Don’t Miss Your Moment

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” began David Curry in his Sunday sermon at West Citrus.

After illustrating the point with several works of art, he then displayed a photograph of an ancient Greek sculpture.

At first glance, it appeared to be little more than another relic from antiquity. But behind the image was a powerful lesson about opportunities that Christians dare not miss.

It was a picture of Kairos, a minor figure in Greek mythology who personified opportunity.

David explained that one of the best-known descriptions comes from the poet Poseidippus, who wrote an epigram about a statue of Kairos sculpted by Lysippos.

The figure stood on tiptoe with wings on his feet, symbolizing that opportunity moves swiftly. A lock of hair hung over his forehead, but the back of his head was bald. The message was unforgettable: opportunity can be seized as it approaches, but once it has passed, there is nothing left to grasp.

Using that vivid image, David offered four “Everyday Opportunities” that form the basis of today’s blog post.

#1 Look for Opportunities to Be Alone with God Every Day

We live busy lives in America. Work. School. Family. Community service. Home maintenance. Errands. Extracurricular activities. All of these and more keep us on the go.

However, David challenged us to pause from our hurried and harried lives to think about God. Crave some private time every day to pray. Read Scripture. Reflect on God’s goodness. Count our blessings. Connect with the Creator.

Scripture often records Jesus separating Himself from the crowds, even His disciples, and the demands of His ministry to pray. Before major decisions, like choosing the twelve apostles, and before facing the cross, Jesus sought time alone with His Father.

Seize the opportunity each day to spend time alone with God.

#2 Look for Opportunities to Be Together with Christians Every Day

When David made that point, I found myself wondering, Every day? Really?

He shared the example of the Jerusalem Christians who met together daily and shared the hospitality of their homes (Acts 2:41-47).

Well, that was a different time.

Then David related an experience from a mission trip to Ethiopia. While teaching in a tiny village, he asked the Christians how often they assembled together.

“Every day,” they replied.

David admitted he was stunned.

Yes, they actually met in someone’s home or gathered in an open area simply to spend time together.

While acknowledging that our culture doesn’t always lend itself to daily gatherings, David challenged us to take advantage of every opportunity we do have—Sunday worship, Wednesday Bible study, ladies’ classes, men’s breakfasts, gospel meetings, and other gatherings of God’s people.

It also occurred to me that technology gives us additional opportunities. We can encourage one another through text messages, emails, FaceTime, or other video platforms. We can watch sermons online and share devotional thoughts with fellow believers.

Connection with other Christians provides the encouragement to “consider one another to stir up love and good works” (Heb. 10:24).

#3 Look for Opportunities to Perform Acts of Kindness Every Day

The classic biblical example of kindness and compassion is Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. Here was a man despised by the Jews who stopped to help a wounded stranger after both the priest and the Levite passed him by.

Again and again, Scripture urges us to “do good.”

Kindness and goodness know no boundaries. Regardless of race, color, creed, or ethnicity, opportunities abound to help others—friends and foes alike.

#4 Look for Opportunities to Be a Light in a Dark World Every Day

In a world filled with darkness, discouragement, and moral confusion, we must be people who shine the light of Jesus.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Christ commanded His disciples not to hide their light, but to let it shine like a city set on a hill (Matt. 5:14-16).

Amid the corruption and moral degradation of the Greco-Roman world, Paul wrote, “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). We are no less responsible today to be that light.

One church posted this sign above its exit to remind members of both their responsibility and their opportunity:

“You are now walking into the mission field.”

Kairos.

A vivid picture. A rich image. An important reminder.

In Galatians 6:10, Paul uses kairos to remind us that opportunities are gifts from God:

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Elsewhere he urges us to be “redeeming the time” (Eph. 5:16), making the most of every God-given opportunity.

Kairos is much more than a mythological figure or an interesting Greek word. It reminds us that every day God places moments before us that may never come again—a prayer that needs to be offered, a Christian who needs encouragement, a kindness waiting to be shown, or a light needing to shine.

Opportunities have a way of passing quickly. May we recognize them while they are before us—and seize them for God’s glory.

—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman