the original language of the christian scriptures has an interesting take on time. there are two words that refer to “time”. chronos refers to the passing of time - the concept of a chronological set of events. The fascinating word for time is kairos. kairos refers to “the right time”. it is used to proclaim the conviction that “the time is now”!
kairos is a way of living. it honours the present.
I say, if God can’t be found in the present, he won’t be found.
We may be tempted to go looking for God in other circumstances. We may be tempted to go and sit at the feet of some swami in India. but God (truth) is not more apparent or real in India or Tibet or any particular holy shrine. If you can’t find God where you are, you’re not going to find him in India!
We may be tempted to go looking for God in other times. We may read about the early church in the book of Acts and wish our lives away, desiring to rather have lived in that time. Or we could fantasize about some utopian future and wish our life away in favour of the dream. but God (truth) was no more present back then than in any other time in history. If you can’t meet with God today, you’re not going to suddenly awaken to intimacy tomorrow. Intimacy will begin today with the desire for it. For even “the desire to pray is prayer itself” (dom chapman)
We may be tempted to wait for a better season. We may be struggling with pain and despair, a period of depression or physical sickness, or suffering the loss and longings of bereavement. And we may be tempted to think that the invitations of Jesus are just too hard to be meant for now… We’ll wait for an easier time to begin to listen and follow. There will be no easier time. Nor a better time to begin to listen to the gentle invitations, intended not to constrain but to free, not to confound but to guide and heal…
kairos: now is always a good time to begin…
Thx Barry.
I needed to read this today.
God bless
Hanno
Comment by Mev-Dominee — 24 June, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
Hey B
you write so flipping well. Thanks for todays thoughts
Pete
Comment by Pete G — 26 June, 2008 @ 11:34 pm
you guys inspire me to write.
i wrote this little reflection in the middle of an argument with my spouse… interesting inspiration…
Comment by barry — 29 June, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
there was a break in the argument… i wasn’t typing whilst arguing - although that is something we sometimes fight about…
Comment by barry — 3 July, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
My wife also has a go at me from time to time when I sit late at night on the computer instead of “coming to bed”…. which has nothing to do with… oh never mind.
I lifted some of this for a weekly comment that I included in my church notices last Sunday. And yes, I did tell the congregation that you wrote it. Hope you do not mind.
Comment by Pete Grassow — 9 July, 2008 @ 12:42 am
you are welcome pete.
somehow i sense that when you put stuff “out there” it’s no longer yours.
it’s the property of those who will use it (as you have done with kind acknowledgment - thanks) for some growing purpose.
it’s also the property of those who use it for some unkind purpose of breaking and judgement.
intellectual property is an interesting thing to insist on - as if our ideas our “ours”. i mean if we stumble on some “truth” can we claim it as ours…????
it is nice to know that your “voice” is heard though. thanks for “lifting” some of my stuff!
Comment by barry — 14 July, 2008 @ 9:14 pm