To Inspire:

In this issue of Wealth Notes, Partner and Co-founder Matt Palmer shares excerpts from the book, “Life With A Capital L: Embracing Your God-Given Humanity,” by Matt Heard.

In a chapter entitled, Time: Life is Daily, Heard urges the reader to infuse each day with meaning and purpose. Here is an excerpt worth reflecting on.

To make the most of time involves a conscious effort on my part. Though I’m tempted to spend my days taking the path of least resistance, like a meandering drop of water, my real urging is to become intentional – to redeem and reclaim each day back from the lifeless gravitational pull that could characterize my existence.

In the Greek language, there are two primary words that are often both translated as time – Chronos and Kairos. Chronos, from which we get the word chronology, is the simple unavoidable passing of time and events – it is merely one minute added to another and another.

Kairos does not have a precise English equivalent but refers to time as a special occasion or unique opportunity. While Chronos is quantitative, Kairos is qualitative. It’s something that’s momentous. It could be beautiful or tragic but it connects us with the significance of being human.

When Saint Paul exhorts us to “make the most of our time“ the word he’s using is Kairos. Kairos is time infused with potential and possibility as we steward both the opportunities and difficulties life presents.

Heard goes on:

The author C.S. Lewis penned a brilliant imaginary dialogue in “The Screwtape Letters” in which Screwtape, a senior devil, advises a younger devil named Wormwood. The younger has been assigned the task of undermining the spiritual journey of a particular person. Here’s Screwtape‘s observations about how to numb this person‘s heart:

“You have time itself for your ally. The long, dull monotonous years of middle aged prosperity are excellent campaigning weather. You see it is so hard for these creatures to persevere. The routine of daily life, the decay of youthful love and youthful hope, the quiet despair of ever over overcoming the chronic temptations of life, and the drabness which we create in their lives – all of this provides admirable opportunities for wearing out a soul by attrition.”

We can be grateful to Lewis and to Heard for reminding us that when we are careless with our days, we are careless with our lives. Saint Paul’s admonition helps us to recognize the rising tide of each life-giving moment. By lifting our gaze to the incredible gift of life, may we intentionally embrace the Kairos that presents itself every day.

Greatness, it is yours and mine for the living!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner and Co-founder