As Jason opened Acts 6, we see the first crisis arising in the young upstart early church. It was growing and the hand of the Lord was upon this early church.(Acts 4:33). But like in any organization - yes even a church, yes even in our individual lives, we must deal with growing pains. In the early church, the growing pains led to a crisis.

The crisis erupted because the Grecian Jews felt their widows were being ignored at the expense of the Hebraic Jews. Expectations were not being met. The problem was laid at the Apostles' feet. Their response is critical to growth and unity of the church and ministry. What would have been your response? Me? I would have reacted by jumping in and got busy serving tables hoping to dissipate the crisis. Isn't this response of our culture today? To jump in and fix the problem.

The Apostles were wise in their decision to allow them to work out the solution for themselves. The seven men chosen to serve the Grecian widows were Greek speaking men who could relate and serve their people well. The Apostles chose to stay within their primary calling - prayer and ministry of word (Acts 6:4). They could have reacted to the crisis by jumping in themselves to handle it. It would have been counterproductive for the church. They chose rather to respond in a wise and patient manner. Acts 6:7 confirms their wise choice - "so the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly...".

When crisis hit (and they will many a times) our response is critical. We are not robots oblivious to pain, hurt, death, sickness, loss. Crisis affects us in several ways. But realize that we are not called to handle or control every crisis that we may encounter. As Jason reminded us so well, in the midst of crisis God's presence is most noticable. And in His presence there is peace.  If we can keep this fact in mind, it will save us from carrying burdens, stress, anxiety that we were not created (or called) to carry. Let's take a page from the early church and learn to respond rather than react when crisis knocks on the door of our lives. Holler back with your thoughts.