“This lockdown has enough me time to help you to get your life together. Refuse to come out of this lockdown being the same.”
― De philosopher DJ Kyos
Winston Churchill is supposed to have said, “Never waste a good crisis”. Whether he said it or not, Churchill was an astute politician, and some would say, philosopher. He had a very unique perspective on things and will forever be remembered as the Prime Minister who inspired his nation leading it through the worst crisis they had ever faced. Few of us will have statues made of us or schools and streets named after us like Churchill. But facing a crisis with a resolute determination to come through it stronger and more unified is fodder for the legends future generations recount. A crisis forces people out of their comfort zone into uncharted territory. A crisis is a time of re-evaluation, of reflection and of setting one’s priorities in order. Have you done that? Have you taken time to really evaluate what is most important in your life? Are you where you thought you would be at this point in your life? What changes are in order?
Many successful businesses began after a person was fired from their job. “it was the act of being made redundant that forced the change in approach – they needed a push. Living in the comfort zone can lead to an individual operating below their potential.” [Andrew Low – Real Business]. The fact is, most of us prefer status quo, the known, the routine or the expected day to day activities. Many people like to coast along until retirement and live out their life according to long established traditions. The problem is that too often life throws a wrench in our plans. A virus, a diagnosis, a crisis, an economic crash, a war, or a conniving business partner changes everything. We are forced to find a plan B or even a plan C.
A crisis has the ability to force us to look at our life to see if what we have been chasing after is actually worthwhile or if we have been on the wrong road all this time, chasing the wrong dreams or goals. How should we be connecting with those who are important to us? How should we be spending our discretionary time? Are we putting all of our efforts into the right things, or should we really be going down a different path, a different vocation, a different future? Will the legacy we leave be worthy following, or will it be cashed in quickly by the next generation? Don’t waste a good crisis.
These are unprecedented times and they call for unprecedented evaluation of our life, our goals, our direction, and our future. In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”, but then He follows it with, 12 “’Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’declares the Lord”
Maybe you have come to realize the importance of consulting God when it comes to planning your future, setting your priorities, and establishing your goals. Don’t waste a good crisis. Some things shouldn’t go back to “normal” ever again. “I will be found by you” says the Lord, “when you seek me with all of your heart.” Maybe it’s time to do more seeking.
