A Matter of Timing
The technological brilliance of internal combustion engines is matched only by the ingenuity of the timing systems running them. Each piston must run through four cycles, in sequence, at specific yet constantly changing rates of speed, in accordance with the other pistons.
Imagine if one of these pistons became autonomous. Suppose it didn’t want to compress when it was supposed to, or was sick of completing its full stroke and was fine just going halfway. What would happen? (It would probably end up in a Yugo GV and be sent on its way.)
In the Bible, the story of Joseph is one about timing. This epic story spans the last fourteen chapters of Genesis and covers everything you need to know about humanity: arrogance, favoritism, betrayal, greed, inadequacy, lust, deception, dishonesty, murder, selfishness, fear, fragility, hubris, and eventually, love and forgiveness. In their allotted time, each one plays its part to tell the story of Joseph: a boy who was pleased to receive greatness from God but felt he could claim it in his own timing.
From the beginning, in Genesis 37, Joseph’s sees his special treatment from his father and prophetic dreams about leadership, and assumes these visions of greatness are self-evident. He boasts to his brothers and even his father. Yet greatness wasn’t in God’s timing yet.
When Joseph is propositioned by Potiphar’s wife, his response is dripping with self-praise, yet God allowed Joseph to lose his position and become imprisoned. When Joseph interprets his fellow prisoners’ dreams, he asks one of them to remember him and plead his case before Pharaoh, yet God allowed Joseph to remain imprisoned for a little longer. Even when Joseph stands before Pharaoh, interpreting his dream, he gives this cheeky response: “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 41:33)
God indeed had leadership plans for Joseph. And he had plans for Joseph to learn humility by being sold as a slave, empathy for people who are tempted when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, compassion for oppressed people when he was in prison, and purposeful leadership when he learned of the imminent famine and devastation that could only be prevented by Godly leadership. Joseph, the arrogant little brat in the fields with his brothers, did not yet demonstrate the leadership qualities that God had in mind for him. Joseph, the leader of Egypt, demonstrated vision, humility, and forgiveness when he saved a nation and, eventually, restored his family.
Sometimes, we’re like cylinders at BTDC – before top dead center – nearing the end of our travel, feeling compressed, and waiting for the explosive action of God. Sometimes we feel full of burned up fuel, and we need the exhaust scavenging from God to take it away. Sometimes we crave a little spark.
No matter where we are or what we think we need, God is at work preparing us for what’s coming next. Think of a horizontally opposed flat-four engine, like in an old Volkswagen. While one piston is feeling empty, work is being done in its counterpart that will ultimately bring about new fuel and new spark. No piston is forgotten. No piston is waiting to be included in God’s plan. It’s just a matter of timing.
Joseph tried to hot-rod things a bit and advance the timing. That can work sometimes. Ultimately, though, it’s best to accept where you are and trust that God will bring about His power during His timing.
