Kairos

I’ve been reflecting a lot on the Christmas story as I’ve been preparing to preach this December. This week, I was particularly thinking about God’s timing. From a human standpoint, it would appear that Gabriel’s message to Mary was mistimed. She had just gotten engaged (betrothed) to Joseph. She was from a poor family, way too young to be a mother, unmarried, untrained, and unprepared. She was from Nazareth, not from Bethlehem (where the Messiah was prophesied to be born) and had no reason to go there. Yet, the angel said in his announcement that God’s timing is perfect and good news to all people!

Many years later, the Apostle Paul would write that God knew exactly what he was doing and that his timing was perfect. “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV). The word for “time” here is the Greek word kairos, which means “the right or opportune moment.” We often look backwards and see those kairos moments in our lives, but in real time, God’s timing looks suspect. For this very reason we need to heed the Holy Spirit’s whispers and stay attuned to God’s voice. God always acts at just the right time, even when it may not look like it to us. We need to be ready to say yes, even if the timing looks to be a little off to us.

It’s been almost six years now, but I remember it like it was yesterday. My District Superintendent called and asked me if I would come and speak with Bishop Gwinn. I knew what the meeting was about…moving! I didn’t want to go and talk to him, because I had NO INTENTION of moving. I had my speech to the bishop all worked out in my mind. I planned to tell him that the timing was all wrong. After all, we were starting a building program; I was leading a mentoring ministry that was completely dependent upon my current setting; I had just hired two new staff members; and most importantly, I did not feel called to leave where I was serving. If that was not enough to dissuade him, I would add that my family was content, my wife had just started a new ministry job, we had just finished painting our house and we wanted to enjoy the fruits of our labors for a few more years.

Just to be safe, I had come up with an excuse for why I could not go to any of the churches I knew needed pastors that year in our annual conference. I drove to the location where the Bishop was meeting with his superintendents, and listened graciously to the bishop’s speech to me, thoroughly intending to refute anything he had to say. Then, he surprised me! He told me he thought I would be a good fit at Covenant in Greenville. All of sudden, I found that I had nothing to say to him. In fact, I knew immediately that this call was not from Bishop Al Gwinn but from God. I told him I would go home and pray about it, but when you know that God is right in the middle of something, can you really say NO to it? I didn’t understand the timing of this call to move, but I telephoned the bishop back and affirmed that I would indeed move to Greenville.

Of course, I’m glad I did. I couldn’t imagine not being here now. I love serving at Covenant, and I love being your pastor. I am thankful for his call, even if I was reluctant to hear it at first.

I am thankful God is still speaking and calling people. I am also thankful that his timing is still impeccable. Our job is to learn to listen to the voice of God and to be ready to say yes. I still love Mary’s answer to the angel: “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it be to be just as you have said.” What an example of spiritual attentiveness and obedience! Here’s to a new year of listening for and obeying God’s miraculous timing in our lives!

Merry Christmas to all you! Praise the Lord for his marvelous gift of Jesus Christ to us.

Branson

Halfway There!

We’ve been traveling to Champaign, Illinois, for Thanksgiving for the last 23 years. In fact, I’ve never eaten Thanksgiving Dinner anywhere else since Teff and I got married. For my whole family, Champaign is Thanksgiving! Read more »