SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #111 ---- 2/28/00
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #111 ---- 2/28/00
TITLE: "Vision ---- It's Distractions" (Part Eight in Series of Twelve)
My Dear Pilgrim Partner and Friend:
I greet you in the Name of our all-sufficent Christ, acquainted with
grief, Calmer of the storms, and sustainer of all who call Him by name.
This has been another week where God has proven Himself faithful ---- not
because He must, but because it is His very nature to do so. What a
liberating discovery it is to find that God expresses Himself to us
simply because of His love and compassion ---- but never on the basis of
our merit or our performance. It is all His Grace, through and through.
GREAT NEED IN SARAJEVO:
I just received word from my friend, Tomislav Dobutovic, a pastor in
Sarajevo, and head of the Bosnian Bible Society, that they have a serious
need for an English speaking individual to join them in ministry. Here
is part of
his letter:
>"We are looking for a native English speaker with good spelling and
typing skills who could assist us with secretarial >with secretarial work
experience is preferable. We are looking for someone who could commit for
at least six months, >but a year or two would be of even greater
assistance. The area of our ministry covers church and pastoral work,
>humanitarian work, the Bible Society, and theological education. We are
in an exciting area with many ministry >projects and service
opportunities. Having a secretary would greatly free us in our ministry.
The need is urgent."
You may know of someone who might have an interest in such a missionary
project ---- or you might be interested yourself. If so, drop me a note
and I'll give you more detail.
IN REVIEW:
Thus far, we have looked seven of twelve topics I've chosen to cover in
this series on vision, namely . . .
1. The Definition of Vision ---- what it is and isn't. (#104)
2. The Description of Vision ---- what it is like (#105)
3. The Demand for Vision ---- why it is necessary (#106)
4. The Discovery of Vision ---- how to find it (#107)
5. The Development of Vision ----required "ground rules" for a true
vision (#108A,B,C)
6. The Decisiveness of Vision ---- a "line in the sand" "no turning
back" requirement (#109)
7. The Danger of Vision ---- dangerous to have; dangerous to not have
(#110)
Often I have readers request letters written earlier, such as the one who
wrote the following encouragement last week:
"Know how you can just tell that sometimes a certain 'string' in life
is from God? Well the newsletters on the church were 'in-line' with
everything else God has been having me read. It's incredible the way he
works! And I'm thankful that He is using newsletter you wrote more than
a year ago ... it's incredible and I thank you for running the race!"
The awareness of that certain "string" is one thing that has kept me
going on this particular theme, though every bone in my body has cringed
at the thought of such a long series. Even those of us in vocational
ministry have a pretty short attention span ---- especially if we're not
the ones writing the stuff. It's sort of like riding in a car ---- the
driver is always the one most comfortable and content with the way things
are going, while the passengers may be climbing the walls and clawing at
the doors to get out.
And, I have flat out simply "bombed" in writing some letters. Sometimes
I feel like I'm really tracking, and other times it is a nightmarish
chore where nothing flows and order has fled ---- but I wouldn't miss it
for the world. I just pray that even in the ones that "bombed" you will
have received at least one bit of encouragement to keep on in that to
which God has graciously called you.
LOOKING AHEAD:
So, with this particular race more than half run, we continue through the
third turn, talking about . . .
8. The Distractions from Vision ---- things that interfere with your
focus on your vision.
Then we'll cover the following as I try to bring this series to a healthy
conclusion.
9. The Destruction of Vision ---- things that will kill a vision
10. The Death of Vision ---- the necessity of letting it die
11 The Demonstration of Vision ---- what happens when you're "right on"
with your vision
12. The Discipline of Vision ---- how to maintain the vision for the
duration
VISION ---- UNDER ATTACK:
God continues to amaze me with His timely revelation and provision.
Frankly, today's topic has been a struggle. When I began developing the
twelve areas about which I wanted to write, I had a good idea of what to
cover regarding today's topic. However, somewhere in the ensuing seven
weeks, I apparently lost it all. All this past week I have struggled
with the matter, even coming to the point of wishing I didn't have to
write you today.
