BEFORE we go to our next chapter in Principles of Spiritual Growth, I find it needful to take a moment in selah – to pause and to reflect.
I DON’T know if this falls under the category of urban legend as it has really taken on a life of its own, but there is this thought out there that the Chinese word for “crisis” is composed of elements that signify “danger” and “opportunity.” In my corporate days I’ve stated this myself learning it from business manuals on process and productivity improvement. A whole industry of seminars and motivational books have been inspired by this “outside of the box” thinking, and whereas it has merit and has spurred major improvements and changed thinking on how to see problems as opportunities, the premise may be built on a myth. How the idea even came into existence is an interesting story in itself. But the fact is our word “crisis” entered the English language around 1425 with the meaning of “turning point in a disease,” borrowed from the Latin crisis, which in turn comes from Greek krisis, meaning “a separating, distinguishing or decision point, judgment.” “Crisis” came to mean a critical stage in one’s life derived out of the its medical usage that meant “a turning point in a disease; a sudden change for better or for worse.” So if you think about it, this old Greek usage would seem to be in a somewhat better position to serve as a justification for the “danger + opportunity” idea derived from the supposed Chinese word, thus truly meaning a separation or decision/turning point with opportunities.
SO, why am I bringing this up on this Friday morning? Because, as I looked and thought through my prayer list this morning, recalling current events of late and many other factors going on all around us, I noted a lot of disheartening and troubling things. Friends and family are very ill, people are losing work as companies are closing down or moving operations elsewhere, individuals are looking for work in a shaky economy, and a lot are facing uncertain changes. These are indeed stressful times.
THIS brings me to another Mark Hamby Daily Comment that brings to mind “Crisis” and the meaning of dangerous opportunity.
The true definition of crisis is a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point.
I like that definition, because how we react to a thing at the critical moment is the determining factor. It is said the “character is formed in the crucible of adversity”, and “conduct reveals character … in a person’s life.” (Charles Dyer)
MANY are facing real difficulties at this very moment. We need to be in prayer for one another and offer up encouragement as we can. With that there are two thoughts I would like to share.
1) THE “Romans 8:28” (all things work together for good) is that of the Old Testament Gen. 50:20, where Joseph is a type of Christ, and after facing incredible circumstances of betrayals, loses, and injustices, yet finds in the end the redemption of his God. He truly gives us the perspective of the crisis viewpoint through the words, “you meant [and did] evil against me; but God meant it for good.” Ponder the significance of that statement in its full context.
2) Mark Hamby’s consideration below, which is: Trusting in the promises of God is no easy task when faced with seemingly impossible circumstances. But nothing is impossible with God.
SO with that in mind, here’s “Do you Believe” from Mark Hamby. May the Lord grant us his blessing in seizing the opportunities at hand.
With highest regards in Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa. 30:15; Jas. 1:2
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Do You Believe?
Mark Hamby
Many lives were radically altered prior to the birth of Christ. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in his old age, announcing the coming birth of John. Then there was the miraculous pregnancy of two women–one past childbearing and barren and the other a young virgin. Each character faced challenging circumstances that would alter their lives forever.
The angel’s words of consolation to Zechariah reveal that he was a praying man. His elderly wife even bears a child because of his prayers! Regrettably, however, his prayer life was stronger than his faith. Learning that his prayers had been answered, he questions the angel by saying, “How shall I know this?” We are not given much information concerning Elizabeth’s response to the news of her pregnancy.
Mary’s response seems, in English, the same as Zechariah’s. She says to the angel Gabriel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Note the responses:
Zechariah – “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
Mary – “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Though the responses seem similar, the Greek words for “how” are completely different. Zechariah’s “how” is a combination of two Greek words which frequently denotes opposition or intensity. Zechariah skeptically asks the angel, “How can I be sure?” The angel Gabriel restricts Zechariah from speaking until his son is born, because he “did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”
In contrast, the word “how” that Mary uses expresses exclamation as “how much” or “in what way” will this be accomplished. Zechariah answers the angel from a heart of disbelief; Mary embraces the word of the angel by faith. What a rebuke for Zechariah as he heard these words fall from the lips of his wife: “. . . blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Trusting in the promises of God is no easy task when faced with seemingly impossible circumstances. But nothing is impossible with God.
