During my 35 years of pastoral ministry, especially following some natural disaster or crisis, I was often asked, “Do you think these are the end times?” Always the cautious one, I’ve been quick to note previous eras where others wondered the same thing. The momentous clashes of the 20th century, for example. Certainly people must have wondered if Hitler was the Anti-Christ. And after all, Jesus himself said only the Father knows the day and the hour.
My cautious response has been conditioned by the 1970’s craze of speculation spawned by Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth. And in the 90’s, when Left Behind was all the rage, I cautioned people against looking for the Anti-Christ in every news headline.
But with the rapid changes of the last four years, the current crisis in Israel, the proliferation of Woke/Gender ideology, all propelled around the globe at 5G speed, a case can certainly be made that these are indeed the final days.
Last month a counselee contacted me regarding exposure to AI-generated pornography. It had sucked him in and held him captive all night long. The next day he was shaking, convinced he had imbibed in something extremely demonic.
Carpe diem, as is commonly known, is Latin for “seize the day.” The Greek word kairos means a moment in time of special significance. Paul uses this word in Ephesians 5:15, 16:
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. (NRSV)
The NIV translates that 16th verse as “making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.”
Whether these are the end times or not, they are certainly evil. And those who read this blog regarding the flood of sexual brokenness need to make the most of every opportunity for ministry.
What hinders us? A friend said recently that he’s written the words distraction and sedation in a place where he can see them daily. Those are certainly two of the most common things which keep us from seizing the kairos.
Distractions
Evagrius Ponticus, monastic theologian of the fourth century, identified distractions as a result of the deadly sin of sloth. More than just laziness, sloth can encompass being busy with the wrong things, even if they are good tasks. The example he used was the monk who, in his prayer cell, thinks of a sick person who could use a visit and leaves the cell. Visiting the sick is both biblical and good. But it became a distraction from what was his duty—prayer.
Evagrius and others identified an evil spirit of acedia as the main instigator of distractions. As the Ancient Church would pray through Psalm 91, they would identify this spirit with the latter part of verse 6: “the destruction that wastes at noonday” (NRSV). Hence, the spirit of acedia became known as the noonday devil.
In our present day, this spirit constantly harasses me. Most of us have developed an addiction to our phones. This spirit knows my vulnerability and constantly suggests, “Maybe you should check your email, or the news headlines, or the football scores, or . . .”
The great transgression in all of this is that we are distracted from accomplishing God’s mission for this kairos, this moment in time.
Sedation
This needs little explanation. No Latin or Greek is necessary nor reference to the Ancient Church. We all know the ways we kill our pain.
Rest, recreation, and refreshment are needed. No question. But if these days are evil—and they are—and if the Sexual Tsunami has left a generation floundering in its wake, should we not take care in how we use our time? How much news do you need to watch? And do we really need to binge watch YouTube videos? Even with good podcasts and stimulating videos, how much information do we really actually need?
Another word for meditate is “muse.” To muse is to ponder, to deliberately mull over something significant. Note that the opposite of muse is “amuse!” So much of our entertainment keeps us from following Paul’s injunction to live our lives wisely, making the most of this kairos because these days fraught with evil.
What are your spiritual gifts? Passions? Sense of calling? God-given purpose in life?
Read good books about ministry to the sexually broken. Get training in how to do inner healing ministry. Create small groups within your sphere of influence which can address the needs of the hour.
Next year when I launch the Tsunami Surfing Academy, sign up for course work in inner healing ministry to the sexually broken, or take advantage of the other resources I will post.
Tsunami Surfers, carpe kairos! Control your distractions and sedatives! God has gifted you for such a time as this! Let us together seize this moment in time!
Yes, these certainly are times when there is so much that draws us away from contemplation and living in the present moment. I really have to set aside a time without distractions because if I don't, I find that I am unsettled inside. Many people don't have that practice of setting aside time for quiet solitude. I recommend it to people who tell me they are very unsettled.
We are not the only ones to be distracted or sedated. Here that heart of this prayer from one of the church's saints from the fourth century: O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of sloth, idle curiosity, love of power, and useless chatter. Rather accord to me, Your servant, a spirit if chastity (reserve), humility, patience and love. Yes, Lord and King, grant that I may see my own faults and not condemn my brother, for blessed are You forever and ever. Amen. Prayer of St. Ephrem, the Syrian