If you have ever been exposed to office politics then you will appreciate my little story. I was once part of leadership team who was at odds with another co-existing leadership team. Their leader did not like ours and vice-versa. We had a new president in our company and both sides were trying to demonstrate which team was the better one.
The results of that little contest came about abruptly one day when me and my leadership team were handed pink slips and shown the door. The only constellation from that moment in time was later hearing that the president made a comment afterward that he believed that he had let the wrong group of people go.
You see, time had told who was what.
You have probably noticed that when a business partnership dissolves, people want to know who’s to blame. When a church splits, people begin fault-finding. And when a marriage fails, we want to know who did what. And from that need to know comes lots of speculation, finger-pointing and whispering. Maybe something similar has happened to you?
If so, I’ve got a wonderful little secret for you – time is your friend. And it will always be one of your most faithful friends when it comes to resolving past issues related to disparaging remarks, ridicule and slander. Why? Time always tells who’s what!
Over time, based upon the behaviors and actions of those at the center of attention, we get to see the rest of the story. We get to see who is really on the up and up. We get to see which person was telling the truth. We get to see who was faithful and who was not.
There is something medicinal about time, don’t you think? Ever experienced a heartache that you thought would kill you, but now you only have bittersweet memories? Ever felt like blowing your top during the morning commute only to laugh about it with colleagues at lunch? Time takes care of a lot of things. And time always tells who’s what.
Although this principle is true, it does require time, which requires patience. We must use this time wisely – focused on pleasing God, doing our best and reacting honorably to negative press.
Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. Matt 26:59.
Not even Jesus could escape being scrutinized by public opinion. He was misunderstood and falsely accused.
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 NLT
Don’t you admire how Jesus kept His cool and stayed on task as others tried to smear His good name? While the people were trying to figure out if Jesus was the Good Teacher or a false prophet, He went on about His business. And this is what we must do when a partnership or relationship ends and inquiring minds want to know who is the bad guy (even when there may not be one). Our business is the same as Jesus’ – to be as obedient to living in the will of God as we can be.
Because in the end, time always tells who’s what.
~gina
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Award-winning author Gina Duke is a wife, mom and the Director of Women’s Ministry at her local church. With a B.S. in Organizational Leadership, she is able to bring a clear word for authentic Christian living. Through her book, “Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray” (Abingdon Press), she imparts 1 Peter 4:7 with the gift of structured prayer journaling. If you would like to schedule Gina to speak on prayer or host a prayer journaling workshop, click here for more information. You may also follow her on Twitter and Instagram @TheGinaDuke.
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Gina, you are so right about time being our friend. Time does allow things to heal. Even when there have been hard events, as time passes, healing comes. Thank you for reminding us.
Gayl, I am so glad you agree. I think this message is helpful and hope it resonates with those in a circumstance where they feel embarrassed by an event and in need of restoration. ~gina
Gina,
Time really does tell…it is always hard to remember that truth in the midst of something but Jesus modeled trust in God…Thanks for sharing your story at #RaRa Linkup 🙂
Yes, Dolly, it’s really all about trusting God to take care of everything else! Thanks for stopping by at #RaRA Linkup! ~gina
I found your site via #RaRaLinkup 🙂
What a wonderful reminder of God’s perfect timing! I can be so impatient, wanting to help bring Truth to light, that I’ve been tempted to help it spring forth in ungodly ways. Thank you for this timely post! I needed to hear this today.
I’m so glad to be of help, Tina. As I have struggled over some things in my past, this reminder has helped me greatly. Loved your comment that this truth helps keep you from bringing forth the truth in ungodly ways. Love it! ~gina
“For such a time as this”, “to be as obedient to living in the will of God as we can be”. Love this. 🙂 Finding you from the #raralinkup
Time does help but forgiveness heals. And yes, we continue onward ever obedient. Thanks, Gina.
Sheila, you are right about forgiveness. And sometimes God uses time to restore us in the minds of others. I am currently writing a book about the overcoming past mistakes and this one of the sections. I hope to get to share it soon! ~gina
Gina,
Visiting from Holley’s today (and so nice of you to visit my blog today!) but your post strikes a chord with me since it’s so hard to discern what’s what in the heat of the moment of difficulty, but time always helps me gain perspective! Great reminder!
Hi Gina! So glad to be your neighbor over at #TellHisStory. Great reminder to follow Jesus’ example, so hard, but so wise.:)
My husband and I are going through a situation like this right now. Time is on our side as is the Lord. Thank you for putting it so nicely!
Gina, Jesus was truly the ultimately example. May we take pause and allow time to show the truth rather than jumping to rash conclusions or making assumptions. Thank you for joining us at #RaRaLinkup.