Opportunity in Crisis: The Hidden Blessing

When crisis strikes, fear seems to be the only option. Bunker down, hole up and weather the storm. We run to either the fight or flight response, but is there a 3^rd option? Is crisis something bad to either fight or hide from? Can good ever come from something so bad and out of our control?

Ephesians 5:15-17 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (emphasis added)

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Any time we see the word “therefore” we need to ask what it is there for because the following verses are based on the previous ones. This entire chapter talks about being imitators of God rather than being like the world; putting off immorality, greed, coarse jokes, etc, but instead live our lives as fragrant aromas and offerings to God. We used to be part of the world, but no longer. We have been brought into the light so we need to walk in the light and no longer participate in the things of darkness. The light exposes the truth, and a time is coming when all will be exposed. Because of this, we need to be careful how we walk. We do not want to be exposed as imposters or hypocrites. We need to take advantage of the opportunities we have because the days are evil, the end is near. We do not have long; our window of influence is limited.

This of course applies to our lives in general, but so much more in times of crisis. So what opportunities do we have in this crisis?

It may seem counterintuitive to think about evangelizing and witnessing in a time of quarantine. We are supposed to stay away from other people, so doesn’t that mean that we have limited or no opportunities? No, it does not.

1. We have opportunities right at home. Unless we live alone, we have influence over the people we live with. We can take advantage of the extra time together to reconnect with them, share with them, serve and bless them regardless of our relationship with them currently. These are things we are all called to do as Christians regardless of who is around us.

1 Peter 4:8-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

2. Whether we live alone or with others, we can use this time to grow closer to God and to enrich our own lives. We can use this added time at home to expand our prayer life, especially as the need to pray for others has never been greater! We can read books on discipleship, spend more time in Bible study, even start a new hobby. There are many opportunities to grow ourselves in this time.

1 Peter 2:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

Ephesians 4:14-16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

3. The most important opportunity we have is to witness to others. That can be in person, over the phone, or online. We have hope because Jesus conquered death. We know the end of the story because God always wins. Regardless of how this crisis ends, we are victorious because God has the victory. We don’t need to fear no matter what happens, and we can share this hope with others. This is a time when life seems to be growing darker by the minute. Our light needs to shine, and will shine out the brighter because of the darkness. We need to let our lights shine for others to see, to lead them to the hope that we have.

Matthew 5:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

4. The ultimate opportunity here is to glorify God. That is our created purpose above all else and we can live and work toward that end, or choose to cower under fear or selfishness. God will be glorified, that is sure, but will we be part of that, causing others to glorify Him because of us? We can choose, by how we live and think, whether God will be glorified in us or not. He will receive the glory, but will it be because of you?

You have unlimited opportunities in this crisis to shine, to bless, to grow, how will you use them?