Trust in God’s Timing

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life is the need to discern God’s timing rather than rely on my own ability or human decision to force my calling. When God calls us, it’s not because God needs us, but because of God’s grace. God can call anyone else to do God’s work, and yet God chooses us to collaborate with. This understanding has transformed my approach to life, reminding me that it’s not God who needs us, but we who desperately need God.

When my wife and I felt called to move to Vancouver for my studies at Vancouver School of Theology, we did everything we could to discern if it was truly God’s calling. While we prayed about it, we remained faithful in the ministry God had already entrusted to us. At the time, we led a youth ministry with over 150 youths, organized services, and mentored future leaders. We were also managing our church bookstore. We didn’t want to force anything—only to be faithful to the present calling and trust God for the future.

Eventually, we surrendered our future into God’s hands, knowing that whether our visa was approved or denied, God’s timing would be perfect.

However, the visa process was challenging. Due to a refugee influx, our visa was delayed for six months, leaving us in uncertainty. We wanted a clear answer from God—either a “yes” or “no” regarding our future in Canada. But through that waiting, we learned that God’s timing isn’t something we control. We had to trust God fully. Eventually, we surrendered our future into God’s hands, knowing that whether our visa was approved or denied, God’s timing would be perfect.

This shift in perspective led us to focus on what God was doing in the present. We deepened our commitment to the ministry God had entrusted to us. I was reminded of a quote from Dr. Stephen Brown: “You are not a leader until you have produced another leader who can produce another leader.” Regeneration became our focus. We realized that God was not just calling us to a new season; God was preparing others to step into leadership roles. It was not about us or the ministry being dependent on us—this was God’s ministry. We were simply vessels in God’s hands.

And then, just as we had learned to be content in the present, we received the call for our medical check-up, a sign that our visa process was progressing. Soon after, our visa was granted, and by God’s grace, we relocated to Vancouver smoothly. God had not only opened doors for my studies at VST, but also provided a job for me at Bon Ton Pastry & Confectionary, a beloved and historic pastry shop in Vancouver, established in 1926. I now find myself working with recipes that have shaped Vancouver’s culinary culture for nearly a century—another unexpected blessing and opportunity for ministry.

Orientation week 2024 | Photo by Christopher Sanford Beck

As I reflect on our journey, I am filled with gratitude. God’s grace not only led us through uncertainty but also entrusted us with new opportunities. My wife, who played such a crucial role in finding VST and supporting our transition, is now contributing to the VST community, serving in ways that will impact students and faculty alike.

The lesson we’ve learned is this: God’s timing is always perfect. We are called to be faithful in the present, discerning what God is doing now. As Mother Teresa wisely said, “Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” This is the essence of discerning God’s timing in our calling—faithfully aligning ourselves with God’s work, knowing God’s grace sustains us.

Christian Santana is a Master of Divinity student at Vancouver School of Theology. Originally from Indonesia, he is a Bible scholar with a passion for ministry, having served in youth leadership and pastoral roles. Alongside his theological studies, Christian is a pastry chef with extensive experience in bakery and pastry arts.