Author Darlene J. Conard

From Chronos to Kairos

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8 KJV

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.”  Isaiah 40:28   KJV

“Insert a chapter in this book titled “The Test of Time.” That’s all the Lord gave me at that moment. “How does that relate to identity?”

“You will come to understand in time,” he replied. I knew an unforgettable lesson would eventually reveal itself, yet I was unaware of its relevance to one’s identity.

In 2024, I began a significant journey, with each step guided by the divine hand of the Lord. I am excited to share this experience with you, knowing His guidance will inspire and reassure you. This marked the start of something truly remarkable.

Something devastating occurred, challenging me to step far outside my comfort zone. It was an event that shook me to my core, and while I can’t share every detail, I believe it’s essential to convey the essence of what happened. In the turmoil, I spoke earnestly to the Lord, expressing my frustration and confusion, “Lord, You could have stopped this from happening. I obeyed and did what You required of me. Pausing momentarily to review the situation, I continued, “This is an attack from hell, a demonic influence at work!” In response, I felt His presence and clarity as He replied, “Yes, this is the enemy.”

“You could have stopped it, Lord.”

“Yes, I could have, but I allowed it.”

Listen to me; please don’t close yourself off. Remember what Pilate asked Jesus when He remained silent before him? He said, “Don’t you know I have the power to crucify you and the power to release you?” Jesus responded, “You could have no power at all against me, except it is given from above” (John 19:10-11).

The word Kairos is the Greek word for appointed time, and the word Chronos is Greek for now. Chronos is a season of preparation, a time God uses to mold and shape us. It’s a time for our restoration, getting rid of old things, and getting our thoughts aligned with God’s direction, so when Kairos (the appointed time) comes, we are equipped, powerful, and closer to God and His wisdom. If we do not cooperate with God during Chronos, we will not get to Kairos.

God precisely crafted the universe, each aspect unfolding within an accurately planned timeframe. For example, He fashioned humanity on the sixth day and rested on the seventh. When Mary brought up the wine shortage at the wedding celebration, Jesus indicated that His time had not yet come. This suggests that the timing was purposefully appointed, encompassing the who, when, where, and why. This divine timing imparts the value of patience. It instills trust in His plan, bringing a soothing sense of calm and hopeful assurance that even amidst uncertainty, His plan unfolds flawlessly during Chronos. Think of a flower unfolding.  

 God will not open the door to greatness until we are fully prepared. We experience periods of transformation.

 God’s timing may appear delayed, but He is always precise. We have become spoiled by inventions that instantly cater to our needs. Our fast-paced world demands much of our lives, and slowing means losing so much. I’ve asked myself, is it worth losing my sanity or losing out to God? Jesus reminded Martha that Mary chose Him over the hustle and bustle of life. She sat at His feet to be ministered to.

Here is another deep insight I received during a challenging period. My friend’s grandmother passed away in February 2018, and I was left with many questions and a sense of uncertainty about my purpose. While spending quiet time with God the day after the funeral, I heard Him say, “I AM THAT I AM.”

“Lord, I know that You are. I’ve read this many times.”

“No —you do not —understand, I AM THAT I AM.” His unwavering persistence pulled me away from my tasks, compelling me to sit silently and truly listen. In that quiet moment, a vivid vision of a majestic mountaintop appeared before me. The air was crisp, and the view was breathtaking. In that ethereal space, I heard Him speak softly, “Darlene, I knew you even before you took your first breath. I was there in your beginnings; I AM with you in every challenge of your life and will be waiting for you in the journey ahead. Rest assured; I AM already waiting for you in the future.” In Revelation 22:13 KJV, the Lord says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” 2 Peter 3:8 amplifies that one day with the Lord is a thousand years. As the years have unfolded, the passage of time has significantly shaped my character, forging within me a profound sense of patience that I once thought was beyond my grasp. Each experience, whether joyful or challenging, has served as a lesson, teaching me the value of perseverance and the importance of remaining calm in the face of adversity.

In this journey, I have found myself diving deeply into the workings of my faith. Through meditative moments, prayer, and exploration of spiritual texts, I appreciate the massiveness. I’ve grappled with questions and uncertainties, and in the process, I have uncovered layers of meaning that have enriched my understanding of God. This exploration has strengthened my faith and illuminated the beauty and depth of the spiritual life, fostering a connection that continues to grow and evolve.

During the chronos period, I often find myself experiencing long periods of intense spiritual warfare. This is when we declare Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” There’s much more going on than we realize in the spirit realm. The enemy will tempt us to question or go ahead of God.

During these challenging times, I feel a profound struggle within my spirit, facing various doubts, fears, and temptations. However, I understand that God allows these experiences to serve a greater purpose—my spiritual growth. Each trial pushes me to deepen my faith, refine my character, and rely more closely on God’s guidance and strength. Through these periods, I learned valuable lessons that strengthened my relationship with Him and helped me navigate future challenges—these challenges I have discovered come during Chronos, preparation time for Kairos.  

Job’s trial was not an indefinite struggle; it had a decisive endpoint. When the ordeal finally ended, the richness of God’s blessings multiplied significantly. Consider it this way: much like leaving money to accumulate in a savings account, which consistently earns interest over time, Job’s faithfulness during his hardships ultimately resulted in an abundance of divine rewards.

Feel free to forward it to anyone you wish.  My mission is to encourage everyone to follow our Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. ©Darlene J. Conard Vision Ministries 2024.   This may not be republished or used without the author’s written consent. The photograph is AI-generated. Darlene J. Conard is also affiliated with Glory Carrier Ministries.

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