Finding Kairos by Connie Inglis

When I first read the prompt for this month I felt like I had little to say other than, "Yes, without question, I feel God's pleasure when I write." End of blog post.

But the longer I pondered it, the more ideas the Spirit put in my head to the point that so many thoughts were spilling over that I wasn't sure how to connect them all. Isn't that so typical of the way God works? To first inspire us in some way, and then to ask us to WORK it out? To use the gifts and abilities He's given us to bring His inspiration to fruition? For me these are two sides of the same coin and do relate to the topic at hand. I believe we can feel His pleasure no matter if the coin is heads--His inspiration in our mind--or tails--getting our tails in gear and doing the work. (A little side note. The nickel grabbed my attention because of the beaver and the English idiom: busy as a beaver. I know, I'm quirky that way.)

The first idea that the Spirit gave me was this: Actually feeling His pleasure depends on me, on my emotional state. God's pleasure, on the other hand, does not depend on me, on us, because His pleasure in us NEVER changes. His delight in us, His love for us, is constant and unconditional. Zephaniah 3:17 says it so well (This is a picture of my granddaughter. She too delights in running):

The longer I think about this, the more overwhelmed I become at how out-of-this-world ineffable that truth really is. Which also means I can feel His pleasure in enjoyable times, like when I am writing, but also in painful times, in times of struggle. HIS pleasure is always waiting for me, wanting to be felt.

Then the Spirit reminded me of the beautiful word picture of this in Luke 15: the parable of the lost son. The father's love for, his delight in his lost son does not waver. Each day he goes out and watches and waits and when his son returns home, the father shows delight in his son, throws his arms around him and then throws him a party. The son feels his father's pleasure. How like our Father is this picture? We, like the son, and like Eric Liddell, can run to Him and for Him and feel His pleasure. It waits for us. (image is of Rembrandt's work, "The Return of the Prodigal Son.")

So, if God delights in me always, if He finds pleasure in me as His child, then I believe He truly desires that I seek and find that place where I am "feeling His pleasure" anytime--all the time. This is where the Spirit reminded me of what it means to be in kairos time in contrast to chronos time.

I was introduced to kairos vs chronos time a few years ago when I read Mark Buchanan's book, The Rest of God: Restoring your Soul by Restoring Sabbath. We are familiar with chronos i.e. chronological or sequential time that is measurable. Buchanan states that, "Chronos is the presiding deity of the driven." Kairos, on the other hand, has no English equivalent. Wikipedia defines it as, "a time lapse, a moment of indeterminate time in which everything happens." Buchanan calls it, "the scent of eternity in our hearts," and Madeleine L'Engle in her book Walking on Water calls it, "Real time. God's time. That time which breaks through chronos with a shock of joy..." And then she says, "the artist at work is in kairos." I think Eric Liddell would have said that when he ran he was in kairos time. It is often when I am creating, whether with words or paints, that I sense God's delight, a taste of eternity--kairos time.

I hope this blog makes sense to you--that you get the connections I was trying to make. And that you are reminded once again of how much God loves you and delights in you and that His desire is for us to feel His pleasure often, whether we are running or writing or cleaning up kid messes or caring for a parent with dementia. And when we feel His pleasure we are given a little taste of eternity, we are in kairos time. 

A Delighted Gasp – Ramona Heikel

I can think of two occasions when my mind was flooded with unusual inspiration, with exceptional story ideas.  Words flowed; bright, engaging words.  I wrote as much as I could as fast as I could, and those first drafts were some of the best work I’ve ever done.  One piece was accepted by the first publisher I sent it to and the second one—coincidentally—I am submitting to a publisher today (fingers crossed!).

Not long ago I found the DVD of Chariots of Fire at a thrift store and watched this great movie again.  Like Eric Liddell, I too feel God’s pleasure when I run (although I don’t run much anymore!).  The way I feel when I run fast and strong is the same way I feel when I write with unexpected inspiration, ease and excellence.  It is one reason I am sure that God is the one behind my love of writing and whatever talent I have.

It’s not just the feeling when an extraordinary idea comes to me, it’s the joy—and even laughter and tears—that come with it.  It’s the smile on my face or in my heart that remains through the whole piece.  It’s the feeling of unchallenged confidence that this work is a precious gift I am giving to the world. 

The word “inspire” in medicine means “to draw in breath”.  Perhaps I’m hearing the delighted (or amused?) gasp of a Father as he reacts to his child's writing!

I don’t think a person can try to have these moments of feeling God’s pleasure.  I'm pretty sure they are gifts, not something earned by putting in the hours and meeting the word quotas.  What makes them so moving is that they are a surprise—they come out of no where—and all we can do is pick up pen and paper to record the words we’ve been given.

Who knows?  Maybe they come as reminders that all of our best writing actually comes from God’s spirit; and we tap into that spirit by choosing more often to set aside our human inventions, techniques and advice, in favor of spending some quiet moments drawing close to God.

Posted by Ramona

www.happilywriting.com

Photo Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AEric_Liddell.jpg

There is fascinating information on Wikipedia and other websites about Eric Liddell, describing his life of Christian service, and his last days which were spent humbly doing whatever good he could, in an internment camp in China.

“When I Write, I Feel His Pleasure” by Sandi Somers

“When I run, I feel his pleasure.” These words were spoken by Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner and missionary to China, whose life was portrayed in the movie, Chariots of Fire.

Prompt: Tell us about those moments, those times when you feel God’s pleasure as you write. What advice would you give to someone who is discouraged and needs to feel God’s pleasure?

Writing as Intentional Worship

The Jog: I have been a jogger and know the same kind of endorphin lift, the same Divine pleasure that Eric Liddell felt as he ran. Words come to me: Energized. Engaged. Thankful. Inspired. Fulfilled.  

Sometimes my writing gives me that endorphin lift. A number of months ago I came across a list of activities where I knew God’s pleasure.

·        Reading something I’ve written months ago and discovering how good it is. Could I have written such good words?

·        Writing the first draft that comes easily

·        Finding a missing link in my research or application

·        Finishing an article well

·        Seeing my writing in print

·         Connecting with the writing community and with readers

The Steep Uphill Climb: I would like to think that writing is one great endorphin lift. It isn’t.

Sometimes my writing is like my first steep mountain hike years ago; I looked up at all the height I had yet to climb and said I couldn’t go on. My friend Carol stayed behind with me, encouraging me on. “You can do it,” she said, “Just take your time and rest when you need to.” My words  this time are: Slogging. Rewriting. Discouraging. Exhausting.

In these times I know God’s encouragement more than His pleasure. He speaks to me quietly: “I will help you write that piece,” or “Rest today.”  Or He tells me about my discouragement, “Don’t let Satan get a foothold.” But most often He gives me Scripture, such as this recent one: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (1 Chron 28:20 NLT). 

The Steady Walk: As I write this blog entry, I’m aware that so far I’ve focused on God during the highs and lows of writing. More often, however, my writing is like my morning walks—in the sunny fragrant early morning (as it was this morning), or in midwinter when I have to bundle up and watch for icy patches. The words this time are: Steady. Regular.  In most kinds of weather. 

But there are two more words: Intentional. Worship.  During my walks, I intentionally praise God and tell Him the breathings of my heart, pray for others and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Walking has become an intentional worship.

As I meditated on this month’s theme, I know God wants my praise. And so, whether I feel God’s pleasure in the moments of exhilaration, know His encouragement in the difficult times, or just simply meet God at my computer each morning , I pray that my writing will be worship—intentional worship.