Chronos and Kairos

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven … God has made everything beautiful in its time.

— Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11

One of the Greek words for “time” is chronos; it refers to clock time, calendar time, scheduled time. Chronos asks the question, “What time is it?”

Another Greek word for “time” is kairos, which is holy time, sacred time, purposeful time. Kairos asks the question, “What is it time for?”

There’s an enormous difference between those two questions.

It’s important to be in the right place at the right time, doing righteous things with a righteous attitude. During the past several years — especially during seasons of transition — I have frequently asked, “What is it time for, Lord?” He often surprises me with His response. While meditating on this yesterday, I realized that I thought this summer would be kairos time to experience the nuts and bolts of chaplaincy. I was surprised to recognize that it has been exactly that … just not at the YMCA as I had thought.

Let me explain by outlining some brief definitions that have really helped me discern what it’s time for in my ministry.

• Counseling drills down into an issue from one’s past to bring healing and change into the present.
• Life coaching provides a way to move forward from where one is presently, through listening and question-asking.
• Debriefing — the debriefer asks, “Where are you now?” and then works backward to help you evaluate how and why you got to this place in order to gain realistic perspective.
• Chaplaincy asks the question, “What is the immediate need that can help stabilize you for the rest of today and tomorrow?”

Each of these methods of coming alongside people involves teaching in varying degrees. These are the ways I spend the vast majority of ministry time. Chaplaincy has definitely been the focus this summer; I wasn’t wrong about that. But the venue changed! Unquestionably, I have been in the right place at the right time. Chaplaincy training has been with my son, Jon, meeting immediate needs that have helped to stabilize him in the present moment. I am beyond grateful to be available to assist him, to learn, and to draw on God’s grace. Many thanks to those of you who have prayed for his healing. He is progressing, slowly but surely! Please continue to pray for good sleep and freedom from pain. Thank you!

I have continued to drive to Carpenter, Wyoming every Sunday evening to teach Walk Thru the Bible. The beautiful drive is peaceful, the fellowship is sweet, and the teaching is fun!

And speaking of Walk Thru, You Are Invited to join me in an Old Testament seminar. What: Walk Thru the Old Testament Seminar · When: Saturday, September 27, 2025 · Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Venue: The Journey Church, 2000 Pike Rd, Longmont, CO 80501 · Cost: $10/person for materials, and an offering will be taken for GWO.

This will be one of the last times I’ll offer Walk Thru. We will order the major people, places, and events of the Old Testament chronologically, in a creatively engaging way that makes sense of the Bible! Make it a priority to register and join us OR contact me if you would like to host an Old or New Testament Walk Thru seminar. I have very few materials left, and when they’re gone … they’re gone. Let’s get a date on the calendar asap!

In July, The Lookout Church hosted a Grief and Loss Seminar for about 25 attendees. It was holy ground. So much sorrow and pain. I’m confident that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, attended to each one very personally. It was also a time for me to process the grief I have felt over the loss of three long-time friends this month. Be assured that, in the sadness and loss you have experienced, God sees you. He knows. And He is with you.

One July Sunday morning I had the distinct honor of teaching at Pinewood Church in Boulder. Wow, what a fantastic group of well-discipled Jesus followers who love to worship and love to learn! Definitely a church I recommend to anyone in the Boulder area who’s looking for a church home. And, this month I got to debrief my grandson, Owen, who recently returned from his first international trip to Japan! It was helpful to him and priceless to me.

OK, I know this is getting long, but please read on for a huge July highlight. About 30 years ago, one of my middle school students at Longmont Christian School was a boy named David Hutchings. David had some life-changing encounters with God during his years in my high school Bible classes. After graduation, he continued his education at Moody Bible Institute and we stayed in touch and grew in our friendship. He introduced me to Andrea, his future wife, and shortly after their wedding, they moved to Okinawa, Japan to serve with Cadence International (a ministry to U.S. military personnel). I visited them there four times. Four kids later, they continue to have a very special place in my heart. We have walked together through various stages of life and ministry and our friendships have deepened; I count it a precious privilege to be part of their lives. This month, I once again witnessed another graduation of sorts when David was honorably commissioned as the new president of Cadence! I’ve no adequate words to describe how proud I am of him and Andrea and what an honor it has been to come alongside him for three decades!

Thanks for reading to the end! I hope you’re encouraged and have enjoyed the photos.

Until August … Mary Jean 😊

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Ways to partner: Give online at getthewordout.cc/give · Venmo: @Mary Jean Powers / Get the Word Out · By check: Get the Word Out, 4210 Vulcan Creek Dr. Unit 208, Loveland, CO 80538.