Never Let a Good Crisis Go To Waste

I wouldn’t consider myself a conspiracy theorist, but I sure do find them interesting. Did we really go to the moon in 1969? Is the Earth really a sphere? Was 9/11 an inside job? In the wake of COVID-19, I’ve heard many more conspiracy theories pop up. There are some about Bill Gates, the World Health Organization, and microchips in vaccines. Probably the most prevalent theory is that the whole pandemic was overblown in order for the rich and powerful to gain control over the public. 

The theory is that COVID-19 isn’t actually all that deadly, and that the world governments used this crisis to crash the economy and consolidate power. There’s a saying that one should never let a good crisis go to waste, and in this case, conspiracy theorists believe that the general public was taken advantage of through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let me be clear - I don’t believe this conspiracy theory. But, I can understand where such theorists are coming from. Since mid-March, the government of Canada has enforced quarantine rules. Almost everything about our social lives has been put on hold. So much has been cancelled and lost; it makes sense to want to find someone to blame. And as we see those who are benefiting from such circumstances, it becomes easy to ask whether or not they had a greater part to play in making it all happen.

The measures taken to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 were drastic, but I believe that our actions saved lives and we’re in a better place than we would have been had we done nothing. At the same time, devoid of a conspiracy, I also believe that there are people, companies, and governments who have not let this crisis go to waste. There are people who have misused their power and status for selfish gain during this time. But it’s nothing new; it’s something humans have always been good at.

For example, take the story of David, the most famous King of ancient Israel. He was chosen by God long before Saul (Israel’s first King) was dethroned. He was the youngest in his family, but he showed his courage and trust in God on the battlefield where he defeated the giant Goliath with a sling (1 Samuel 17). David took over as king (2 Samuel 5) and continued to lead Israel to many military victories.

During one battle however, he decided to stay home (2 Samuel 11). As he wandered around his palace, he saw a woman bathing on a rooftop. He used his position of power to bring her to him, and even though she was married, he slept with her - many people today would define this as rape. Her name was Bathsheba. After a while, news came to him the she was pregnant, so he came up with a plan. Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, was an Israelite soldier fighting in the battle. David summoned Uriah home to give a report. He hoped that Uriah would spend the night with his wife so when the baby was born, he would believe the baby was his. However, Uriah refused to do go home and sleep with his wife while his fellow soldiers were fighting and dying. 

So David came up with a different plan. He didn’t let the crisis of war go to waste. Instead, he used it to cover up his sin. He sent Uriah to the frontlines and ordered everyone else to draw back to ensure that he would be killed - and he was. After Bathsheba mourned for her dead husband, David took her to be his wife. David’s actions displeased the Lord greatly, and even though David recognized his sin and repented, the damage was done. As a consequence, the baby born to Bathsheba died.

From one perspective, it looked like David had won. He used the crisis to his advantage and was still allowed to be king. In fact, he’s remembered as one of the greatest, if not the greatest king of Israel. He’s known today as a man “after God’s own heart.”

This is how broken our world can be. Sometimes it seems like evil wins. Life isn’t fair. Sometimes the oppressors are allowed to walk. Sometimes the cheaters end up ahead. Sometimes those who take advantage of others get what they want. And the inverse is true as well. Sometimes the oppressed never find freedom. Sometimes those who play fair lose. Sometimes those who are taken advantage of don’t get retribution.

However, Jesus warns us that this way of living is short-sighted. Even if we don’t see justice now, when Jesus returns, justice is going to reign and all things will be made right. Even if some people seem to get ahead by doing evil, all they are doing is storing up their earthly treasures, as Jesus tells us in Matthew 6. All of their wealth, fame, and possessions will fade away and in the end they will be left with nothing. So instead of taking advantage of people for our own gain, Jesus actually invites us into a new way of living.

In the midst of this broken world there is a kingdom that exists within a different reality - the reality of Christ. Those who give themselves to this kingdom believe that life goes beyond our physical existence. Our treasures don’t belong here on Earth, but should instead be stored up in Heaven where they can never be destroyed. The Kingdom of God is defined by self-sacrificing love that looks with kindness and grace upon our enemies. It fights for peace and justice while embracing the suffering that may come as a result of such action. It seeks forgiveness, and cares for the vulnerable and marginalized.

Jesus was the prime example of what it means to live in the Kingdom of God. When a crisis hit, he didn’t think about how He could leverage it to gain power and wealth. He thought about how that situation could be used to share the love of God and proclaim His kingdom. This was on display when Jesus encountered the woman caught in adultery, the scared disciples on the sea, and many people who were sick and dying. But it was most clearly seen in the crisis of the cross, where, although tempted to take advantage of the situation to save Himself and show His power, Jesus offered His life so that through His death and resurrection, new life would be given to us.

Forget about the conspiracies. Forget about what other people are doing. As Christians, we need to remember to never let a good crisis go to waste. But that doesn’t mean we should take advantage of situations in order to further ourselves; instead, we should ask how we can use our time and resources for the glory of God. We are called to invest in the Kingdom of God and to share His love with the people around us.

This will look different for everyone. Maybe this pandemic has given you more time. How you can use your time wisely for God’s kingdom? Perhaps you have been able to save extra money because some of your plans have been cancelled or your regular recreational activities have been discontinued. Where can you redirect what you don’t need to help people who are suffering? Maybe new opportunities have been opened up to you. How can you follow the leading of the Spirit to do what He is calling you to do?

Whatever your situation looks like, let’s make sure to not let this crisis go to waste.