“When you kill time, remember that it has no resurrection."
— A.W. Tozer
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
— Ephesians 5:15-17
THE WEIGHT OF TIME
I recently attended the funeral service for an 11-year-old girl who God called home after her battle with inoperable brain cancer. Throughout the service, her family members stood up, one by one, sharing stories that painted a picture of her beautiful soul.
Her father took the stage.
I sat there, struggling to comprehend the weight of his grief, wondering how he had the strength to stand, let alone lead his family through something so unspeakably difficult. He shared many memories, but one story in particular gripped my soul.
It was a bedtime conversation between him and his daughter, a conversation that took place after they had realized their time together was likely nearing its end.
They spoke about eternity. About the fleeting nature of life. About the fact that, soon, she would be with Jesus.
But instead of lamenting the time they wouldn’t have, they resolved to be faithful with the time they did have. They committed their remaining moments together to do the things they wouldn’t be able to do once they were together in Heaven.
That conversation hasn’t left me since.
In reality, we all have limited time—none of us know the day or the hour God will call us home. And yet, many of us live as if we will have endless years to get around to the things that truly matter.
TIME: CHRONOS VS. KAIROS
In Ephesians 5:15-17, Paul urges believers to “make the best use of the time.” The Bible speaks of time in two ways: chronos and kairos.
Chronos refers to the sequential passage of time—the ticking of the clock, the turning of the calendar, the sequential march of life.
Kairos, on the other hand, speaks of the right moment, the opportune time, divine moments, seasons of significance. It is not about marking time but discerning the moments that matter.
Paul tells us to "make the best use of the time" [Ephesians 5:16], and when he uses the concept of time he uses the word kairos—not chronos.
We are to discern the divine opportunities placed before us. To identify the moments that matter.
To live with a kairos mindset is to live with urgency—not in a reckless, hurried way, but in a purposeful, intentional way. It means recognizing that we don’t get a second lap around this track.
ON EARTH BUT NOT IN HEAVEN
So much of our energy is spent on things that, in the end, won’t matter.
We become excellent at things that have no eternal significance. We chase after wealth, reputation, comfort, entertainment—all while neglecting the many of the highest calls on our lives.
Consider this, there are opportunities we can step into now that will not exist on the other side of eternity.
Opportunities like:
Sharing the Gospel
In Heaven, everyone will know Jesus.
There will be no more need for evangelism, no more lost people to reach. That means our time to share the gospel—to introduce others to Christ—is now.
Living by Faith
In Heaven, faith will be made sight.
We will walk by sight, not by faith. But here, in this life, we have the opportunity to trust God when we cannot see. To lean on His promises even when we don’t fully understand. To take bold steps of obedience into the unknown.
Grieving with Those Who Grieve
Revelation 21:4 tells us that in Heaven, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.”
But here, people grieve.
Here, people suffer.
And here is where we get to come alongside them, weep with them, and remind them of the hope we have in Christ.
Loving Difficult People
In eternity, we will be fully sanctified.
There will be no relational strife, no difficult personalities, no misunderstandings.
But now? Now, we have the chance to love people who are hard to love. To extend grace to those who don’t deserve it. To be patient, kind, and forgiving, even when it costs us something.
Stewarding Our Time for God’s Glory
The way we spend our time now is shaping our eternity. Jesus spoke often about stewarding what we’ve been given—our talents, our opportunities, our influence—for the sake of His kingdom. One day, we will give an account for how we used the time we were entrusted with.
LIVING WITH A KAIROS MINDSET
So what does it look like to live with a kairos mindset?
It’s not about recklessly chasing experiences or living like you were dying—it’s about living as if you were purposefully placed in this moment in history, with your unique gifts and skill sets, for a reason.
Here are a few questions to orient your heart towards a kairos spirit:
If I knew I had one year left to live, what would I prioritize?
What is something I know God has called me to do, but I continue putting off?
Who in my life needs to hear about Jesus?
Are my daily actions building my own kingdom or furthering God’s?
How can I make the most of today—not in productivity, but in purpose?
A kairos mindset means waking up each morning and asking, What is God calling me to do with the time I’ve been given?
It means living in such a way that, when we stand before Him, we can say with confidence, my days were well spent.
We don’t get to choose the number of our days. But we do get to choose the potency in which we live.
So…
Pray for awareness – Ask God daily to make you aware of the kairos moments around you. Be sensitive to His leading. He’s been working in advance for you to step into these moments.
Act in obedience – When you sense God leading you, don’t delay. Obedience often precedes understanding.
Invest in eternity – Prioritize the things that will matter forever—God’s glory, people’s souls, and walking in love.
A FINAL CHARHGE
We have a brief window of time on this earth, a season in which we have the opportunity to do things that will not be possible in eternity.
The days seem ordinary, but each day holds divine appointments—moments where we can love deeply, serve sacrificially, and walk in obedience to God’s will.
Eternity will be filled with perfect joy, unshakable faith, and the glory of God fully revealed.
But today, we have the privilege of trusting Him in the unseen, worshiping Him in the struggle, and bringing others into His kingdom while there is still time.
Don't waste the fleeting gift of life.
You get one lap around this track. That’s it.
Live wisely.
Number your days.
Stop waiting for the “right time” to do what matters.
These are the moments that will echo into eternity.
And on the day you see Him face to face, may you hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
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