Don’t waste a crisis
Recently a service was held on the streets of Salisbury to reclaim the places affected by the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal and kick-start the recovery of the city from these events. The Bishop of Salisbury commented, “Don’t waste a crisis. The crisis gives us an opportunity to think about who we are, and what we are about.”
A crisis may not seem a very positive event. However, the word derives from a Greek word for time, “chairos”. It implies there are critical or opportune moments in time where we make a decision that can shape our future life or future events.
Crises often have life-changing effects, as it has for those affected by the Salisbury poisonings. How they respond will be critical. For example, a friend shattered his heel and it meant he could no longer take part in several sports he loved. During his recovery, he discovered new activities to pursue and set himself new goals, rather than allow himself to be dominated by what he had lost. It took support, courage and encouragement to work this through and shows how a crisis can be used well, not wasted.
At the heart of Christian faith is our conviction that God can bring new life out of death, borne out of the resurrection. No matter what has happened which diminishes life, we can, with God’s help, recognise and nurture the positive things that can emerge. St Paul put it like this “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Rhona Floate,
The White Horse Team Ministry
