The Purpose of Crisis
Christians are to be up and about spreading the word of the Kingdom everywhere. The early church as successful as they were was missing the one thing – they misunderstood the real mandate. Jesus has instructed them that they were to be witnesses for the kingdom to all nations on earth, but instead, they were building a community or a sect of worshippers, whose primary purpose was to live and do life together in the name of Christ.
The Holy Spirit inspired Stephen to preach a message that set off the religious leaders in Jerusalem, which ultimately led to his death. Stephen’s death set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
And Saul, who later became an apostle and missionary, went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house, dragging men and women to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they went, they preached the message about Jesus and His kingdom.
Time and time, God has used natural disasters, persecution, and unpleasant events to direct his people in the right course. There is always some wisdom in every problematic situation. Crisis reduces us to what we need. It refocuses our vision, and like a refiner’s fire, it purifies our faith like gold.
During the time of this writing, the entire world and the church are on lockdown, and public gathering for worship is almost impossible as a result of a pandemic due to the virus, COVID-19
The question we must ask ourselves is, “What is the Lord trying to teach us, and how is He directing us by permitting this terrific hardship?”
I encourage you to take different approach or view of the crisis or hardship you are going through. What is the Lord teaching you in this hardship? What wisdom are you missing? What purpose are you not living?
So true! The bible tells us, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
James 1:2-4 MSG. I love this rendering of that verse. Crises refine us and brings out the best. Mature Christians are produced and known at such times. We wax stronger and stronger despite the troubles in the world!
This is a very impactful write up, crisis help us to go through the testing with trials and tribulation; and come out better than we went in ; the one who endures swill be saved .
Crisis reduces us to what we need. It cleanses us of all impurities and unholy desires hanging as weights to our faith.