Permeate Your World For Christ

Not everyone is called of God to make waves. Sometimes we don’t even have to make a splash. All that’s necessary may be a few tiny ripples.

The cover artwork of this issue of Kindred Spirit illustrates this concept. As droplets of dye permeate a vase of water and the flowers absorb them, so the influence of Christ-followers can permeate a lost world and effect lasting change in each believer’s specific time and context.

Within that sphere He has called us to “redeem the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16, NASB). The “time” Paul had in mind when he penned these words to the Ephesians was not necessarily chronological. If so, he might have used the more common word chronos. Instead he used kairos, which connotes a specially ordained time—the “right time” (Rom. 5:6). We need to make the most of the opportunities God has ordained in our lives. They’re all around us, and they’re uniquely ours.

Two things we know about time: it’s short and the days are evil. The good news is that each of us through the Spirit’s enabling can use the little time we have to spread the light in dark places. We can color our world, so to speak. Yet to pull it off we may have to get our feet uncomfortably wet as we step out in the time and place, and in faith.

In this issue of our award-winning magazine, we want to acquaint—or reacquaint—you with individuals such as Queen Esther who were born “for such a time as this.” Talk about a kairos opportunity! You’ll meet a couple of DTS students who took to the streets years ago to understand what it’s like to live homeless, and they’ve allowed the knowledge they gained to influence their ministries today. And you’ll get acquainted with an actress who keeps the spotlight where it belongs.

You’ll also read about one of our graduates, Col. Don Thompson, MD, who draws on the communications training he received at Dallas Seminary as he advises top members of the U.S. government on bioterrorism preparedness. Yet another of our graduates has penned a novella that speaks of the Savior in a way that postmodern thinkers can understand. Each of these individuals has exerted influence that permeates the waters in a different place, yet each has used the unique gifts given by God to glorify Him within his or her unique sphere.

Each of us is called to do the same—to take the plunge for Christ, exerting our influence for His glory in a unique time and place. Whether we make ripples or waves is in God’s sovereign control. We can leave the splash to Him.

About the Contributors

Mark L. Bailey

Dr. Bailey assumed the role of DTS Chancellor after serving for 19 years as the Seminary’s fifth President, and continues his role as Sr. Professor in the Bible Exposition department. In addition to his years at Dallas Theological Seminary, he has pastored various churches in Arizona and Texas. He was a seminar instructor for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries for twenty years and is in demand for Bible conferences and other preaching engagements all over the country and world. His overseas ministries have included Venezuela, Argentina, Hungary, and China. He is also a regular tour leader in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Rome. His board service includes Bible Study Fellowship, Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, and Word of Life.