Right on Time: Trusting God’s Plan When You Feel Left Behind
Yesterday was reflective day for me; I had a flashback of a particular phase of my life. I was thinking about how it was a messed up season of my life yet looking back now hits differently.
During that phase, I was feeling lost and hopeless. Everywhere I looked, it seemed like everyone was moving ahead while I was left behind. I look around and saw people graduating from colleges, finding their dream jobs, getting married, getting assistance or even having an easy life, while I was still trying to figure out what to do with my life or how to get things done.
I felt like I was late to the party, like I had missed my chance to make something of myself. I started to doubt my abilities, my worth, and my purpose. I wondered if I would ever catch up, if I would ever find my place in the world.
But then, one day, something changed. I was scrolling through social media, feeling sorry for myself, when I came across a quote that stopped me in my tracks: “You are not late; you are right on time.”
At first, I didn’t understand what it meant. How could I be right on time when everyone else seemed to be so far ahead? But then, I remembered something my late grandmother used to tell me: “God’s timing is not our timing.”
Suddenly, it all clicked. I realized that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Maybe I wasn’t following the same path as everyone else, but that didn’t mean I was lost. It just meant that God had a different plan for me, a plan that was uniquely tailored to my gifts, my passions, and my personality.
I started to look at my life differently. I stopped comparing myself to others and started focusing on my own journey. I started to see the beauty in my struggles, the lessons in my failures, and the opportunities in my setbacks.
And then, something miraculous happened. Just when I thought I was the farthest behind, God opened a door for me. I got an offer I’ve been dreaming of for ages and I started to see a path forward. I realized that I wasn’t late at all; I was just right on time for the next step in my journey. God has indeed made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Looking back, I see now that my feelings of being left behind were just a temporary setback. God was using that time to prepare me for something greater, to teach me the value of patience, perseverance, and faith. He was reminding me that His timing is always perfect, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
So if you’re feeling like you’re late to the party, like you’ve missed your chance, remember this: You are not late; you are right on time. God has a plan for you, and it’s just as unique and wonderful as you are. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – (Jeremiah 29:11). Trust in His timing, and you’ll find that your journey will be just as beautiful and meaningful as anyone else’s.