I've often heard (and said) that we have a "Just in time" God ... He prefers to do things "just in the nick of time", rather than with plenty of time to spare. I'm not sure where I heard it from but it's something I've long believed to be true.
A few days ago I was on my way out of the valley, in a hurry, as I often am. Like many Hintonites, I debated "do I go the train way, or, the mill way?" Based on where I was and where I was headed, the train way made more sense ... as long as there wasn't a train. I opted for the train track way, and, thankfully there wasn't even a train in sight. I continued on my merry way without a thought about it. Then it occurred to me, that often when I go that route, and get there just to see a train clearing the intersection, or one getting close but I can still safely go by, I thank God -- the closeness of the call makes me feel that the ease of passing was His work. I pondered how I didn't feel a need to say "thank you" when the train was nowhere in sight. Is it any less of a blessing, if God chose to hold the train back at the station, vs having it be "just in time"?
The pondering prompted me to do some digging and I couldn't find anything in the bible that refers to this "just in time God" theory that I subscribed to. There are many verses that point to PERFECT timing ... ideal timing ... but not specifically "right at the last possible second" timing. And I've realized, if I only give Him credit when things are "just barely in time", that may not be the way He works at all -- it might just be my perspective of His work, and I miss all the stuff He does for me when it's not right in front of my face, like a train almost at the intersection. Also, if God truly does, in fact, wait for the last minute to intervene, it'd probably be because that's the only time I see it as His work, rather than because of His own preference to keep me dangling.
God, I'm sorry that I've failed to be thankful, when your blessings aren't staring me right in the face. Help me to see your work everywhere, whether it's just in the nick of time, or not. Help me to trust your timing in all things.