“This is our destiny in heaven-to be like Christ: not Christ limited, as he was on earth, to the confines of time and flesh, but Christ risen, the great, free, timeless Christ of the Easter morning.”
–David Winter

Through a strange twist, I found this quote this morning. Sure, it isn’t Easter, but what day isn’t a day for celebrating the risen Lord? Come on, we sang “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” at church this last Sunday, and while it felt odd at first, it was a great song for any day.

When I think of being Christ-like, usually what I conjure up is His perfection, His knowledge, His ability, His compassion. And, as Winter’s words reminded me: His time. But this morning it was not in terms of the timing of things that happen when I want. It was more of how I easily think of time in a linear fashion only. A cause and affect. For example, I pray after this or that happens. But my pondering this morning is could I pray for someone in the midst of a situation they already went through? Situations for which I at the time of my prayer I do not know the outcome. Well, what happens with those prayers?

For example, last week I know someone who had surgery. I do not know the very minute that the knife began its work, but I was praying for a successful surgery. At some point my prayers for a successful surgery may have happened after the actual surgery. Are my prayers then meaningless prayers? Or suppose I am praying for a friend or relative across the country to find comfort in the hours before they go to be with the Lord. Although I do not know that they have already passed. Again, what of my prayers?

I want to and will believe that those prayers matter. I do not have to understand how. But my God, my omnipresent God, who is not bound by time, is a compassionate God. One who listens to the prayers of His people, even ones like me. He already knows my prayers of tomorrow and the next day.

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” – Isaiah 65:24

What I find AMAZING also is that I found myself reading 1 Thessalonians as I pondered things this morning. Verse 16 and 17 speak of rejoicing always and praying without ceasing. Then verse 18 – “in everything give thanks”. AWESOME!