LATE BLOOMERS

I read this article by Nehemiah Ministries about late bloomers. He was talking about how sometimes it may not be a bad thing to be a late bloomer after all. He said the best opportunities in life sometimes open later than we expect--sometimes much later. Each of us is a late bloomer in certain ways. While we naturally label certain individuals, as late bloomers, every one of us has areas of life where we realize our potential on a timetable that to us seems behind schedule, in some cases greatly delayed.

For these opportunities to blossom, however, we have to stay hopeful, alert and active in pursuing them. It takes so little to discourage us, and to convince us that a dream’s delay means God’s hand has turned against us. In the Christmas story, Paul declares that Jesus was born “when the time had fully come” (Gal 4:4). The beautiful poetic language of the King James renders the phrase “in the fullness of the time.” It means a time that was perfect because God had brought a wide variety of circumstances fully into place.

Just as God brought Jesus to earth in the fullness of time, He brings about important events in our lives in the fullness of time for those circumstances. We see only the faintest portion of all that God is doing. Yet God takes a vast number of factors into account in providing for our needs, fitting His blessings into the broader context of His plan for our life and His intentions for the world. This means we may reach certain horizons earlier in life than we expect, in other cases later.

Elizabeth and Zechariah’s experience demonstrates the most gratifying part of late blooming--the fact that late-realized dreams are often the most fulfilling. Their dream of parenting not only finally came true, but they were privileged to raise a son who ministered profoundly to people of his day. And Zechariah’s opportunity for temple duty, coming very late in his career, involved a theophany, which few if any of his colleagues were honored to enjoy.

When we personally have a dream that has long been frustrated, though it fits us well, it’s natural to conclude that God doesn’t want us to succeed. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s example suggests a different possibility--that God may intend us to succeed on a later timetable than we assume, and to enjoy even greater benefits as a result. God’s delays don’t necessarily mean He is saying no to our dreams. It’s a time to remember that delayed dreams are often the best ones, and to rekindle our determination to stay committed to those he has shown us are most important. Appreciating God’s infinitely creative timing helps us find the heart to stay the course.

I used to think it's a bad thing to be a late bloomer because it means I am at the tail, not the head. But God's ways are not my ways. Oftentimes in His kingdom, the first shall be the last and the last shall be the first. I used to be a competitive person and I didn't want to lose out, didn't want to be left behind, while my peers progressed in their lives. However the Lord has taught me that there is a timing and a plan for His purposes to be fulfilled in my life. Even when I think it is late on my timetable, it is never too late for Him. I have learnt to commit the timing issue to God trusting that He is bringing a variety of circumstances and people fully into place. He has gone ahead to prepare the way for me so that I would enjoy the promise when it comes.