On Sunday, we wrapped up our “Whisper” series talking about how God moves through promptings, causing us to rethink our measurement system.
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT
“making the most of every opportunity” is the exact idea of “kairos.” Do you remember the difference between “chronos,” and “kairos?”
I tried to make the case that we get so caught up in our chronos (the what and the when) that we completely forget about the why, so we miss the opportunity for our chronos to become a kairos.
How do you feel when you realize you have “missed a golden opportunity” that may never return again. Can you think of examples?
We have ways at looking at these missed opportunities… When we discover ourselves in the middle of a difficult chronos, we say things like: “Every cloud has a silver lining.” “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” “Keep calm and carry on.” “No pain, no gain.” “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”
Aren’t there better ways of looking at our difficult times than trite little cute proverbs? Maybe we should look at ours the way Paul looked at his.
And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
Philippians 1:12-19 NLT
I think anyone would agree that Paul was in the middle of a bad chronos… Why was he in prison?
Not only was he imprisoned, but what else could have gotten him down and made it all that much worse?
How could Paul say that “everything that ha happened to me here has helped….” Helped what? How did he know? What evidence did he offer?
What was Paul’s conclusion? (“Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so…”) Do you agree or disagree with his idea?
Am I able to view even my worst chronos moment as a potential kairos, as Paul did?
For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
Philippians 1:20 NLT
Paul’s one desire seemed to be that God would leverage any and every chronos he found himself in for a greater kairos… For the Kingdom to grow.
Paul uses expressions like, “fully expect and hope,” “I will continue to be bold,” and “I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ.” What do these expressions tell you about his attitude during this time?
Based on what we’re seeing in Paul’s life, how should we approach our own chronos?
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
Philippians 1:21-26 NLT
Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
What personal difficulty/dilemma is Paul explaining to us here?
Why do you think he was “torn between the two?”
What was his ultimate conclusion and hope?
What about my attitude toward my own chronos should change so God can leverage my chronos for his kairos?