Hope in the Midst of Crisis by Alicia Britt Chole

Alicia Britt Chole, who spoke at our Holy Week Dinner three years ago, has written this blog which is posted on her blog, Dr. ABC.

Recently, a dear friend asked me what I was sensing in this crisis. Several thoughts had been swirling about in my soul but her prompt brought them into focus.

Though God did not cause this crisis, I am confident that He will not waste this crisis. My heart is filled with anticipation of a healthier Church emerging from these troubled days.

I HOPE THAT THIS CRISIS WILL…

  • awaken our hearts to the sacred.

  • loosen our attachment to the shiny.

  • jolt us into a new respect for freedom.

  • transition our faith in faith to faith in God.

  • inspire gratitude in us for the simple and small.

  • remind us that Jesus is our Source, not our servant.

  • expose any wealthy worries as the thorny fruit of privilege.

  • unmask entertainment that has been masquerading as discipleship.

  • redefine “contentment” with more sustainable (and attainable) ingredients.

  • burn off unhealthy fat that has collected around (and weighed down) our faith.

  • empower us to never again mistake abundance for obedience or emotion for devotion.

  • shock us with our spiritual shallowness and drive us anew to the depth of God’s Word.

  • reveal anything that--though it may “sell” well in Western Christianity--isn’t strong enough to stand on.

  • wean us from the noise inherent to prosperity and give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

In Him, Alicia

Janet Hill