Crisis? Or opportunity?

“At every crossroads there are at least two choices: to view your circumstances as a calamity, or to view it as an incredible opportunity.” from the book Chop Wood, Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf.

I was fortunate to read this book last week, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

How could I, how could any of us realize, that just a week later schools would be closed, sporting venues empty, and stores across the country would be out of toilet paper.

Certainly, our lives have changed, at least for now. We’ll have to make adjustments to our daily lives, and it seems we learn something new each day that changes the Changes we’ve already made.

But it doesn’t mean we should give up hope.

And it doesn’t mean this can’t be an opportunity for us.

The Chinese symbol for “crisis” is the combination of two words: danger and opportunity.

In the book, Medcalf goes on to tell the story of Benaiah, who chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day, and killed the lion. Benaiah went on to become a bodyguard for King David.

“When most people come face to face with their opportunities (lions), they run as fast as they can in the opposite direction, but when you decide to embrace the lion and chase it, you have the opportunity to build your resume, your character, your skills.”

We will have to make changes (at least for now). And while we are encouraged to stay away from social gatherings, it doesn’t mean we have to hide.

Instead, let this be a time for each of us be a lighthouse to those around us, standing tall and proud and sending out a light of hope for those around us. Let’s use this time to use our individual strengths and talents to help and inspire those in our neighborhoods, towns, country, and even the world.

God never promised us more than the day we have now. I encourage you to use this day to inspire those around us.

Hope isn’t dead, my friends. It’s time for us to share our own hope to everyone around us.