OPPORTUNITY

(Five minute read)

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” – Albert Einstein

I remind you that God's people find their true purpose in times like these.

 Months ago, before I knew what COVID-19 meant, I began reading through Luke’s gospel. Near the end, my attention peaked in chapter twenty-one. Initially, Jesus prophesied the fall of Jerusalem that occurred in 70 AD. Further out, he spoke of ominous days for any age, even ours. The Holy Spirit spotlighted a verse nestled among the prophecy about wars, persecution, and pestilence.

 “This will be your opportunity to bear witness” (Luke 21:13, ESV).

 Jesus encouraged them not to panic as others would. Why? This will be your opportunity to bear witness to the One who reigns over pestilence with peace.

 Immediately, I heard in my spirit, “Remember 9-11!”

 Again, this was months ago.

 September 11, 2001 was a day of war but also one of wisdom. Following the terrorist attack on New York’s Twin-Towers, the following Sunday, people filled our churches and found business as usual. Most, we are told, never returned. Why? They were not hoping for clever one-liners and witty sermons, but peace, assurance, a presence on us that assured inner strength in turmoil. I suppose they needed a Word, not a sermon. I remember the day well, and I didn’t have much to offer either. Neither did the seekers return to the church I pastored. 

 These times give us another opportunity.

 As the COVID-19 crisis hit, people filled grocery stores seeking toilet paper, sanitizers, and essential staple goods. In the next phase, they will search for what money cannot buy. Peace. Faith. Hope. Love. All the things they did not find after the 9-11 crisis of 2001.

 This is our opportunity.

 Herein lies the wisdom from 9-11: people will not search for another church service, great music, or sermons. It is likely that the core of our flock will be the only ones watching our live streams on Facebook. Be honest; better preachers than us are available on-demand at YouTube. They need something—Someone—that surmounts the current pandemic of fear.

 For several years, my message to the saints at Harvest and in other churches and conferences where I speak, “Do not lean on speakers and sermons, but learn to hear from God yourselves.”

 Do they need us? Yes. Eventually, however, the role of pastors and leaders is to teach sheep how to see and hear from the Lord for themselves. Then, release them to do the works of the kingdom. The Good Shepherd himself told his disciples,

 “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).

 “It is to your advantage that I go away.” Let that sink in. Jesus prepared his followers for his absence. He had to get out of the way so that Holy Spirit, “the Helper” could come. And we are aware of what happened when Jesus left, and the Holy Spirit fell on the church on the day of Pentecost. Peace and power multiplied many thousand-fold throughout the world!

 I admonish pastors to learn from our Good Shepherd. As the world panics, ask yourselves, “Have I taught the sheep under my care to sit in God’s Presence to hear the Lord for themselves? Or have I created a co-dependency upon me, my preaching, our worship music, and our Sunday production?” I’m not degrading the value of meeting together. Scripture is clear of its importance. But what about days like these? Jesus prepared the disciples for his absence from them so that the Holy Spirit could multiply his Presence through them. 

 Luke records Christ’s closing words about the chaos coming upon the world.

 “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).

 Jesus was not talking about the rapture or going to heaven, though these are inevitable. The redemption he speaks of is the liberating power of God for those held captive, especially in times of crisis. Amidst pandemics and pestilence, people look inside themselves and feel their emptiness and look for hope more than any other time. Redemption flourishes in chaos. 

 These are hard times, but not bad times. Jesus called ominous days like we are living in an “opportunity.” Take advantage of the times because Christ’s light never looked better than it does today against Corona’s darkness.

 “This is your opportunity to bear witness.”