One of the unique differences between Christian artists and the majority of other musicians is openness about the muse for music. Christian art is about testifying to the God who is, glorifying Him through song.
The story behind Kari Jobe’s new album The Garden is a real life example of the reason for the hope she has in Jesus. In the title track, Jobe describes the desperation she felt when her sisters’ infant James Ivy arrived stillborn. Jobe was pregnant at the same time. The loss bore all the tragedy of shared dreams shattered and hope falling limp before the Lord.
But God.
In His perfect timing, He brought healing and revived hope for Jobe when months later a garden at her new home began to bloom. It had looked a mess, and she wasn’t sure what it would produce. She discovered, climbing up with fresh life, ivy.
Her reflection resounds in the title track lyrics: “For this moment you planned ahead that I would see your faithfulness…”
My friend Lois recently wrote about her own experience with God planning ahead for her when she received a birthday lost in the mail months late- but God timed it right when she needed it.
Another friend, Christine, wrote of reaching just the right person in customer service. God’s timing of the call resulted in conversation leading to a personal connection through which she can share the reason for her hope.
Still another friend told me how she was frustrated with the difficulty of locating and entering a food pantry to drop off bags of rolls. She arrived just in time to witness a man sadly turned away because the available bread racks were empty. Handing him the bread, she was able to tell him God loved him with the full conviction of knowing God had timed their visits so they would meet.
Our Lord goes before us (Deut 31:8.)
Into the garden in the spring. Into the mail system’s mess to delay cards. Into the customer service queue to connect people. Into the food pantry where a man in need of bread and the bread of life could be handed both at once.
The hope and awe bound up in recognizing God’s profound faithfulness are themes throughout Jobe’s CD. Direct praise is cultivated through “I Will Sing.” Stories of His inexplicable faithfulness ring out through “Miracles.” Awe resulting in drawing nearer to the Lord is represented through “Closer to Your Heart.”
Whether we’re waiting for the Lord to reawaken our hearts or reflecting on the majesty of God, we can be certain He is faithful. He who began the good work will complete it. He’s planned ahead. He’s gone before us and made a way.
The narrow road leads us to the abundant expanse of God’s glory. Praise be to our faithful God!
Interested in winning a copy of the CD? Comment on this post before 5pm EST of Friday, Feburary 10th!
You can also purchase a copy by clicking here.
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Only residents of continental U.S and Canada
This post may also be shared on: #MomentsofHope, #DreamTogetherLinkup, #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, #Thought-Provoking Thursday, #Heart Ecnouragement, #LiveFreeThursday, #DanceWithJesus, #LLMLinkup, Faith-Filled Friday, Sitting Among Friends, and #SoulSurvivalLinkup.
I’d love for you to guest post on First and Second! Especially for an upcoming series…more here.
Oh my goodness, you sweet friend, thanks for the mention, and thanks even more for such an encouraging and sweet post about God’s perfect timing… a reminder I’ll tuck close all the rest of the week so that I can know He’s making a way… and isn’t her album beautiful? This world needs music that soothes, if you ask me 😉 Hugs, and blessings! xxoo
So happy to share it, Christine! I love when multiple friends share stories that the Lord uses to reinforce a point in my life. Each of the stories was well-timed for me and encourages my heart too! I definitely enjoyed the soothing tone of her album- you’re right, we need more of that! Hugs and blessings back! : )
Beautiful words, well timed….Beautiful music well timed
Beautiful God. ALL. The time
Ah, Bethany … you write about my favorite Bible verse and mention me in the same breath as another one of my favorite bloggers (hi Christine)–what a sweet surprise this morning after a kinda restless night! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
So happy to, Lois! Your stories were well-timed for me too! And that’s funny- you two are among my favorite bloggers : ) Hope your nights have been a little more restful!
That story of the just in time bread is coming to me right after reading I peter 5:6. So much of God’s right-time-ness is miraculous– and lost on me in my hurry.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you– talk about timing : ) Thanks for sharing this verse Michele! I’m guilty of cheating myself out of what God is inviting me to in my hurry too.
So many great reminders of God’s faithfulness! He’s always right on time! 🙂
Our time, so frail in light of God’s time and timing is one of our crucibles to our faith. Time after time we see God’s faithfulness and Love at work; yet, continue to fret and stress the next stuff shoved at us! Father I believe, help my unbelief!
Praying it with you Steven!
God’s timing is always best.
Congratulations Lauren!! You were number 7 (counted up from the bottom!) so you won! : ) I’ll PM you the info needed to get you the CD!
Thanks for for the review. Sounds wonderful! Gods fauthfulness is everlasting.
I love that God’s timing is always perfect. Sometimes in my frustration I fail to remember this, and yet when I do, it is not hard to see. I remember years ago I was all worried about a meeting I was supposed to attend with two other women. Then last minute something came up and I couldn’t attend. I felt horrible and was dreading telling the ladies, when one of them called to say that neither of them could come and would tomorrow work? Imagine my elation! I had worried for nothing. God worked the details out. I try to remember this incident when I get all frustrated and worried.
I love little stories like that, Theresa! So helpful to recall when we’re tempted again!
Tuesday at the orthodontist: I asked my Dr. why he hadn’t been on FB for a while. He said, I will be this afternoon. Mom passed away this am at 7:30.
I placed my hand on his arm and prayed right there and then for him and his family. He took a little longer to tighten my braces that day, but I was aware the timing was perfect.
PS love your site title – first and second is my daily prayer!
Bethany,
Beautiful illustrations of God’s perfect timing. Sometimes we get the opportunities to understand why the wait was important or the detours big, but sometimes we don’t. I think, though, that He gives us those moments of seeing to give us something to remember when the seeing isn’t possible. We can trust that He is working everything for good. He is making all things good. Thank you so much for sharing this hope-filled post at #MomentsofHope! You are a blessing!
Lori