But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
When’s a good time to call? Did I catch you at a bad time? Do you have time for me now? What time will you be home? When can we expect the delivery? Time is the currency of our times. For many people, time is more important than money. Younger people will choose a job with more freedom over one with higher pay but more hours required. I’m sometimes guilty of saying, I don’t want to deal with that now. It may be that my mind is shot and I can deal with it better after a good night’s sleep. Or it could be that I hope that if I put it off long enough it will go away.
Felix seems to be wanting to do both. He wants to put off dealing with Paul and the charges against him. Maybe he thought it would eventually fade away. But it’s clear, also, that he was wanting to be offered a bribe, so he calls for Paul from time to time.
Felix offers the most clear view into his motives, however, when he says, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”
It is a dangerous thing to put God off until a convenient time. That’s because God is not beholden to our schedules or convenience. He is not our genie be be summoned at our whilm. Our time is in his hands. We can say that in faith or in resignation. Better to say it in faith, remembering that God’s timing is good. It is better than acting at our convenience.
We might become impatient with God, wishing he would answer our prayers more promptly. We might wonder what is taking him so long to act. It might seem that God has us on hold for all too long. Peter reminds us, however, that “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
The most convenient time for us to yield to God’s call, repent of our sins, and trust in God is now. Today. Now is the acceptable time. Now is the time of salvation. Now is the time to listen when God is speaking to us. For his words are grace and truth. Life and salvation are found in faith in his words. Now.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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