Leading From the Low Point

'Never waste a good crisis,' is a statement often attributed to the famous British wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill. With this, he indicated that the United Nations' existence had stemmed primarily from a deep period of crisis: World War II.

As followers of Jesus, we can sometimes struggle greatly with the crises in our lives. Do they come from God? And if so, what intention does He have with them? I personally believe that deep valleys and major crises are not caused by God to teach us something, but that these events just happen (as they do in a broken world and oftentimes even by our own doing)—but that God, in that crisis and right through it, gives us purpose and meaning.

Just look at the story of Simon Peter. His betrayal was within his own control. God didn’t cause it. Jesus didn't cause it. But… he did anticipate it. And so he was able to give the crisis a turn that none of us would have expected—Simon Peter least of all! When Jesus asked Peter “Do you love Me?” after the resurrection, He didn’t just restore their relationship—He restored Peter’s leadership: “Feed my sheep.”

Out of one of the lowest moments in Peter’s life came one of the highest callings. That’s how Jesus works. He doesn’t cause a crisis, but he doesn’t waste a crisis either! He repurposes it. He builds something new from what feels ruined.

And we see this unfold dramatically within Simon Peter. In Acts 2, after Pentecost, Simon Peter stands up—no longer burdened, no longer afraid. He proclaims the risen Jesus with courage and clarity. The same man who once denied knowing Jesus now leads thousands into new life. This is how God reshapes a broken leader.

What part of your story—especially the painful or messy part—might God be asking you to lead from, not in spite of, but because of?