This story reflects on how God has always shown up for me and been right on time. Graphic by Jewel Justice.
At the church I grew up in, which was non-denominational but operated as if it was Pentecostal, people would say the phrase “He may not show up when you want Him to, but He’s always on time.” Along with the call and response “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good” that I knew all too well, I took this passionate colloquialism to be another phrase church people clung to to cope and get by. I respected it, but I didn’t fully grasp it.
—Until I experienced its manifestation in my life.
Before, as a child, I believed that phrase, but I hadn’t borne witness to it.
Now, I truly see how intentional God is. He never wastes a moment and never makes mistakes. There are certain things I prayed for that didn’t happen when I wanted them to, and in those moments, I didn’t understand why God wouldn’t just do it right then and there.
There are even things that I earnestly prayed would happen that just never happened. Or at the last second, it fell through, and it felt like God was doing me dirty. That internship position I did months of preparation for and interviewed for, I was rejected from. I didn’t get into that class I was so eager to take. I was looking forward to this event that I just knew would be amazing, and the night of, something happened that prevented me from going.
But now, I see that His “later” was a favor. His “no” was a gift. That rejection was simply redirection—protection.
Now, looking back, I know I wouldn’t have handled that thing I was praying for with enough care. I didn’t have enough wisdom or knowledge. I wouldn’t even have been able to keep that thing because I didn’t yet have the tools to sustain it.
Now, I understand how He’s an “on time God.” I’ve seen how He moves, and I’ve witnessed His goodness for myself.
Weeks ago, I went to this church service while visiting my family in Delaware. During worship, they sang the song “On Time God” by Woman Evolve Worship. At that time, I enjoyed the song, so much so that I quickly jotted it down in my notes app to search later.
Later that day, though, it got busy, so I completely forgot to go back to my notes app, look up the song, watch the video on YouTube, and download it to my phone, so it just escaped my mind altogether.
Just two days ago, weeks after that service, I opened YouTube and saw “On Time God” pop up on my feed. The same song I heard weeks ago at that service in New Castle, Delaware. A certain prayer has been on my heart for a while now, and I’m also in the process of pursuing something new—God knows that, and in that moment on Thursday, He encouraged me with this song.
I can trust that He’ll answer my prayer, and it’ll be right on time.
Thank You, God. You are so intentional and never waste a moment. You have been guiding me all of my life, and I’ve never been more aware and confident of that fact until now. So thank You for every yes and every no. Thank You for steering me. Thank You for planting seeds and staying there to watch them grow—for being the One to grow and cultivate me. You are an on time God.
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“On Time God” by Woman Evolve Worship x Abbie Gamboa x Chandler Moore
Psalms 18:2 (NKJV): “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.