Living & Leading in Turbulent Times
When the financial meltdown first hit the press, my immediate reaction was: "What a great time to be a Christian!"
I have an awesome God who can be trusted. I can have unexplainable peace in turbulent times. And before us are wonderful opportunities to be a testimony to the many who will be seeking answers to the woes that beset the unsuspecting masses.
Furthermore, Psalm 37 reminds us that we have the privilege of feeding on His faithfulness, delighting ourselves in Him in times like these and resting in Him because "…the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble." (v39 NKJV) The righteous need not fear the impending doom and gloom, and that "a little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked." (v16)
And when we have a 'bona fide lifestyle' we can provide 'authentic leadership'. Bad times are opportune times to lead. I would suggest four practical ways to lead in turbulent times:
Firstly, we must lead from His Presence. Psalm 27:5: "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock."
We can genuinely exude a calm that emanates from a real understanding of God's protection. Our churches can be a safe haven - a place where people can find needful counseling and practical answers because in His Presence, we have the answers.
Secondly, the Church should lead by sowing. The Church need not be afraid - though the world is scaling down, we can continue to grow and build. Like Isaac, let us be bold to sow in times of famine and expect to reap a hundredfold. (Gen 26:12: "Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him.") We need not shrink back but instead move forward with faith-filled confidence that He can still bless.
Thirdly, make the shift from 'big boys' to 'big brothers' - yes, share resources. Help 'poorer' churches with liquidity problems (tithes have been known to decline in some affected Asian countries and it will affect us). In times like these, one will discover the value of relationships, connectivity and being 'covered'.
Yes, it's time the big churches share the strength we have often boasted of with our brethren. We must also look outside our church doors. It's time we move from cheque-book philanthropy to hands-on charity. Not only do we share our resources, but are involved in the lives of the suffering. Good works must increase in bad times.
Lastly, provide the eschatological perspective of tumultuous times. Sustainable encouragement comes only from understanding God's long-term plans for His people. The psalmist reminds himself that he would have lost heart unless he had believed that he would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). No church, no leadership, no man of God will be exempt from the tempest of the storm, and unless one has an eschatological understanding, he will not possess the necessary edge in leading in these times.
The financial storm may hit hard at our markets and churches, but the spiritual reality is that we shall be "set high upon a rock" (Psalm 27:5).
This is not the time to be afraid. |
