A New Mind For the New Year

Have you ever changed your mind about something?  A person?  A situation?  A decision?  I remember when I was 8 years old and we got our first puppy; a German shorthaired pointer named Heidi.  Before Heidi I had many “terrifying” experiences with dogs.  I remember coming home from school one day and being greeted by our neighbor’s giant golden retriever…Samantha.  Samantha bolted toward me, jumped up, and took the ballcap right off my head while pushing me down to the ground and running away.  From an outsider’s perspective, all Samantha wanted was my hat and to play.  From my limited adolescent point of view all I thought she wanted was to outright kill me.

Back to Heidi.  When my parents brought her home, all 4 months of her, I ran away screaming.  My parents “forced” me sit down and slowly brought Heidi toward me.  I saw the beast coming closer and erupted into tears.  The next thing I know Heidi was sitting on my lap and starting to lick my face.  I remember this moment ever so clearly.  My tears turned to a smile and then to laughter.  Heidi became my new best friend.  From child-killing monster to closest companion.  That’s a change of mind.

In the beginning of the gospel of Mark, Jesus’ first words are: “The time is at hand, the kingdom of God is near; repent and believe in the gospel.”  In Greek, the language the New Testament was written in, there are two words for “time”.  One is “chronos”.  It’s where we get the word “chronological” from.  It refers to the time of day: 9am, 12pm, 5pm, etc.  It answers the question, “What time is it?”   Here Jesus is using another word: “kairos”.  Kairos refers to a memorable moment or event, either positive or negative.  And in the Scriptures it has a unique meaning that refers to a moment or event in which God is specifically trying to say something to us, in which “the kingdom of God is near” to you and to me.[1]

But what are we supposed to do with these “kairos” moments in life?  Well, the answer is right there in the Scripture: repent and believe.  You may hear the word “repent” and have a picture of either a guy on a bullhorn at the cross section of a street yelling at passersby or the idea of turning 180 degrees and going in the opposite direction in a certain area of your life.  Either description doesn’t really give you the picture of what Jesus is saying.  In Greek, the word “repent” (lit. “metanoia”) means to “change your mind”.  When we encounter these kairos moments, our task is to figure out what God is saying to us, and how we need to think differently about a person, a situation, our life or the lives around us.

What do you need to think differently about?  Some close friends have brought it to my attention over the past six months how little I encourage people (several kairos moments).  I challenge people to greater things, but don’t encourage them as they step out and try.  As a result I came across more as a drill-sergeant than a loving leader.  As you reflect on the previous year, what kairos moments have you had?  What has God been saying to you?  How is Jesus asking you to have a new mind for the new year?

Below is a list of areas to help you reflect on where your kairos moments. Try to think of 2-3 positive or negative kairos moments and share them with someone close to you to help you think through what God is saying to you and what you need to do about it.

Reflect on your heart, attitude, and actions in these areas.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Family: Wife, Husband, Dad, Mom, Kids, Brother, Sister

Job: Boss, Co-Workers, Faithfulness in your work

Friends (Christian/Non-Christian)

Neighbors

OTHER AREAS:

Finances: In need?  Need to give more?  Not responsible?

Academics

Church

The Poor

Sharing the Gospel

Sexual Purity

Prayer Life

Regular Scripture Reading

Balance of Work & Rest

Making Other Disciples

Serving