BLESSED NEW YEAR! BUT IS IT A NEW SEASON?

Many people look forward to the New Year with the hope of a new start. Having rested over Christmas they feel energized for the New Year. But just because the clock ticks over another calendar year, does it necessarily mean that it is a new season for us as believers? Is our God necessarily constrained by our calendar years?

There is a very interesting verse in 1Chron 12:32 which says “men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” In this verse it says that the men of Issachar (who were descendants of Issachar, a son of Jacob) knew what season the Nation of Israel was in and hence knew what action should be taken. In other words, for us to decide what needs to be done, we first need to know what season we are in.

In the Greek New Testament we find two words for ‘time’ which have quite different meanings. Firstly, we have ‘chronos’ time. This refers to the time we measure by means of a clock or calendar. This is sequential or chronological time; minute by minute; day by day; year by year.

Secondly, we have ‘khairos’ time, which refers more to a period of time, a season, or a window of opportunity. It may last a few minutes, days or years. It can be measured, usually in hindsight, by ‘chronos’ time but is mostly not restricted to a neatly defined period of ‘chronos’ time. As the old saying goes: “We must take the opportunity of a lifetime in the lifetime of the opportunity.”

Acts 1:6-7 ESV “…they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time (chronos) restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons (khairos) that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”

The disciples wanted to know about the ‘chronos’ time but Jesus responded by mentioning ‘khairos’ time. Many people today are more focussed on the clock or the calendar than the season they are in with God.

There are season’s that we go through as individuals, as a church family and as a nation with God, and they are all different.

Can you discern the season that you are in with God? As we look forward to a new year, 2014, do you sense a shift or change in your season or do you believe the season that you are currently in is not over? It is so important to pray & ask God about it. I pray that you would discern, like the sons of Issachar, what season you are in and therefore walk boldly into 2014, full of faith and grace, knowing what God wants you to do.

God Bless

Ps Jacques