What does timing have to do with the following verses?

When Jesus heard what had happened to John, he left in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. But the crowds heard about it and followed him on foot from the towns. When he arrived, he saw a great crowd waiting. He felt sorry for them and healed those who were sick.

When it was evening, his followers came to him and said, “No one lives in this place, and it is already late. Send the people away so they can go to the towns and buy food for themselves.” (Matthew 14:13-15)

“When” is an important word. It indicates a point in time. We can easily turn the certainty of “when” into an uncertainty of “whenever.” Jesus isn’t about “whenever.” He’s about his Father’s business and the provided and guided timing that comes along with it. He knew when he needed to be alone and pray, and he knew when he needed to teach. He knew when to miraculously heal people and when to admonish others. He was sent by his Father to do his Father’s will, which includes the “when” of his will.

Are you listening to God and responding to the “when” of his instruction?

It’s tempting to get focused on the when and what of God’s will, because if we can just figure out the details, we can get it done and check it off our lists. But God wants relationship with us. He wants us to continually seek him, trusting him for the when of right now. As we trust him, our nows prepare us for our laters, but when we don’t trust him, his whens become our whenevers.

How can you know the “when”?

Know God and trust his guidance. He’ll take care of the details.