Transition – Crisis Produces Opportunity

What is a crisis? The definition may surprise you….

CRISIS, n. plu. [Gr. L., to separate, to determine, to decide. See Crime.]

1. In medical science, the change of a disease which indicates its event; that change which indicates recovery or death. It is sometimes used to designate the excretion of something noxious from the body, or of the noxious fluids in a fever.
2. The decisive state of things, or the point of time when an affair is arrive to its highth, and must soon terminate or suffer a material change.

In other words, SHIFT! Looking at the second definition, there is a radical change that takes place in a relatively short period of time. There are many examples of people in the Bible that faced a crisis, which created a radical shift in the circumstances around them and around nations.

For example, Joseph encountered radical change in his life that seemed to place him further and further down in society. Think for a moment – When you are thrown into the bottom of a dry well and you cannot get out you have a crisis? In Genesis 39, we pick up on the life of Joseph as he was discarded by his brothers and sold by his cousins to the Egyptians as a slave.

Genesis 39:1 NLT
(1) When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

Obviously this was not one of Joseph’s better days. Regardless, Joseph had a decision to make.

1.) Be Bitter.
Our liberal society of grayscale morals would actually condone and promote this behaviour. In fact, our society celebrates this sliding scale of behaviour because moral absolutes have been steadily educated out of people.

2.) Serve God
Joseph could choose to pick himself up and take sustained positive action in his present situation. Joseph was not prepared to sever his ties to God, because he had already experienced God. In essence, Joseph was living out what the apostle Paul wrote:

2 Thessalonians 2:15 NLT
(15) With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

Look around you. What Crises are around you screaming opportunity at you? Take a step back and examine where you, what you are doing and why you are doing it. You may be surprised to find that there are trees that forest.

Opportunity produces Ministry.