Exact Times and Places

Acts 17:26-28a
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'

Have you ever heard someone say "I should’ve been born 100 years ago"? Fascinating comment, really. I wonder if they would think that if they actually lived 100 years ago. Hmmm . . . That, however, is not my point. My point is this – we each live right now, where we are, because it is exactly when and where God wants us. That can be a tough prospect, sometimes, I know.

Living in Arizona, the weather is really less than ideal. Oh, some like it here, some even love it – my husband, for instance. I, however, being from Wyoming, am a cold weather person, so adjusting to the heat has been very difficult for me. When we first moved down here, I was miserable! I remember thinking my flesh was literally going to melt right off me every time I stepped outside. I could not for the life of me figure out why God would want me in such a forsaken land. Ah, but His purpose, His plan, His vision is so much larger than ours, and I praise Him for it. He brought me here, because I have grown and matured in ways that I never would have, had I remained in Wyoming. Much like Moses (no, I’m not even as close to as cool as he was, but I do rather admire him), God had to get me away from everything I had ever known and loved, to get my full attention. He had to bring me to a desert to prepare me for whatever He has planned for me.

Many times we can’t figure out why we are where we are, whether spiritually, physically, or emotionally. But we can rest assured that it is exactly where He wants us, for whatever His reasons may be. I find so much comfort and encouragement in knowing that God has it all under control – He has me in Arizona because this is part of His plan for me. Many times He puts us where we are because it is less than ideal. He is going to find the perfect mixture of all ingredients that will put us in a place where we will seek Him. It may be hot, uncomfortable, miserable, crazy, or even painful, but His ultimate purpose for us is that we would be in a passionate, loving relationship with Him.

So if, like me, you’re in a place you’d rather just leave behind, remember that He’s got something up His sleeve, and He will not move us on until He is finished with that particular ingredient. The process will continue until He has in each and every one of us, a masterpiece.