Paul Luckraft reviews ‘Two Minutes Added On’ by Stephen Bishop (Zaccmedia, 2018)

Stephen Bishop’s latest book is a sequel to his previous book, ‘Time: Full Stop or Question Mark?’. When interviewed for Prophecy Today he said he felt there was more to say on this topic and that he would be exploring certain aspects further which may result in another book. So, here it is!

The title is based upon a sporting analogy (added time at the end of a football match) and is intended to show that “God’s work is not constrained in an unyielding timeframe…when the whistle is blown to end the match is down solely to the referee” (p4-5). God is the final arbiter. He may add on time in our situations or say when no more time is left.

As before, this is an easy read in several short chapters which opens up possibilities for further reflection. Each chapter ends in this fashion with ‘points to ponder’ which makes it not only suitable for personal devotion but also for group discussion.

Discerning God’s Timing

There is a straightforward structure to the book. After the introduction, a foundational chapter looks at the healing of the paralysed man who was lowered through the roof while Jesus was teaching in a crowded house. This ‘interruption’ could be seen either as a disruption to Jesus’ busy schedule or an unexpected opportunity to perform a new work of God, unplanned and unforeseen. How do we respond when such interruptions come our way? Jesus’ attitude was to find ‘extra time’ for this individual.

The heart of the book (chapters 3-9) takes us through seven passages from John’s Gospel in order to explore the time elements found there. The key message in all of these is that in following Jesus we must be prepared to allow him to shape our time. It may not always be easy “to discern God’s timing in respect of action that we need to take, but He is able and willing to show it to us if we ask” (p25).

How do we respond then unforeseen interruptions come our way? Do we find ‘extra time’?

There is a good example of how Jesus accepted delays and rearrangements when his talk with a Samaritan women created an unexpected opportunity for further ‘evangelism’. When the Samaritans urged him to stay he spent two days with them, delaying his original plan to return to Galilee, but with the result that many more become believers (John 4:40-41). There was no sense that this would make him late for his ‘next meeting’! Indeed, his next miracle (healing the official’s son) was performed ‘right on time’ (John 4:49-53).

Other passages considered also show that Jesus’ perspective on time was very different from that of his disciples. He seemed untroubled by the ‘ticking clock’, unconcerned that time may be ‘running out’. Sometimes things happened after ‘a long time’ (e.g. healing the invalid at the pool) or late in the day (e.g. feeding the 5,000), but Jesus always understood God’s timetable.

Practical Lessons

For us, time pressures often create anxiety or urgency, even panic. We may react by rushing into Plan B because there is not enough time now for Plan A. Yet, we need to learn that “No countdown is outside God’s control or ability to miraculously intervene” (p59).

Equally we may have to put aside what we think is our ‘right’ to not have to wait. When God ‘puts us on hold’ we must accept this and learn to trust him.

The book concludes with three postscripts on passages taken from Acts. The author intends these to be ‘launch pads’ to show us that like the early believers we can also “take practical steps to personally experience God move outside our conception of time” (p5).

Jesus’ perspective on time was very different from that of his disciples. He seemed untroubled by the ‘ticking clock’.

The treadmill of routine need not be our constant expectation. What may start as ‘just another day’ may become extraordinary in God’s timing. Equally, periods of waiting and wondering can also have their value. We need ‘in between’ times for spiritual rest and re-evaluation. The Book of Acts was not always a mad dash from one miracle to another. Even Paul was set aside or held up at times (e.g. Acts 9:9, 16:6-8).

Overall, this is a useful book which repays thoughtful reading.

‘Two Minutes Added On’ (130pp, paperback) is available from Amazon for £6.99. Available on Kindle for less. Click here to read our review of Stephen’s other book, ‘Time: Full Stop or Question Mark?’, and click here to read our interview with the author.