The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Success or victory does not always go to the fastest, strongest, smartest, or most skilled person. Ordinary people can sometimes make the most extraordinary difference if they are willing to seize their God-given opportunity.
Solomon's statement, "Time and chance happen to them all," implies that everything in life is about seizing opportunities and putting vision into action. It all comes down to being the right person at the right time and place. Joseph is an excellent role model for us. Through big dreams, heartbreaks, betrayals, and imprisonment, God prepared Joseph to be the perfect person to save a nation from famine. He even rescued his own family in the process.
When God speaks, sometimes the opposite happens.
You may face opposition or disapproval from unexpected sources, battle self-doubt and insecurity, fear of failure, and struggle with unbelief. It's even worse when you believe others are ahead of you and your life lacks direction and purpose. Even if nothing seems to be going your way, do not give up.
You may think God has forgotten about you, but He knows exactly where you are and how to get you where He wants you to go. Even Jesus had to go through a process before he could face the Cross. Jesus knew He needed to be about His Father's business at the age of twelve, but He did not begin His public ministry until He was thirty.
God does not take any shortcuts when it comes to getting you ready.
This is necessary because God is aware of the challenges that may prevent you from fulfilling your life's purpose and destiny. You should learn to trust God's perfect timing. This could give you an advantage over those who are more qualified or in a better position than you.