But, ---- God is good. He came through, and, I am so grateful. I hope
you will be, as well.
Yesterday morning Jo Ann and I had the opportunity of ministering to a
church that has gone through several years of sometimes turbulent
distractions.
While I don't know all the details, I do know that several years ago they
suffered the tragic and untimely accidentally drowning of their pastor's
wife. A ledge of rock on which she was standing broke loose, throwing
her into the lake. It then came down on her, pinning her under the
water, causing her death as her husband watched and struggled frantically
to save her life.
All he could do was submerge himself beside her and hold her hand as she
gasped for air and then went into the presence of the Lord.
Some time later a particular movement in the church created strife which
ultimately led to his untimely and unnecessary resignation.
Unfortunately a number of the members took issue with some things, and
upon his resignation nearly half the membership left, resulting in a
church split . And, as if adding insult to injury, just a few weeks ago
that group formed a church and promptly called the former pastor as its
interim pastor.
As Jo Ann and I ministered to the remaining congregation yesterday, we
found a group of people well grounded in the things of the Lord, but
still battered and wounded from the previous onslaught of the enemy. I
was frankly surprised to see such a healthy church, knowing something of
what they had suffered over the past few years.
However, there was one thing they lacked ---- a real sense of vision.
And, frankly, it is a little too early for them to have a true vision of
what God has for them. They need some time for healing.
THE SCOPE OF DISTRACTIONS:
Along with the impressions God gave me to share yesterday, my mind was
also brought back to a message I had preached some nine years ago about
distractions that divert us from God's presence. I had just been through
a horrifying experience the night before trying to kill a raccoon lodged
high in a tree outside my house, and then finding myself under attack
from a swarm of mosquitos while trying to hold a flashlight on the
raccoon and keep an accurate aim with my rifle.
It was a lost cause.
The raccoon was forever safe, my body was a mass of welts, my wife was
awake for the rest of the night, and my pride was eternally wounded by a
failed effort.
However, God did show me four important things about distractions.
1. Distractions are often Daily, like housework ---- it is always
Required, always Repetitious, and often Resented. Distractions do that
to you, and will tear you away from your vision. As one guy said, "life
wouldn't be so hard if it wasn't so daily."
Daily distractions can sap the life out of your vision.
2. Distractions are usually Deceptive, like yard work ---- it grows up
on you, it closes in on you, and it wins out over you, consuming your
time, exhausting your strength, and destroying your motivation.
Deceptive distractions can lead you away from your vision.
3. Distractions are also sometimes Debilitating, like mosquitos. ----
they are often tiny, noisy, and irritating. Before they do their harm,
they Buzz. While they're doing their damage, they Bite. And after
they've done their harm, they may have long term results that distract
you even further. But, that's the way distractions are ---- they
debilitate us from more important things.
Debilitating distractions can immobilize you from the pursuit of your
vision by keeping you preoccupied trying to fight off those infernal
"mosquitos".
4. Distractions are often Destructive, like raccoons ---- they have an
Attractiveness that is Deceptive, an Appetite that Devours, and an Agenda
that Disrupts, coming at unexpected moments and inconvenient times ----
like the middle of the night. Distractions do that ---- they destroy
that which has value.
Destructive distractions can do your vision in to it's total destruction
if you're not careful.
Now ---- you can see, my friend, just what great damage can be done to
your vision if you succumb to the distractions that come your way from
life in general and ministry in particular.
THE SPAN OF DISTRACTIONS:
This is what God opened to my heart yesterday for those dear people in
that church. Distractions come not only from many sources and in many
forms, but the come from differing spans of time.
1. First, distractions can slip up behind you and haunt you from the
Past ---- With a big "Boo!"
Nothing will distract you more than the memories of past failures, the
disappointments of dreams unfulfilled, the regrets of past mistakes. If
you are one who is distracted from a fresh vision by things of the past,
you'll never minister effectively with Power in the present, and you'll
never be moved with Perseverance for the future.
