It has become clear that humanity is searching for something more. What if these struggles point to something fundamental about human nature? A God-shaped emptiness that no amount of digital connection or temporary escape can fill.

As a believer, you are called to discern times; to see the spiritual void and hunger around you, and to step into the divine opportunities God places before you. Discerning the spiritual climate means recognizing these signs as opportunities to share the gospel, offering hope to a generation desperate for true fulfilment.

The opportunities are right before you. How then should you respond?

1 Chronicles 12:32
New King James Version

32 Of all the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;

This is an example of how you should live. The sons of Issachar understood the times and knew what Israel should do. This wasn’t just about being socially aware—it was about spiritual discernment, about recognizing what was really happening beneath the surface and sensitivity to God’s move in their generation.

Dear believer, understanding the times begins with spiritual sensitivity and Jesus demonstrated this in:

Luke 19:41-42
New King James Version

41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,

42 saying, If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

His tears were not just for the city’s impending destruction but for its inability to recognize the moment of divine visitation. Jesus saw beyond the surface, perceiving the spiritual blindness that kept Jerusalem from embracing God’s plan. As believers today, we are called to cultivate this same discernment.

You must see the gap between God’s plan and where your generation is and like Jesus, your heart must burn with passion.

The next step is learning how to engage effectively with the culture around us. The apostle Paul provides a powerful example in:

Acts 17:23
New King James Version

23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:

Standing amid the leadership council, he noticed an altar inscribed “To the Unknown God.” Instead of simply condemning their practices, Paul used this as a starting point to explain that the God they did not know was, in fact, the one true God—the Creator of heaven and earth who does not dwell in temples made by human hands and he brought the message of the gospel to them.

Paul didn’t affirm their idolatry; instead, he exposed their ignorance and pointed them to the truth of Christ but he did it by using what they knew to communicate with them.

In our generation, we are called to do the same. This means understanding the cultural narratives —whether they be substance abuse, social media addiction or the pursuit of power and boldly pointing people to the one true God.

This doesn’t mean compromising the gospel.

Never water down the message instead, improve how you deliver it. Think of it as translation, not alteration. The core truths about Christ must remain unchanged, but how you communicate them matters deeply.

Even Jesus used parables about seeds, soil, and harvests to help His listeners understand what He was teaching through relatable and everyday experiences.

There are many ways to be creative in your approach. You can use relevant examples, thoughtful questions, or modern illustrations. But always ensure the gospel’s essentials remain intact.

The goal isn’t to make people comfortable with half-truths. The goal is to make the full truth accessible to a generation desperately searching for meaning.

As we grow in discernment and learn cultural engagement, we begin to recognize the unique opportunities God places before us. Every problem you identify in this generation is an avenue for the gospel to be preached.

You must ask: What is God doing in this moment and how can I align myself with His purposes? When your heart is right like this, divine opportunities will come.

In Acts 8, Philip was directed by the Spirit to go to a desert road, where he encountered the Ethiopian eunuch. This divine appointment led to the eunuch’s salvation and the spread of the gospel to Africa (Acts 8:26-39).

Philip’s story reminds us that God is constantly at work, orchestrating moments for His kingdom to advance—but you must be sensitive to discern, understand the right approach, and be willing to listen and obey.

In our lives, these opportunities might look like a conversation with a co-worker, a chance to speak to someone, a leading to start a social media move or even a nudge to organize a seemingly casual event that opens doors for the gospel.

Understanding the times requires us to live with a sense of urgency. The world is changing rapidly, and the needs around us are great. Whether it’s through sharing the gospel, serving others, or using the media, we are called to be active participants in God’s redemptive work.

The sons of Issachar understood their times and took action. Paul engaged with the culture of his day, and Philip obeyed the Spirit’s leading. These examples challenge us to live with the same intentionality and urgency.

What is God saying to you about your role in this generation? How can you use your gifts, resources, and influence to advance His kingdom?

The times and seasons are in God’s hands, and He has placed us here for such a time as this. Let us not miss our moment. Let us be like the sons of Issachar—men and women who understand the times and know what to do.

Prayer Point:
Father, we pray for the discernment to understand our times. We grow in sensitivity to see what God is doing, and we have wisdom on how to act.