Time is something we all think we don’t have enough of. We all have 24 hours to accomplish our daily routines. We probably spend about eight of those hours sleeping, and three (or more) of them eating. We have responsibilities like work and school and extracurricular activities such as sports, music and art. But what if you had absolutely nothing that had to be done, no daily routines? What would our 24 hours look like then?
In Haiti there is such a thing called “Haitian time." If something is scheduled at 4, then people might start showing up at 4:30 and it may not actually start until 5. This is how everything happens, from soccer games to meetings. I will admit, I have never been the most timely person, so going to Haiti and having time be laid back was easier for me than others that went with me. But as Americans, who rush through each and every day with a million things to do we don’t see “Haitian time” as a cultural norm, but something that is wrong with their country. Our arrogance starts to cloud our eyes and we say “they’re just too lazy to get here on time” or “they must not care about this enough to be here on time." The Haitian people do things on their own time without worrying about countless other activities. They also enjoy the moments of time God has blessed them with and soak up His true beauty. Some Haitians do have school and work to attend, but afterwards, their time is used for whatever they need it for. They know what needs to be done, and their philosophy is that if they don’t get it done today, there is always tomorrow. In America, we are so focused on the next step that we completely miss God’s beauty that is being shown to us in the now. Although we both have 24 hours in a day, it amazes me how polar opposite and extreme America and Haiti use it.
That is how I feel about God’s timing compared to ours -- they are complete opposites. In America, we love everything fast-paced. We want our day to be filled with things to do so we can feel productive. Americans are always looking ahead to what is next. But God is a 3 MPH God. His timing is definitely not our timing. I challenge you to go drive 3 MPH on the road in a car. It would probably be really frustrating and you will most likely get out and start walking faster than that. God’s plan is unfolding at a 3 MPH rate. We can get so frustrated and irritated with that speed, but He knows what He is doing. He is often working at a slow pace, letting each and every puzzle piece of life play out. I’m glad God is God and we are not because He is constantly looking at the bigger picture that we cannot yet see. He wants us to enjoy our time on Earth and soak up his creation, but half the time we are too busy to even remember that He is there. We think a faster, more productive life is what will make us successful when in reality, God is taking His sweet little time.
