Principles of God’s Timing

Principle 1: The Holy Spirit doesn’t always move immediately.

Dr. Lyon makes it clear that God only moves in the “fullness of time.” God moves when God is ready to move. She tells about how the Ethiopian famine and the woman who died at her feet sowed the seeds for World Hope, which wasn’t founded until eleven years later. The prompting of the Holy Spirit did not lead to an instant solution or immediate action. It involved a process of witnessing, understanding, and gradually responding to the situation. 

The story shows that we need to have patience. We need to stay tuned to the Spirit’s ongoing guidance, even when it doesn’t lead to quick or straightforward outcomes. God’s plans unfold in his time, not ours. Sometimes the most profound changes require a period of waiting and preparation.

Principle 2: We may have to try several doors.

The journey of faith may require us to try several “doors” before we find the path God intends for us. We may face doors slammed in our faces. It can be like trying to find a hole in the defensive line to run the football through. 

This was how it was with Dr. Lyon’s journey to start World Hope International. Various attempts and explorations were made before finding the right pathway. Trying doors, in this case, is the process of seeking God’s will. It requires understanding that not every opportunity is part of God’s plan. It is a testament to the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of closed doors. Each “no” is a step closer to a “yes” if the vision is from God. One person has gone so far as to say, “Every closed door is an answer to prayer.”

Principle 3: God will give us some assurances.

In the midst of uncertainty and waiting, God provides assurances along the way. These assurances are signs that we are on the right path, even when the end goal is not yet in sight. Dr. Lyon received those assurances in various unexpected ways, such as the unexpected support for the mission in Haiti. These assurances are God’s way of encouraging us to keep moving forward. They are affirmations that God is with us and guiding our steps, even when the full picture is not clear.

Principle 4: A leap of faith may be required.

Taking a leap of faith is often a necessary part of following God’s timing. This leap involves stepping into the unknown, trusting that God will catch us. The decision to start World Hope International at the age of 55, with no clear financial security, demonstrated this kind of leap of faith. We trust God over our own comfort and certainty. We are willing to take significant risks in response to God’s call. This principle challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones, relying on faith rather than sight.

Principle 5: Plan anyway.

The balance between our wills and God’s plan is a mystery. Just because God has called us to something does not mean that we are not involved. We plan. We take action steps. The Lord will redirect us if we start moving in the wrong direction. We recalibrate.

Starting World Hope involved careful planning and strategizing, despite not knowing how everything would unfold. When Dr. Lyon met with a donor, she had prepared a budget. Just because the Lord is leading us does not mean we do not do our part. We are prepared. This is the mysterious balance between faith and action. We actively prepare for the opportunities God will bring, even when we don’t have all the answers.

Principle 6: Your focus will improve over time.

As we continue to say “yes” to God and follow his lead, our focus and understanding of the vision will become clearer. The journey to establishing World Hope involved constant readjustment as the path unfolded. Yes, we plan. But if we are not flexible enough to modify our plans, we may not succeed. Openness to the Spirit means openness throughout the whole process of saying “yes.”