Matthew 9:20 “And behold, a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Him, and touched the border of His cloak …”

Jesus was never in a hurry! His life on earth was lived completely on His Father’s timing, and He never worried about getting things done in a timely manner. He just did the next thing and trusted God’s wisdom and sovereignty in all situations.

A month ago, I started stressing out as Dad and I prepared to go on a trip. Two weeks prior to leaving we put life into high gear to accomplish all the things that needed to be done before leaving for a week. By the time we headed out, I was thoroughly exhausted.

The whole drive I kept taking deep breaths trying to calm myself from all the activity of the past days while checking my phone every half hour hoping to hear back from someone who would take care of the last important detail while we were gone.

As I closed my eyes, I considered Jesus’ life. He traveled a lot but didn’t have my kind of frenzied activity no matter the circumstance. Even when called by a rich synagogue ruler to travel to the bedside of his dying daughter, Jesus paused when He felt the touch of a woman who had been sick with a blood disease for 12 years. Despite the urgency of His travels, Jesus stopped and spoke to the faith-filled woman who had suffered so much over the years and healed her body along with her soul.

Resuming the journey to Jairus’ house, He arrived to the sound of death wails. The little girl was dead! Yet even then Jesus did not stress out or panic but asked to see the child’s body. “The child is not dead, but sleeping,” He pronounced despite the mourners’ derision and unbelieving laughter.

Entering the room where she lay, Jesus took the child’s hand and called her to get up. Immediately she opened her eyes, stood up, and walked around. God’s will was done and the child came alive again.

Each day of His life on earth Jesus walked and lived trusting in God’s timing, and everything He was to do was accomplished as His Father planned. Amy Carmichael, a 19th-century missionary to India, said it well: “Christ never was in a hurry. There was no rushing forward, no anticipating, no fretting over what might be. Each day’s duties were done as each day brought them, and the rest was left with God.”

I must remember this the next time Dad and I plan to take a trip. But more than that, it is a good reminder for every situation in life. Calmly do the next thing. Trust God’s sovereignty and wisdom. And He will take care of the rest.