2. Then, distractions can broadside you in the Present.
Preoccupied by things of the past, or by expectations regarding the
future, your focus for your vision for today will never remain crisp and
clear enough to enable you to deal with those matters and issues
demanding attention today.
God operates in the eternal "now", making the present the most important
time in our lives. When we allow ourselves to be intimidated by things
in the present, we find ourselves basically useless in Kingdom work.
3. Finally, distractions can steal your Future.
If you have wounds or bad memories from the past, or if you are
inordinately preoccupied with things of the present (those "crisis"
situations that constantly consume your time and attention), those
distractions will virtually rob you of your hope and anticipations of the
future.
REMEDY FOR DISTRACTIONS:
Well, now ---- just how do you deal with distractions that are so
damaging to your ministry? Let me suggest the following things as being
necessary to the restoration of your vision.
1. If you are distracted by things from the past . . .
1) Develop a heart of thankfulness. Thankfulness reveals two things
which Satan cannot stand ---- gratitude and faith. When we thank God "in
everything" as well as "for everything" as Paul so clearly commands, we
are removing Satan's ground to bring condemnation against us for anything
in the past ---- both condemnation for past failures, but also
condemnation for our arrogance and pride over past victories.
2) Be willing to honestly grieve over any failures. God showed me in
a rather dramatic way just how necessary adequate grieving is in order
for the healing process to be complete. I wrote about that a number of
months ago.
Grieving is a gift from God ---- not the self pity type, but the genuine
sorrow "that leads to repentance". There is nothing wrong with proper
grieving, and it has its very important place in being set free from the
past. Don't hesitate to grieve. Doing so demonstrates broken humility
and a crucified pride.
3) Let forgiveness flow. Forgiveness is still the bottom line in all
relationships. If you have been slighted, overlooked, or hurt in the
past, it's time to forgive. If you have failed, hurt someone else, or
neglected your responsibilities, it is time to be forgiven.
Forgiveness releases people from the prison of the past and pardons them
into opportunity of healing and restoration. A person who does not
forgive or has not accepted forgiveness is still a prisoner to the past,
and will have no serious chance of developing any kind of vision to move
him onward in effective ministry. The best he can hope for is a form of
vision that does little more than keep his mind preoccupied so he doesn't
have to face the past.
2. If you are preoccupied with conditions of the present . . .
1) Begin with repentance. You cannot repent yesterday ---- you can
do it only today. So, the starting place for vision today and victory
tomorrow is ---- repentance today. Whatever it is about, do it. An
unrepentant heart is ham strung and unable to function effectively or
efficiently ---- it is like being a hurdler with a 100 pound weight
around one ankle.
2) Continue in obedience. No other action is more indicative of an
available heart than obedience. It is the ultimate expression of genuine
love. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments". God rewards
those who are obedient in the vision they have by giving them further
vision.
Glen, the guy who mails my letters to you, shared a wonderful quote that
really had personal application to me. I left the original quote on my
computer at home, but the gist was that we walk in the light we have, and
when we reach the end of the light, God will give us new light to move
on.
When I was a small boy staying with my uncle and aunt on the farm, we
often walked the three miles to church along back country roads abandoned
by all but the most hardy by either horseback, wagon, or foot. I
remember one particular night when the roads were slick and muddy from a
recent rain. Clouds still hovered, and lightning still flashed in the
distant skies.
As we walked along, I could see huge puddles of water off in the distance
as they reflected the flashes of lightning. I was terrified that I would
slip and fall into a rain swollen ditch. However, my uncle reassured
that the lantern was carrying would eventually light the path up there if
we would simply walk ahead in the immediate path illuminated before us.
That's what obedience in the present does. It enables us to keep moving
in vision as we approach the vision of the future and watch it
miraculously turn into the reality of the present. But, obedience is the
key.
3) Maintain freedom from distractions of the present through living
in the presence of the Lord. The enjoyment of the present is found by
basking in His presence.
Nobody in his right mind should consider that he could possibly overcome
distractions today without spending adequate time in the presence of the
Lord through quiet times, prayer, meditating, reading the Word, singing
His praises, and other such disciplines of stability. Yet, literally
tens of thousands of men and women in ministry neglect this one thing.
