so I began to listen.  I was overwhelmed by truth: truth that was specifically timed for me.  His amazing work was so evident in my life by using my circumstances and sinfulness to cause me to be prepared to receive the Word at exactly the right time so that it had the maximum profitability to my soul.

Here, sitting on my bed in China with a crazy cat and a whole lot of tissues, I was able to repent and refocus and rejoice.  (Look, Bob,  I’ve alliterated.  :-) ) And it doesn’t matter that I still have a thousand miles to go until I am like Him or that I will still fall down again and again before this week is even over, because I am redeemed and loved and secure.  He is not finished with me.  He is my Shield and my Reward and my Glory.