When it comes to surrender, we may find it easier to yield to the nature of God’s plans. Yielding to the timing of his plans, however, is a test of faith on a different level.

We as humans, are wired and familiar with time in the linear sense. We find comfort in sequences, and step-by-step patterns, and view life’s progression like a movie or a storybook. God, however, exists beyond time and space. As the Second Reading states, “one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thou- sand years as one day.” He is omnipresent; he is everything, everywhere, all the time.

As his children, this means there is nothing that time has robbed us of, that God cannot restore. There is nothing we can ever be too late for, because God is forever on time. It means when we enthrone God in our lives, we choose to no longer be enslaved to the rhythm and clockwork of this world. Though we shall not know when, we do know that his providence and goodness are assured, for as the First Reading declares: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd.”

As his children, serving an omnipresent God also means that we are connected to the heartbeat of heaven. It means we do not move as the world does, but that we wait on him.

It means every day is a day of waiting on the Lord and for the Lord. And since we do not know his timing, every day must be lived as if it were the day of promise-fulfillment. Everyday must therefore, be a day of preparing the way of the Lord, and straightening his path, as Saint John the Baptist did.
The Gospel proclamation states, “The day of the Lord shall come as a thief”, not because God, like a thief, intends to rob us in the shadows, but because God, like a thief, may come and go, and we might miss him if we are not awake.

How could we stay awake? By meditating on the truth of his Kingdom, instead of the distorted truths of the world. By standing upon our true identity bought by Jesus’ blood, and not as shown in a mirror. By remaining vigilant for attacks of the enemy and fighting for the purity of our hearts, souls, and minds. By leading lives of repentance declaring victory over sin. And by remaining in constant connection with our omnipresent Father – the Author of time, the Saviour of our past, present and future, and the One who is never in a rush, and never too late.

Prayer: Abba Father, as we wait upon you, may we be found spotless and blameless in your presence. Amen.