“Is it time yet?” Have you ever heard a kid bug their parents by constantly asking that question during the Christmas season? Five minutes later, same question. Three minutes later, same question. And the fun begins, until December 25th. But this is not just a kid problem.
Phone developers have determined we Americans are so obsessed with time that, on average, we unlock our phones at least 140 times a day! Why? We have FOMO—fear of missing out.
Isn’t it fascinating that God’s view of time is so different from ours? He doesn’t wear a watch and will never be bound by time.
He is not concerned with time, but with timing. “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.“ 2 Peter 3:8-9 ESV
The phrase “fullness of time” is recorded many times in scripture, and the question we beg God to answer for us in our despair is similar to that little child’s question, “Is it fullness of time yet?” In our hopeless and dismal circumstances, we ask God, “Lord, when?” With our financial worries, or family worries, or loneliness, or uncertain futures, we want to know how long we’ll be in our distressing situations. I’m pretty sure the entire world felt that way during the 400 years of God’s silence between the Old Testament and New Testament!
But after the 400 years, a birth rocked the world and everything changed.
“...when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:4-7 ESV
God left the splendor of heaven—becoming poor on purpose, as a baby in the manger, Christ Jesus, at the perfect time in history—when the world was ready for change. And as the only Savior of mankind, He is the reason we at Next Generation IMPACT continue in our mission of “setting the hope of the next generation on God.” (Psalm 78)
Is it time yet? Yes. “...now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV
You can also answer the question, “Is it time yet?” by helping us continue to create relevant materials, training, and strategies to reach children with the best news the world has ever known. Will you give a monthly or one-time gift this year? Any size gift to Next Generation IMPACT truly changes the world, one child at a time.
Merry Christmas!