Right Place, Right Time

Wherever you are, know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. We often worry whether we are in the wrong place at the wrong time, the right place at the wrong time, or the right place at the right time. “Timing is everything!” “Location, location, location!” Two axioms, two ingredients for success—for a comedian or real estate broker—in business, ministry, sports, or entertainment. We want the right place at the right time. Time can directly relate to quantity or quality, duration or destiny? The ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos means chronology, quantity, and duration. Kairos is the quality, meaning, or significance of a moment. While time’s measurement matters—and often relates directly to success—its meaning matters more. Parents hear “quality time with children beats quantity time.” Quality time holds love and adventure, learning, discovery, compassion, and accomplishment.

God also is interested in time and place. In the qualitative sense, the right place and time. Kairos time—filled with meaning from God’s purpose—is always the right time. Who doesn’t want to be in the right place, at the right time? It certainly beats being in the wrong place, at the wrong time. But how? Is life decided by chance? Qarah is the Hebrew word in translated, being in the right place at the right time. Qarah does not mean chance. In fact, there is no Hebrew word for coincidence. Qarah means ‘God appointment.’ In other words, being in the right place, at the right time, is orchestrated by the Almighty. He sets up appointments in the right place, and right time, for those he loves.

Besides a geographical location, place can mean your station in life. To be in the right place is to follow your calling. As a child of God, your calling—your place—is in relationship with Christ, living your life’s purpose in every area, including (but not limited to) your occupation, your daily work. All work consistent with God’s purpose is God’s work. God uniquely leads, gifts, and equips me with passions and skills for particular work, including service to your family and community.

First, foremost, and fully, our place is with Christ, in active, participatory relationship with God. Secondly, your place is to do God’s business in and through every endeavor. That place is holy ground no matter where on earth it is. Zechariah, the Bethlehem shepherds, and Moses were found in the right places at the right times going about their everyday routines. In their respective settings, God gave each an extraordinary encounter with Himself. For each of us, less dramatically, amid our ordinary, everyday routines, God comes to us, meets us, and works in and through us. Doing what God wants us to do with our lives occupationally, vocationally, or in whatever occupies us always puts us in the right place at the right time. Now, always, forever. Here, there, wherever!

Paul challenges God’s people to make the most of the present (Eph. 5:15-16). We skillfully plan our futures to be right, good, appropriate, and consistent with God’s purposes. We also live in the moment, one day at a time (Matt 6:34), being whom God calls us to be, doing what God calls us to do. This gives meaning and purpose to all our time. This moves each moment of every day out of the mundane. And the special moments, those transcendent times, also are the right times—in the fullness of time. “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son.” (Gal. 4:4) Right Time!

Thankful to God Jesus was in the Right, Place at the Right Time!

God’s Peace!