ONE good and positive aspect of any crisis we may be
having, like what we have these days with this COVID pandemic, is that
it is actually a good occasion to see how we are as a person, a child
of God, a citizen, a leader, etc.
When we are suddenly thrown into strange, unfamiliar and
difficult situations, the true face of the different statuses we have
come to the fore. Crises are like reagents that expose our inner self
and true identity. Are we a God-believer or not? Are we a practical
man or just a theoretical one? Are we brave or a coward? And many
other categories can be considered.
What is clear is that we should always be vigilant and try
our best to be prepared for the worst scenario that can happen to us.
And the previous difficulties and crises that we have been through
should always be giving us precious lessons and clear ideas of what to
do and to have, and how we ought to be.
Unless it is not yet the end of our life or the end of the
world, we should be collecting these lessons and come up with what is
known as a go-bag which contains the bare necessities for survival
during emergency situations.
To be sure, the most important kind of go-bag, one that is
kept always in our heart and soul and is filled not only with
material, perishable things but more especially with a vibrant faith,
confident hope and burning love, should always be by our side, ready
to be grabbed anytime when the need arises. This kind of go-bag is
what can bring us to our ultimate and definitive home.
Obviously, this spiritual go-bag of faith, hope and
charity does not exclude but rather would impel us to be ready
materially also. Our experiences of the past crises should give us
good ideas of what to prepare in terms of food and other basic
household necessities.
If we happen to be leaders or officials in government or
private companies, we should have different plans for the possible
different scenarios the crises would provoke. As much as possible, we
should avoid finding ourselves flat-footed when these crises come. All
levels of authority should have the appropriate plans.
With our experience of this COVID pandemic, we have to
learn how to meet the necessities of the people in a crisis that will
take a good length of time and that would entail drastic changes in
our life—with lockdowns and other restrictive measures enforced. We
have to condition ourselves that this kind of crisis is going to
happen with greater frequency the more so-called progress we attain in
the world.
We should look into the areas where we are found wanting
at the moment, like how do we give due attention to those who are most
disadvantaged by these crises—the poor, the weak and sick, those who
find themselves out of work all of a sudden, etc. What help and
support can the leaders and other officials give? What appropriate
structures and systems should be put in place?
These crises should bring out in us the many good
potentials we have as a person, as a citizen, as a leader or official.
They are great learning moments.
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