Leading with Courage: Covid-19 Crisis and Opportunity
“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 ESV
Times of crisis do not make leaders, but they do reveal them. If there ever was a time for courageous, wise leadership, now is the time!
With the Covid-19 pandemic increasingly gaining people’s attention, many are being reminded of their mortality and vulnerability. School schedules have drastically changed and major sporting events or seasons are cancelled or postponed indefinitely. Large public gatherings including worship services (think Easter) will be removed from our calendars, at least for a while. With the tumbling of the financial markets and threat to personal health, things that once were sources of personal security are being stripped away. In previous financial downturns some would say, “Well, at least I have my health.” Now even that is under siege. People are feeling very, very vulnerable and insecure.
Into this breach step Kingdom leaders with the answer everyone so needs. It is for such a time as this that we have faith in the One who knows the end from the beginning. It is in times as this that we need to be reminded of the hope that lies beyond this life. This is not to say that we adopt a fatalistic attitude – what will be will be. No, we should be wise as we go about our daily routines. But our confidence is not in our hand washings and social distancing, but in the Lord Jesus! Kingdom leaders point their friends to the One who holds the future in His hands.
This crisis atmosphere is also an opportunity to advance the gospel. Those who do not know the Lord have little resource to fall back on for hope and comfort and we have the answer. Anticipate the Lord creating daily opportunities for you to point others to the One who can give them the security they long for and desperately need. Be bold and be sensitive to the leading of His Spirit.
“Be strong and courageous…” the Lord told Joshua. (Joshua 1:6 ESV) Like him, you came to the Kingdom for such a time as this!
Developing Kingdom Leaders - Tom Yeakley 