Timing

Psa 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose  
spirit there is no guile.
Psa 32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou  
mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto  
him.

 He had just thrown an interception after fumbling a ball that was picked up and run 
in for a touchdown. This was a game that had been greatly anticipated as a conflict 
between arch rivals that would determine who would advance to the district 
championship game. The whole prior week had been full of news clips, coffee shop 
discussions, and pep rallies all greatly promoting the notion that this indeed would 
be the year. They were the home team, their record was slightly better and there was 
just this feeling in the air that defeat was not even a possibility. 

 So the game had started out pretty much as hoped, the home team marching right down 
the field for a touchdown in the first opening drive. They stopped their opponent 
and were able to score again on the very next possession. This indeed was following 
the way all the home town folks had hoped, and as half time came with a very healthy 
leading margin established, the subject was already more about next week and how 
they would match up in the championship game. Then, on the opening kick-off of the 
second half, their rivals were able to return the ball all the way for a touchdown. 

And, where the quarterback had been in a groove both passing and running in the 
first half, he was hit right after taking his first second-half snap, lost the ball 
and had to leave the game for most of the third quarter. When he did go back into 
the game, he was unable to make anything happen for the team. After missing his 
receivers on several wide open opportunities and failing to advance the ball, the 
cheers that had been so encouraging in the first half had been silenced and replaced 
by an occasional boo and cry for his replacement. The lead that had seemed so secure 
just a few minutes ago had been steadily lost and, due to the quarterback's 
turnovers in the last few minutes was lost altogether. 

 For the quarterback, having lead his team throughout the whole year up to this 
point, it seemed like all those hopes of both team and personal victory were 
completely dashed. He would surely never be able to live down the way he had been 
personally responsible for handing victory over to their most despised rivals. 
Already overwhelmed by this great weight of defeat in the final seconds, with their 
opponents in possession of a 4 point lead and the ball, it seemed that his mistakes 
had surely determined a disappointing and season ending defeat. 

Then, as the opposing running back was lunging for the final first down that would 
seal the victory, he lost the ball to a defensive back that was able to get all the 
way to the five yard line with just 2 seconds left. With only time for one play, it 
would require execution, with no place for hesitation or uncertainty. The 
quarterback, shaken from his premature remorse, was given a play from his coach 
that, while a bit risky, would surely yield the necessary touchdown if executed 
flawlessly. In choosing this play, the coach was not only displaying a confidence 
that he still had in his quarterback, but he was also giving him an opportunity that 
could reverse all the mistakes that he had made. With this one play all those 
failures that should have meant defeat could be erased in the glory of victory. It 
was a timing play that had been practiced over and again between quarterback and 
receiver where the pass would be thrown in a high arc before the receiver had even 
looked back or made it past his defender. No matter how the play seemed to be 
unfolding, the pass had to be made with confidence at just the right moment with 
complete trust in its design to produce the score that was needed. 

     There is a play before us that has been designed specifically to gain victory 
from what might be deserved defeat. Our own failures may have brought us to a place 
where losing appears imminent. Though hopes may have been built up at one point for 
a taste of glory and a rise to significance, all those dreams have given in to the 
detestable vision of our arch rival gloating in victory over us. There is One, 
however, that stills believes in us. He has looked past all our shortcomings and 
chosen us to take the field and execute the plan that, if performed in its timing, 
will ensure the dissolving of all those visions of crushing defeat. For His plan to 
be effective, however, there can be no hesitation, no holding back in self conscious 
second guessing. There is a window of time in which His plan will be effective, and 
the one who will experience complete forgiveness and covering of those sins and 
iniquities of the past must take advantage of this opportunity at the time in which 
it available. Time is running out and there definitely is an opponent that is intent 
with seeing us totally crushed. Beyond that advancing foe, however, and at a time 
when nothing appears to be developing as we think it should, there is a chance to 
let go in faith and let the power of the Holy Spirit carry all our hopes and dreams 
to a destination He has prepared and for which He will receive all the glory. He has 
designed the plan, to seek Him is our part of the plan, and the time of execution is 
now. May there be no hesitation, and may complete victory in Him be found. 


12/4/06