Chronos and Kairos: Understanding the True Expression of Time

As my brother and I sat in the parlor watching sports news, I couldn’t help but notice the timeline fixed at the bottom left of the screen.

“1940–2022”, it read.

My heart jittered in oblivion as I realized the truth: Pele, the football legend, was dead.

This incident got me thinking about the concept of time. In the modern world, we tend to focus on expressing time through measurements, such as seconds, minutes, and hours. But what is the true expression of time?

Chronos and Kairos are two Greek words that offer a deeper understanding of time. Chronos refers to the measurement of time, while Kairos refers to the timing of events and activities. In other words, Chronos gives a quantity to the expression of time, while Kairos gives a quality.

One of the key differences between chronos and kairos is that Chronos is often seen as a linear concept, while Kairos is a cyclical one. The Hindus and the Christians have a cyclical perspective of time, where the Qur’an links time to God. Jesus Christ mentions that he would come soon. But the idea of soon is not fully understood till today.

The passage of time is not just about measuring, it’s also about fulfilling a purpose. A seed will not bear fruit if it’s not planted, watered and nurtured for. A skill will not hit global competitiveness if it does not intentionally mature to the desired result.

In conclusion, time is event-driven. The events happening now will shape the future. And, it’s important to remember that the true expression of time is activity, not just one event, but billions of events occurring instantaneously. Let’s be mindful of the events we choose to participate in and the activities that we engage in, as they will ultimately shape the quality of our existence.