Perseverance in God’s Kairos Through Life’s Unpredictability
Ecclesiastes 9:11
Again, I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time (KAIROS) and chance happen to them all.
Kairos is right timing, opportune time, God's perfect timing.
It's about the unpredictability of life and the limits of human control. This verse challenges the assumption that outcomes are guaranteed by natural advantages, speed, strength, wisdom, intelligence, or knowledge.
Chance and life’s outcomes defy human expectations, only God can order perfection. Where are you relying on your own "swiftness" or "strength" to secure an outcome? Pause and pray for discernment to recognize God’s Kairos in your life. Ask for faith to trust Him when circumstances feel uncertain.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your perfect timing, even when life feels unpredictable. Help me release my grip on control and trust Your kairos moments. Give me peace in uncertainty and faith to follow Your lead. Amen.
Consider Joseph’s journey (Genesis 37-50), where setbacks and “chance” events (e.g., being sold into slavery) aligned with God’s Kairos for his purpose. Consider also Sarah and Abraham and their Kairos waiting on the Lord. Remember what they discovered about God's timing?
Romans 9:9
For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son."
While Ecclesiastes 9:11 highlights that outcomes are subject to God’s Kairos (perfect timing) and unforeseen circumstances (chance), Galatians 6:9 encourages steadfastness, and perseverance, assuring us that our faithful efforts will bear fruit "in due season"; another nod to God’s appointed time.
Galatians 6:9
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
When we face delays or setbacks, it’s tempting to grow weary or question our efforts. What we can learn from these challenges is Kairos moments, God’s divine opportunities, often come when we least expect them, turning our faithful sowing into abundant reaping.
Yes, life can feel like a race where the fastest, strongest, or wisest always win. Yet, Ecclesiastes 9:11 unveils a liberating truth. Outcomes rest in God’s hands, guided by His kairos. Reflect on Ruth’s steadfast loyalty, Rebecca’s courageous faith, David’s trust in God’s protection, and Noah’s obedience through years of ridicule. Each story sings of God’s grace, fulfilling His promises with flawless timing. Think about too many to count who've trusted in God's protection and how God has always followed through with perfect grace. What we should always hold onto is this timeless truth, every act of faith, every seed of kindness, is seen by God. His "due season" aligns with His Kairos, turning our faithful sowing into abundant reaping. When we despair, we can hold fast, knowing God’s divine opportunities will arrive when we least expect them.
So, what is this seed of faith?
Simple answer:
Acts 3:19
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
God invites us to repent and turn to His Son Jesus, trusting that His Kairos not only brings earthly harvests but eternal redemption. Our sins are blotted out by His work of redemption, and our perseverance in Him is woven into that timely redemptive story.
These heroes of faith didn’t just wait on the Lord, they acted, they trusted, and persevered in prayer, knowing God’s timing is always perfect. This is discipleship.
Matthew 16:24
"Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’"
Where is Jesus calling you to take up your cross today? For me, it’s sometimes letting go of pride to serve humbly or trusting God in a season of waiting.
I've learned this best while serving on a Kairos prison ministry mission. Our motto is (listen listen love love), and that imperative helps me to restrain my human tendency to control the conversations and expectations as we grow together in faith with the participants. As we work through the daily discussions over three and a half days, we are intentionally trying to take the focus off of us and redirect their attention to Christ. We are advocating Christ, not our own team, or our various ideological views. It's humility, it's being willing to be vulnerable and it's trusting in God's timing.
"Listen listen love love," reminds me to set aside my pride, to stop trying to control the conversations or outcomes, and to simply be present with others in Christ’s love.
Humility comes from wisdom:
Proverbs 4:7
"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight."
The Bible tells us to seek wisdom:
James 1:5
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach."
Listen listen love love teaches us to trust God and his perfect timing, and that love yields to others when being a good listener is the best timing. I'm not perfect in this training. I often struggle with it. But I have learned to recognize when the moment is right. This wisdom comes from learning to listen. It's a little like being a tracker. You've got to learn to read the signs, listen to the words and not simply listen for your opportunity to interject. We call it active listening.
I’ll never forget a participant who opened up about his pain after days of silence. It was very strange. The entire weekend he pushed his chair away from the family table. He hung out just within earshot, but didn't participate in the conversations. From time to time other teammates tried to engage him but he wasn't having it. Then Sunday morning rolled around and the open mic time came along. And imagine our surprise when he got up to give his testimony. Everyone at our family table was blown away.
Just let God handle it. That's what I learned. Don't be a preacher all the time, be a teacher if asked, and more often than not be a listener. But be wise, be that tracker. I sometimes want to jump in and speak. But I’m learning to listen like a tracker, reading the signs of God’s Kairos in a pause or a vulnerable word. Pray for the wisdom to see that need.
Abraham and Sarah tracked God’s promise of a son despite barrenness and old age, reading the sign of God’s covenant (Genesis 15:5) and waiting for Kairos. Joseph tracked God’s plan through dreams (Genesis 37:5-9) and hardships, discerning God’s purpose in slavery and prison. Ruth tracked God’s guidance through loyalty to Naomi, following subtle signs of provision (e.g., gleaning in Boaz’s field, Ruth 2). Her wisdom was in humble faithfulness, aligning with God’s Kairos for her lineage. Rebecca tracked God’s call with a bold faith, agreeing to marry Isaac based on divine signs (Genesis 24:58). Her wisdom was in courageous trust, stepping into Kairos. David tracked God’s protection, reading signs of His favor (e.g., defeating Goliath, 1 Samuel 17). His wisdom was in trusting God’s anointing, even in exile, awaiting Kairos kingship. Noah tracked God’s warning of the flood (Genesis 6:13), obeying despite mockery. His wisdom was in steadfast faith, building the ark for God’s Kairos salvation.
Listening intently, discerning God’s timing, and acting with wisdom. This is the God tracker mindset. They align with Proverbs 4:7’s call to seek insight and James 1:5’s promise of God’s generous wisdom to give it in his perfect timing.
Prayer: Jesus, You listened to your Father with love and carried Your cross for me. Thank You for Your Kairos, weaving my life into Your plan. Teach me to track Your signs with wisdom, listen with humility, and trust Your timing. Fill me with joy as I follow You. Amen.