There is one thing that we all have the same amount of today, regardless of who we are. We have 24 hours today. We never have more and one day we will have less. But before that final day, we have 24 hours each and every day. The richest and the poorest among us still only have 24. The most entrepreneurial among us and the laziest both have 24. It is what we do with what we have that make the difference.
One other thing about time that makes a difference is timing. Knowing when to do something is often as important as the what to do. If the timing is off, the right thing can be the wrong thing. Anyone who has bought stock understands this. We recently bought some stock. Within a few weeks our stock had risen in value about twelve percent. If only I had sold it then! Timing. Now our initial investment is down about twelve percent. If we had sold at the up time, and then repurchased at this down time, we would be up over $1000. Timing. Instead, we are down.
Purchasing the newest high-demand product on the first day it is available will cost you a premium, compared to waiting a few months and then making the purchase. Prices always drop. So if you don’t NEED it on the first day, be patient. But you don’t want to wait years. If you have your eyes on a fast computer, soon that fast computer will be out of date. No matter how cheaply you can purchase it, you are not getting a good deal.
Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem, His final destination here on Earth. He has come to give His life so that we might live. He arrives late in the day, looks around and then returns to His hotel for the night, Motel One. During festival times, everyone opened up their houses for out of town guests. Jesus and His disciples are staying in a town only a couple of miles away. Every town around Jerusalem would have been crowded with visitors. Since Jesus was poor He couldn’t afford a suite at the Hilton with a view overlooking the Temple.
Why didn’t Jesus begin His final teaching when he arrived at the Temple? Timing! He has arrived, being greeted as the Promised Deliverer, the Messiah. There have been cheers and crowds that would make anyone feel important. This was before tickertape, but the branches laid down and waved in celebration would have been quite a sight. His motorcade route was lined with people. And after He passed the crowd filled in the street and followed Him. And all this without Twitter!
And yet, Jesus turns around and goes back to Bethany where He spends the night. We know nothing about Jesus’ activities that evening. We don’t know if He talked with His disciples or had tea and light refreshments. We do know He didn’t start His countdown ministry that evening in the Temple. He waited.
Knowing when to go forward and when to wait are essential decision points in our lives. And I don’t have any formulaic answer that will help you know which is which.
The Arnold Journey 