(This is a series of blogs that build one upon another. Therefore, you should read them to better understand the concepts presented.)
Personal testimony: Called to ministry at 16 years. Entered ministry at 30 years.
I distinctly remember where I was the moment that I surrendered to the ministry. I was seated in the balcony that day. I don’t know what the pastor talked about, but I do remember that within my heart, I heard the Lord say that I would be in the ministry. It wasn’t something that I was seeking, but there it was. A moment in time that could have been ignored or disregarded but by saying “yes,” I honored the moment of visitation. Fast forward another 14 years, newly married and working in construction, I heard the same voice speaking. This time I listened to these words, “I am opening a door for you that, if you don’t go through, will not open again for a long time.” I don’t know why, but it came with an understanding that I was supposed to give notice on my job and attend Bible School full-time. To my wife Lisa’s credit, when I went home and told her, she had zero pushback. She is full of faith that way. I guess you could say that we both discerned the time of our visitation. When we look at Scripture, we can see that not everyone receives their visitation the way that we did.
“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.“
Luke 19:41-44
This city missed their kairos moment. He wept over the city. He wanted them to recognize their visitation. He wanted them to grab hold of their time but they did not. The Pharisees had pressured Jesus to rebuke His disciples for shouting His praises on Palm Sunday. They completely missed the point of what was happening even though it was what generation after generation had longed for.
There are generally two ways that the Bible talks about time. These two ways are represented the Greek words, chronos and kairos. Chronos is clock time. We use clocks and calendars to keep track of it. Chronos designates the continuous flow of time, but Kairos points out a significant moment of time. It is the right time, the perfect time. While chronos clicks on we can become discouraged, but all the time God is working things out in the background arranging things for kairos to emerge. We used to have a saying at our church, “Nothing, nothing, nothing – POW!” Meaning, that at times it looks like nothing is happening, then it seems like everything is happening at once. Breakthrough!
Here is a passage from Amos that illustrates this kind of breakthrough:
“Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.” GOD’s Decree. “Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings . . .”
Amos 9:13 MSG
Obey or Disobey, but No More Delay
- In chronos times, when God speaks, we have three options: to obey, to disobey. To disobey at best causes delay in God’s plan. At worst, it becomes a lost opportunity.
- But when kairos moments come, delay is no longer an option.
So either we will walk with the Lord and enjoy seeing His purposes fulfilled or we will watch what He does at a distance. But either way, He will move and align circumstances and situations in accordance with His purposes.
We are presented with kairos at a point in time. To redeem the time, you have to be aware of it. You discern it and you grab it. Don’t let one get by you. We’ve all done it. Thank God for grace and mercy. There are Kairos moments in your relationships with others, perhaps it is a teachable moment with your kids. Maybe the perfect time to create a lifelong memory or to say yes to God and see massive growth in your relationship with the Lord. Whatever you do, obey, do not delay!
