HAS TIME BECOME YOUR MASTER?

Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. KJV

Jesus looked out over the city of Jerusalem with great sorrow in his heart and wept. The city was in trouble and its citizens didn’t even recognize it. Worse, it was blind to the privileged promise of God’s visitation, unaware that heavenly timing had been present in the midst of them. Much could be said about the meaning of this “time of visitation” as it applies to numerous seasons of God’s movement throughout history. And, if there was more space available here, I would go into greater detail about it. However, for the sake of getting this message across let me begin.

Sprios Zhodiates, a respected Greek scholar, explains in the Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible that the word “time”, as translated from the Greek word “KAIROS” can be more aptly defined as a “time that is not necessarily convenient and is in manifestation because of the necessity of the task at hand, whether the time affords a good, convenient opportunity or not.” He goes on to define the word visitation from it’s Greek word, as the act of considering, examining and visiting for the purpose of determining what needs to occur.

Considering this, sadly, Jerusalem did not recognize that God was looking in on them, most probably because it didn’t fit their time schedule and convenience. My question is: Is the Church not also in the same predicament?

I am appalled at an insensitive blindness consuming the believer today. What’s more I regret to say that I believe that we have become so caught up by our individual lives, pleasures, work schedules and worldly activities that there is no space left for God, His Word, genuine fellowship and prayer. An increasing apathy is lulling believers to sleep suggesting to them that they are too busy for God. This shouldn’t surprise us when we consider that Jesus predicted and Paul forewarned of a sleeping people of God. Furthermore, we have come to the point that we believe God has to fit into our time schedules and do things according to what’s convenient for us, accompanied by whether it makes us feel good and doesn’t cost us anything. Honestly this has been going on for years. But why? Have our priorities become so skewed that we don’t even see what is happening?

I am one of the co-editors for the Revival Study Bible, and as that, I am becoming increasingly stirred about the absence of what I believe biblically is described as revival. Throughout history, as God moved throughout His people, the Spirit of God was allowed to move and work to bring about a condition known as “revival” in the Church. But for many, revival, is simply another event that they would have to painfully schedule into their already packed daily calendar. Regrettably, this understanding is the greatest foe to God’s reviving power and could very well be what keeps us back from seeing a genuine move of God. I have always been opposed to seeking revival for the sake of revival and meetings. In fact, praying for revival, as we have come to understand it, will not produce fruit lasting or significant. I have come to the conclusion instead, that we need to be praying for a sovereign visitation of the presence of God that rattles our calendar- time driven lives in such a way that we have no other option but to fall to our knees and seek His face whether it be at home, on the tractor, in the car, at the grocery store or the office. He doesn’t do things on our time schedules and we need to realize that.

Busy-ness has become the master of many. Like the people invited to the wedding mentioned in Matthew 22, our works and activities have seduced us. I believe this has occurred because there is hardly any fear of God left in the Church and we don’t value or respect who He is or what it means when He calls us to intimate relationship with us. The truth is: We have been duped! Time has become the master of many and the quencher of wanting to care about anyone except our own lives and what we hold dear. Furthermore, the conscience is near fully dulled to the reason we live.

Matt 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto the again by parables, and said,2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. KJV

There are serious issues at hand when writing about this. Churches once-filled struggle to get anyone to occupy their chairs and pews unless the leaders can dance, sing and preach so entertainingly, that no one feels challenged or wants to stay away. The altars, once filled by penitent souls seeking to know God are replaced with counselors, pop psychology and pretty flowers. Counseling and flowers are not wrong, but it is rare to see anyone at the altar because it’s too embarrassing and takes too much time. Ah, the problems are real.

My reason for writing this at time is because I want to tell you that if you’re expecting revival and a move of God to occur on your timetable, you need to think again. If there is a move of God coming, it won’t happen in the same way it has in the past, and according to your planning. Furthermore, it will cost you dearly if you want the breakthrough, revelation and heartfelt change desperately needed. His presence is not coerced or forced. The prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, danced wildly and frenzied to pull down heavenly fire from their gods. While in comparison, Elijah, poured water on the sacrifice, rebuilt the altar of prayer and asked for God to prove Himself, and fire fell. Its not the gymnastics you do that brings about a visitation of God. His eyes roam to and fro throughout the earth to see a heart that sincerely seeks Him inviting His presence.

Do you want Him sincerely or do you want an event? The master of Time will always hold you back from recognizing His appointment. Take your calendars, worldly activities and lack of caring to the altar of repentance and give God room and time to work. If you are sincere and intent on taking whatever steps you need to take, He will meet you face to face. Otherwise, like the busy people invited to the wedding, and who refused, you may miss out because Time demands your attention more than loving God.