I am about to celebrate 40 years in the stewardship arena, However, I must admit I have never made this statement as many times as I have made in the last 4 months: “I don’t know” or “I am not sure”. This Pandemic has tossed all of us a curve ball. Frankly, a pitch none of us have ever seen before, ever!
History has a way of repeating itself. It really does. In fact the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon said “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Do we somehow believe Solomon would have uttered that statement if he had lived through 4+ months of COVID-19? There have been lots of dark moment in history and moments of uncertainty; unprecedented times are not new to history buffs.
Back Then
The year 1940 was an unprecedented year in world history and in particular Europe. Nazi Germany had run through most European countries like a hot knife through butter. Poland, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Holland, and soon to be France name a few. An unlikely candidate named Winston Churchill was named as the new Prime Minister of England.
France was also about to surrender to the Nazi war machine. Over 380,000 British and French troops had retreated to Dunkirk. All of England was fearful as the last notch in the Hitler gun was the British Isles. They feared the Blitzkrieg and were certain there would be an invasion of ground forces in a matter of days or weeks.
Churchill’s first speech to the nation happened on April 9, 1940. Here’s an excerpt from that speech: “It would be foolish to disguise the gravity of the hour. It would be still more foolish to lose heart and courage”. Churchill shared many of the fears of his countrymen and women. But he instilled hope, faith, courage, and leadership with heart over the next 5 years as WWII played out in Europe, the Pacific, Africa, and Asia.
Today
I don’t have his words of wisdom for you today. I wish I did. But I can say this – don’t lose heart, courage, hope, or faith in our God. HE is in charge as our world re-boots and when you say, “here we go again”. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. HE does.
Be faithful and God will supply the fruit. HE will help you as you re-boot and re-tool your ministry. Certainly, there is some gravity to this hour in which we live. Be strong and courageous and do the work, the Lord your God is with you. “He will not fail you or forsake you until all of the work is finished”, so says 1 Chronicles 28-19-20.
Marching orders in this battle and in this war are on the invisible foe. It’s clear: be safe, share hope, and lead with heart and courage as you connect with your colleagues or ministries and with your donors. RE-Read Psalm 91 in The Message. Invite everyone around you albeit the gravity of these times to rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Yes, history repeats itself. So, let’s lead with heart.
Author: Pat McLaughlin, Founder & CEO of The Timothy Group. Check out some of Pat’s published books.
