But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. - Galatians 4:4-5 (NLT) 

--

What do amusement parks, Christmas, and getting your car’s oil changed all have in common? They all pretty much guarantee you’re going to spend a lot of time waiting. 

Every day has 24 hours except Christmas Eve, which is approximately 24,000 hours long. Especially as a child, it seemed as though the closer we got to Christmas, the longer the days became. But as hard as it is waiting for Christmas to come, our wait doesn’t even compare to the season of waiting that took place prior to the first Christmas. Did you know nearly 400 years passed between the Old and New Testament where there is no recorded interaction between God and His people? That’s nearly four centuries of waiting for the promised Messiah! However, God was still in control and He was waiting, too; waiting for the perfect timing to bring about His glorious plan. That’s what Paul is talking about in Galatians when he writes “… when the right time came.” The challenge is that our idea of the right timing rarely matches God’s. Waiting truly is difficult and takes a lot of faith, but we have to trust Him wholeheartedly and know that His wisdom far surpasses our human understanding. 

What are you currently waiting for that requires practicing patience? Today, remember that a season of waiting does not mean God has abandoned you. Actually, it’s just the opposite, as He is often protecting you by waiting until “the right time” to reveal His perfect plan.