The lame man was carried by his friends each day to beg outside the Beautiful gate. It was his routine but one day was different - the day Peter and John saw his broken limbs and healed him in the name of Jesus. He didn’t imagine anything different would happen that day, as he sat down on his mat, but it was going to be the day that God would make beautiful.
The word “beautiful” in Acts 3.2 here doesn't mean beautiful in appearance, but beautiful in timing and effect. The beggar received in that “kairos” moment, much more than he asked for or expected. The Apostle Paul expected every believer to understand the difference between “kairos” and “chronos”. “But concerning the times (chronos) and the seasons (kairos), brethren, you have no need that I should write to you” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:1) “Chronos” is earth time - regular, linear and predictable. “Kairos” is God's moment; the due time, the right time when eternity, intersects with “chronos”. It is sometimes unexpected, it's often miraculous and sometimes it even seems to come too late. Think of Lazarus.
Joseph's “chronos” was difficult and challenging, including a pit, a promiscuous princess and a prison. It looked bad but God was about to make it beautiful. Gods “kairos” made him a prince with power. He always believed it and came to see that “My times are in your hand” (Psalms 31.15)
Zachariah and Elizabeths “chronos”, included 60 years of childless service to God. It looked too late and too difficult, but God was about to make it into something beautiful. Gods “kairos” brought the miracle son John, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. It was more than they could have asked for or expected. “Chronos” can produce the results of human effort or demonic strategy, but “kairos” has an outcome that is beautiful, miraculous, abundant and necessary for destiny!
Friend, in the middle of a Covid crisis, when we are sitting on a mat just waiting for another day to pass or thinking that it might be too late to birth our best days of business or ministry, let’s remember that it is just Chronos. Chronos has never stopped God doing His will. In fact, Chronos is just a set up for a step up. “He has made everything beautiful in His time” (Ecc 3:11). Our Sovereign King is right now, in the midst of creating Kairos moments for His Church. He is always in control and always working. And while demons or democrats may want us broken or barren, He is making and will make, all things beautiful in His time. The lame will walk, the withered arms will be raised and the forerunner Elijah company, is about to be birthed.