One of the things that I have learned is this:  Often, the greater the crises, the greater the opportunity that lingers just around the edges of that crisis.

Here’s why.  The size and potential of the opportunity often reflect the breadth and depth of the crisis. In other words, the more people impacted by the crises, and the deeper the individual pain, the more potential in the opportunity.  It’s a matter of quantity and quality — if you can excuse those words to describe a crisis – of the discontent spread by the crises.

And, while there are segments of our population who have not been touched by the economic tremors, almost everyone is seeing their previously closely held values questioned, their lifestyles altered, and their worldview is shaken.

So, the breadth and depth of the discontent that boils to the surface is unprecedented in our lifetime and hauls along with it an equally unprecedented opportunity. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  If you respond appropriately, your life and your business may never be the same.

You are not likely to alter the course of our economy all by yourself.  That is work so large that we’ll rely on God to do that.  But you can contribute your piece of that.  You can make a contribution to the Kingdom by focusing on the segment of it in which you find yourself.

When you search for and then realize the opportunity chained to this crisis, you’ll latch onto an opportunity to reshape your business or your career.  And that is powerful and often life-changing.

But there is another level.

Some of you will see this as an opportunity to pivot and more firmly plant your business and career in the Kingdom.  You’ll use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become not just a worldly success, but a powerful spiritual entity.  You’ll understand that business is ministry and that you are the stewards of a potential spiritual juggernaut.

Each of us, with our own careers and business, are like small steams bubbling out of the ground.  Individually, we may not seem like much, but we are important to the people who drink our water, and when we all join together, we can create a Mississippi river.

The key, of course, is you.  More specifically, it is your set of thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes – your paradigm as it relates to this crisis, and your role in the Kingdom.

If you believe that Christianity is defined by where you go and what you do in church, and that business has no part of it, then you’ll probably not step up and take full advantage of the opportunity on the other side of it. However, if you are aware of the role business and the marketplace play in God’s grand design, you’ll tremor with anticipation for what your career and business can be on the other side of this crisis.

Business is God’s first choice for a venue in which to interact with mankind, to bless people, to more fully develop creation, to build people’s character, and to impact their spirituality.   It is a special ministry in the Kingdom, and you are a special minister. (See The Good Book on Business)

We know that God uses adversity to create leaders who then shape society.  Think of Moses and 40 years of preparation herding sheep. Or Joseph, who spent years in prison and as a slave before the famine presented him an opportunity to become CEO of the largest enterprise in the world.  Or David, who spent years hiding and being pursued by Saul before ascending to the throne and shaping the nation of Israel for generations.

Your time is coming. There is a world of challenge, impact, and fulfillment just ahead.  The crises we are seeing is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Don’t let it pass you by.

Early in the crisis, I presented a webinar entitled ” Transforming Crises into a Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity.”  In it, I tell the story of how God used a business crisis to transform my business and do substantial work in me.  You can now watch the recording of that webinar free.  Go here to view it.