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I recently watched a new documentary on Muhammad Ali that was produced by Ken Burns. (The film can be streamed at no charge on the PBS website) . As I have mentioned both in the pulpit and in this blog (click here for another life lesson from Ali), Ali is one of my heroes. I have probably watched every film and read every book that seeks to explore his mastery of the craft of sweet science of boxing, his commitment to social justice, and the impact of his legacy. Mr. Burns (who is an American treasure) has done a characteristically thorough job in telling Ali’s story. He also included a few anecdotes from the Champion’s past that deepened my appreciation of this phenomenal human being. One of them was the timing of Ali’s announcement that he had become a member of the Nation of Islam.

Before Muhammad Ali was Muhammad Ali he was Cassius Clay. Born in Louisville, Kenticky in 1942, Ali grew up in a Christian environment, but became increasingly disillusioned with what he felt was the church’s inadequate response to racial injustice. Shortly after he won the Olympic Gold Medal in Boxing at the 1960 Rome Olympics, Ali became inspired by the teaching of Elijah Muhammad, developed a close friendship with Malcom X, and (secretly) converted to the Nation of Islam. It was his intention to announce his conversion to Islam prior to him fighting for the Heavyweight Championship in 1964. However, he was persuaded to wait until after he won to make the announcement. The logic behind the counsel he received was that such a controversial decision might cost him the chance to achieve his goal. So he wisely heeded the counsel, and waited. Less than a month after he won the title, he announced his conversion. And while controversial, it was too late for anybody to do anything to do anything about it. After all, he was ALREADY the champ.

As I was reflecting on that incident, I was reminded of the fact that timing is everything! We all have to learn how to strategically pursue our objectives, and understand that some decisions, announcements, and actions are better made after certain objectives have already been met. In his book the 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership, John Maxwell lays out a few principles relating the “law of timing.” He says that:

1. The wrong action at the wrong time leads to disaster

2. The right action at the wrong time brings resistance

3. The wrong action at the right time is a mistake

4. The right action at the right time results in success

Had Ali made his announcement before he was the Champ, it would have invited resistance. And often, we have the right idea. What we want to do makes perfect sense, and coheres with our deepest convictions. But some decisions are better made AFTER you have plan. Or a platform. Or a parachute. LOL.

My father would say that far too many of us want to put the cart before the horse. We want

• to change the man before we marry him

• change the company’s policies during orientation week

• tell the Pastor how to run the church the day after we get baptized

• wear a T-shirt showing our biceps after our first day in the gym

But some actions are taken AFTER you have a plan. Or a platform. Or a parachute.

There is an expression that we often find on the lips of Jesus throughout the gospels. We are repeatedly told Jesus says “my hour is not yet come,” or that “his hour had not yet come.” Most scholars contend that this expression refers to Jesus’ crucifixion in Jerusalem, which he understood to be the most important task he was to perform. All else was preliminary and tributary. In Luke 9:23, Jesus says

Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Every decision that Jesus made was designed to ensure that he was crucified in Jerusalem. Doing so would enable the gospel to reach the broadest possible audience. In fact, when he was crucified, we are told that a sign was posted on the cross in 3 languages (Greek. Hebrew, and Latin), signifying the universal import of his salviific act. Timing was everything. He had to be in the right place at the right time to reach the right goal.

Spend some time this weekend thinking about your timing. You may have the the right idea.

But make sure you have.a plan (to make sure your idea is executed or your wish is fulfilled) .

Or a platform. (to reach the widest audience and have the broadest impact).

Or a parachute (in case your plan doesn’t work out).