timeline
July 10, 2009 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Just me
Do you ever wish God would give you a timeline? In one year, you’ll be here. Five years from now you can expect this. In fifteen years you’ll arrive at this destination.
While we are requesting that God give us things, why not ask for a few explanations. Okay, God, we walked through this “open door” only to have it slam shut, tossing us back to where we first started. What’s up with that?
A monumental birthday is looming and it is making me think about these things. If I had asked God for a timeline (directed by me, of course) 15 years ago, I wouldn’t have known to add things like writing books or being a mother-in-law or traveling to speak on it. Why? Because I wouldn’t have thought them possible. Okay, I would have penciled in the MIL role, that one makes sense, but even that has proved to be so much better than I would have thought possible.
There’s been lots of bumps in the past 15 years. Hard bumps. Knock-you-down and take-your-breath-away moments that I didn’t see coming. But also amazing moments like watching my daughters walk down the aisle, watching my son’s smile when the pastor pronounced him married. Moving to a new city. Watching Richard do a dance when he graduated with honors.
I think the reason that we aren’t offered a timeline is that Christ lived in the moment. He didn’t make a lot of lists, as far as I can tell. Instead he gathered a ragtag group of disciples and pointed to the lost, the deceived, the hurting, and the broken. Do something now, he said. Pray. Believe. Speak. Encourage. Teach. Befriend. Show them life.
Living in the moment allows us to live a missional life, too. Jesus said, My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and finishing his work. (John 4:34)
I’ll always have lists and goals. I need them, but my timeline will develop as I live it. I’ll seek direction and use wisdom, but I won’t always have answers.
And at the end of it, I’ll have a story.
I can’t wait to read it.
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Suzie…. Life sure has had many stumbles and falls along the way. I’m no where in life that I thought I’d be when I was 20 yrs old. I’m now approaching 45. I’ve been through many things in the past 25 yrs. I remember thinking, when I was a teen, about how for away the year 2010 is and that it was a LONG way away. I tried to imagine what life would be like in my 40s. The only thing that has remained constant is my life with Christ. No matter what I always seek Christ in it.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:39 pmIn a walk of faith, we don’t see it all before we get there but we find every step was important. I love the graphic you used. I think of God giving me pieces of the puzzle all the time. In fact I am looking for one now. B
July 14th, 2009 at 7:28 amWow Suzie,
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:14 pmThis is one of my favorite posts from you!