Often life can be defined by moments – moments where something happens, someone appears, or a word is spoken – moments where your life changes. These moments can be especially powerful and memorable when they come seemingly right in the nick of time before calamity ensues.

In the past, these just-in-time moments have usually been financial in nature for me. We have probably all been, to some degree, at that point where we are about to lose – whatever it is – if we don’t get ahold of some money. Then the unexpected refund comes, the early paycheck, or whatever the providence is. These are moments that help to build our faith – the moments that tell us that God is paying attention, and that the everyday problems we face are important to Him.

Sometimes these moments happen just-in-time and we don’t even realize it. My family and I listed our home for sale in Colorado 2 weeks ago, and within 3 days we were under contract. Remarkable as that is, we learned something later that was astounding to us. We went under contract on Monday afternoon. Monday evening, the Governor of Colorado announced that all in-person home showings were being immediately suspended for the duration of the stay-at-home order for that state. Talk about just-in-time! We made it by just a few hours, and this order only strengthens our position in the contract as the buyer would be less likely to back out when they cannot even shop for a different home.

Situations like this are wonderful, and they again drive home the point that God is always in control. And while it is great when we feel the release of financial burden just-in-time, God will intervene in other areas of life as well when you feel like you just can’t take another step.

I spoke on Easter about the people of Jerusalem crying out for deliverance, and showed that God had delivered them, they just missed it because it did not match the picture in their head. Ultimately, they needed deliverance from sin, because anything else would have proven to be only temporary, given their cyclical history over the past 2 millennia.

I need this deliverance. Sometimes I need this deliverance so badly that I have watched the various areas of my life shrivel up around me and begin to die as I revel in my sin. I may seek to fix these things individually, but the true problem goes much deeper. What I need, what will really save me, is getting on my face before the creator and asking for mercy. Begging for help and forgiveness. Asking earnestly that He would scrape out all of the garbage that I have allowed into my life to separate myself from Him. Surrendering myself fully – and just in the nick of time.

I would encourage you to take stock. Look at your life, and compare it to the man or woman that you know God created you to be. Ask God to reveal to you anything that needs to be cut away. I would encourage you to surrender the good and the bad – to humble yourselves before the almighty God and lay it all bare. I would encourage you to do this before you get to rock-bottom – to make this a part of your regular devotion to Him. Save those just-in-time moments for the things you cannot control, and give yourself fully to Him at every turn.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

“My son, give me your heart and your eyes delight in my ways,” Proverbs 23:26

“…call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22