Their argument is, "when I get things finished up and have the time, then
I'm going to spend time in God's presence." Apparently they have never
heard Martin Luther's great quote, "I have so much to do today that I
cannot possibly get it done unless I spend at least the first four hours
in prayer and worship before my God."
If we are ever so distracted that we cannot or do not take time to be in
the presence of our King, we are far too distracted. And, it's no
wonder. We neglect our time in the presence of God because of the very
reason we are trying to avoid ---- distractions.
3. If you are unsure and intimidated by the future . . .
1) Learn to listen to what God is saying. I am constantly drawn back
to Isaiah 6 and the great prophet's encounter with his God. If true
vision is "seeing what God sees", then the results of that will be to
feel what God feels and hear what God hears.
While the touch of God with the coals from the alter will burn the scales
away so we can finally see what He sees, it is through listening that we
begin hearing what God hears. Tell Him you want to hear what He hears
---- and then listen.
2) Begin dreaming again. As you probably remember, one of my
favorite passages of scripture is Psalm 37:4 ---- "Delight thyself in the
Lord, and He will give thee the desires of thy heart." If we fully
understand the dynamics of that verse, we will no longer be afraid to
dream again.
You see, friend, when the past has crushed the fruits of previous dreams,
and fear strangles the birth of new dreams, you don't have a chance of
facing the future with any sense of expectancy and hope ---- unless you
are willing to dream again.
No matter how many dreams you've dreamed that were never fulfilled, dream
again.
What would happen, friend, if you woke up in heaven to discover that if
you had let yourself dream that one last dream of serving the Lord, it
was to be the one that would have been fulfilled?
I would rather dream again, and dream big, and not see it fulfilled than
to not dream and possibly miss out on the greatest moment in vision
fulfilled in my lifetime.
If you want to face the future with hope and confidence, you must begin
dreaming again.
When a man ceases to dream, he ceases to live ---- then he only exists.
3) Surrender your future to the Lord. It is not only necessary to
surrender our past to the Lord's forgiveness, and our present to the
Lord's provision, but also our future to the Lord's purpose.
If you haven't surrendered your future to the Lord, you have no reason to
expect there to be one.
You may say, "well, show me what it is, and then I'll surrender." You
know, of course, that it doesn't work that way. The just shall live by
faith, and not by sight. Like Thomas, we often say, "If I can see it,
then I'll believe it", when Jesus wants us to know that "if you believe
Me, then you will receive it."
Right now, friend, you have no future. But, if you'll surrender that
which is not yours and which you do not currently have, then you'll have
what you cannot attain.
And, that surrender must be without condition.
IN SUMMARY:
Well, there we are. The Distractions of Vision are centered in the past,
the present, or the future. Oh, to be sure, you can name certain
specific "things" that distract you ---- study requirements,
denominational duties, family discord, or a thousand other things. But
those things are simply symptomatic in that they can all be traced to
either bondage to the past, insecurity in the present, or fear and
uncertainty over the future.
So ---- If your distractions are rooted in the past, develop a spirit of
thanksgiving, openly grieve over any failures, and then forgive and be
forgiven.
If your distractions are present-day with you here and now, repent of
everything needed, continue in instantaneous obedience, and live daily in
the intimate presence of the Lord.
Finally, if your distractions intimidate you as from the future, develop
your listening skills and tune them to listening to the Lord, begin
boldly dreaming again, and surrender your future to Him.
All distractions are man made and demonically magnified. God never
creates distractions as a means of keeping us from His purposes, though
He can certainly use them to draw us back to Himself.
The vision He has given you is real. Perhaps it needs to be revived or
fine tuned, maybe even purged and purified. But "the vision is for the
appointed time. Though it tarries, wait for it, for it will surely
come."
In the meantime, don't miss it because of distractions.
In His Bond of Mercy and Compassion,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright February, 2000. All rights reserved.
We would love to hear from you ---- prayer requests, insights, etc. Feel
free to drop us a note at <[email protected]>.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know. Write <[email protected]>.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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