Who Is On Time?

People have a tendency to fall into one of two categories when it comes to arriving somewhere at a prearranged time. The first group is the early-arrivers, and at worst, arriving a minute early. They never want to be late. The second group is the late-arrivers. There never seems to be a reason strong enough to force them to arrive on time, much less early for any event or appointment.

In which group would you place yourself?  What about your spouse, or significant other?

"They are always late and they make me late!"

Recently I had a conversation with a friend who was lamenting the fact that he was driving his spouse to work for the week. It was only Tuesday, but she had already caused him to be late for work on Monday and Tuesday. He was frustrated, annoyed, and felt like he was taken for granted. 

Every early-arriver understands that range of feelings. 

We can all sympathize with his situation. You would think the person would be grateful for the ride and would go out of the way to be on time. It is certainly their intent to be early and to show appreciation, but we are also creatures of habit. As the saying goes, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 

The Apostle Paul wrote it another way, "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing." (Romans 7:18b-19)

We are at the beginning of the season of Lent -- a time of reflection when we realize that we don't measure up -- never have and never will -- as God's children. That is why we confess so much in Lent. We admit our failures and self-centered habits. We know we stand in need of God's grace.

All this brokenness, sin and failure leads up to the day of destiny for Jesus when he willingly accepts the cross for us so our sins can be forgiven. 

Now for the amazing truth: Jesus was not a "Johnny come lately" who showed up when he felt like it. He did not "put the cart before the horse" and show up too early. No, God has always had perfect timing. As we read in Romans 5:6, "At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Never too early, and though it often feels too late, the Lord comes to meet our need, to forgive our sins, to redeem our souls, to give us eternal life, just when we need it the most.  

Who is on time?  The Lord!  -- And we would never want it any other way. Because, only then, at that precise moment, are we ready to receive all that the Lord has to give us.