Seize the Day

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

In Greek mythology, Kairos was the personification of opportunity, luck, and favorable moments. Lysippos, a famous Greek sculptor, created an image of this god. It had wings on its feet to swiftly move through time. But the most interesting feature was a lock of hair - only on the front of its head and not on the back of it. The bronze sculpture stood at his home, and the following epigram was carved on the statue by Poseidippos:

"Who and whence was the sculptor? From Sikyon.

And his name? Lysippos.

And who are you? Time who subdues all things.

Why do you stand on tip-toe? I am ever running.

And why you have a pair of wings on your feet? I fly with the wind.

And why do you hold a razor in your right hand? As a sign to men that I am sharper than any sharp edge.

And why does your hair hang over your face? For him who meets me to take me by the forelock.

And why, in Heaven's name, is the back of your head bald? Because none whom I have once raced by on my winged feet will now, though he wishes it sore, take hold of me from behind.

Why did the artist fashion you? For your sake, stranger, and he set me up in the porch as a lesson."

Fiction? Of course. But there is a lesson to be learned: Make the most of every opportunity. In the Bible, the Apostle Paul made the same point to the Christ followers in Ephesus. “Make the most of your time,” he said [5.16].

The Greek word for time in this passage does not refer to clocks and calendars, but rather, to periods of time, eras, or epochs. Another way to say, “Make the most of your time,” is to “Make the most of your opportunities.”

The Psalmist may have had this idea in mind when he prayed, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” [Psalm 90.12]. That’s the right perspective! A wise person realizes the brevity of life and will seize opportunities every day in order to glorify God. 

We are coming up on a New Year. Let’s be wise Christ followers and flee opportunities for evil, but lay hold of the opportunities for good!

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5.15-16