Tying Up Loose Ends: Trusting God’s Timing

I don’t like loose ends. You know the type… that irksome unfinished business that taunts you with the realization that you have tasks left to complete and problems left to be solved. As of late, I have experienced the gamut of such. From the trivial loose end of a house that desperately needs cleaning to the more sobering issue of a parent with dementia who needs to move up in her memory care.

Loose ends are like open tabs in my mind, depleting my storehouse of peace and joy—should I allow them to have their way. They can be energy-suckers, leading to feelings of overwhelm as I drown in the unfinished and unresolved. Much like a whack-a-mole game at Chuck E. Cheese, loose ends can keep you whacking in vain, with no end in sight.

Yes, some tasks in life are ours to tie up—like taxes needing to be completed by April 15th and mortgages needing to be kept current—but there are others that, once we have done our part, remain open. It’s then that we must surrender to another to tie the knot and finish the job. As we wait, we can be tempted to take matters into our own hands, unable to withstand the weight of patience and faith.

Biblical Examples of Loose Ends

Throughout Scripture, both Old and New Testament individuals were met with loose ends of their own. Like us, they faced a decision: rely on personal strength and control or choose surrender and faith.

Sarai’s Impatience Led to Unnecessary Struggle

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

Sarai, low on patience and belief, decided to send her husband, Abram, to lie with her servant, Hagar. Though she had been promised a child, years of waiting led her to take matters into her own hands. The result? Ishmael—a son born out of a faithless decision. Later, she did conceive Isaac, the true child of promise, but not without facing the turmoil created by her initial impatience.

The Prodigal Son’s Premature Decision Brought Hardship

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” – Psalm 37:7

Similarly, the Prodigal Son pursued his own loose-end solution by taking his inheritance early. His father, in gracious generosity, allowed him to do so, and he set off to seek fame and fortune. However, he soon realized his decision was premature and reckless. His finances ran dry, and he found himself jobless, destitute, and eating from the same troughs as pigs.

Had he waited for his father’s timing, he would have avoided unnecessary trauma and shame.

The Ultimate Loose End: Tied by Jesus

As we look toward Easter, I am reminded that God Himself tied up the biggest loose end. Jesus, His beloved Son, was always the solution for our sin. He bridged the gap between humanity and the Father in the most complete way imaginable.

This truth strengthens me as I face my own loose ends. Right now, I’m navigating challenges:

• Building a real estate business in a less-than-ideal market.

• Making the right decision for my children’s education next year.

• Watching my mother’s dementia slowly take more of who she was.

In prayer, God has reminded me of three powerful truths that help me resist the urge to take control and trust in His perfect timing.

#1: The Provision Was Always in Place

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1

Jesus was in place during creation, long before Adam and Eve chose to bring sin into the world. God had provision before the need even arose.

Likewise, God is never caught off guard by our challenges. While we may be surprised by a loose end, He not only knew about it but already has a solution in process. We can rest in that truth.

#2: The Solution Was Surprising

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. – Isaiah 55:8

The Jewish people expected a Messiah who would be a military leader—someone who would overthrow the government with force and power. But Jesus came as a servant, gravitating toward the lowly and overlooked.

Similarly, the way God ties up our loose ends may not look how we expected. His methods may seem unconventional, but His solution is always better than any plan we could devise. Trusting Him requires patience, but it leads to His best rather than a cheap, temporary fix.

#3: The Conclusion Was Complete

“It is finished.” – John 19:30

As Jesus hung on the cross and breathed His last breath, He declared with finality that the work was done. No longer would humanity be separated from God. His sacrifice sealed our fate in a way that was total and eternal.

When we wait on God’s timing, we can trust that His resolution will be complete—not just for us, but for those around us. His solutions address details beyond our limited understanding. His results seal up every crack and tie every loose end.

Waiting on God’s Timing

This Easter season, no matter what challenge you’re facing, you can choose to wait for God to tie your loose ends rather than rushing to control the outcome.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14

Let’s reflect on Jesus—His patience, His trust in the Father, and His complete work on the cross. Together, we can create space for God to work and experience the completeness of His perfect solutions.

Are there any loose ends in your life that you need to surrender to God today?