God forbid that the Bridegroom comes while we are distracted.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap." Luke 21:34
With the latest church gossip, scandal, world news, political turbulence, social problems, financial uncertainty and all the other issues in our current world, God forbid we fall prey to distraction.
What we focus on takes the pre-eminence. However only Jesus should have the pre-eminence in our heart as his Church.
"He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything." Colossians 1:18
In Luke 10:41- 42, we have Jesus' direction on how to handle the many cares, obstacles and issues that have arisen and will still arise:
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” NIV
This is God's wisdom and it is not just for females, it is for the whole Church: Jesus is our priority.
The way to defeat the enemy is not by focusing on what he is up to, ruminating over it, analysing, discussing it a million times with all and sundry, or even preaching about it. If we do, we have fallen prey to the devil's wiles. What we are called to is to go preach the gospel of the Kingdom. Matthew 24:14
The wisdom of God expects us to wilfully channel our minds from the distractions before us and focus on what our God is up to and what he is saying to us at this moment. In other words, switch the channel from the devil's antics to the Lord's purposes. That is the only way to move forward or be at peace in a storm. (Luke 8:23-25).
Our focus is JESUS and our message is his word. Rise above that which refuses to submit to the word of God. It is only as Christ' vision becomes plain to us and takes over our hearts, that we can truly run and fulfil it.
The time is short and there is no room for distractions. All that believe in the son of God I admonish you to let your heart beat for what the Lord's heart beats for.
Fight injustices, feed the poor, speak up for the fatherless and widows, and never forget the most pressing issue Jesus Christ died for: the salvation of the human soul.
So, what is your focus? Is it the same as Christ'? What grips your attention? What is your priority? Is it of eternal value?
Is it Jesus, worldly concerns or the devil's tantrums?
The Lord is telling us to go beyond over-analysing issues or flogging dissension to lift our eyes up: look up to Jesus.
We look to him not just for help, but because he is home. Jesus is our home i.e. our place of power, peace, refuge, safety, clarity direction and drive. Intimacy with the Good Shepherd is everything.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John16:33
We are not of this world. We have a home in Christ. If circumstances can be used to make us forget whose we are, where we are from, what we are called to, we lose. The devil is then not the problem, our focus is.
In Daniel 10, Daniel had a revelation of what was to be but he did not have a full understanding of the vision so he decided to pray and fast for 3weeks. Though the answer came to Daniel after the 3week fast, it had already been sent by the Lord from the very first day he set his heart to fast and pray.
As the angel said to him, "But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” Daniel 10:13-14
Daniel did not know of the battle going on in heavenly realms against his prayers, but he busied himself doing what he knew to do - which was to pray. As it turns out, that truly was all he needed to know.
Later on we (and he) get the insight into the spiritual battle that was raging between the Lord's angels and demons against his prayers. The purpose for the insight being given, was not to remove the focus from God to defeating demons, but to encourage us to persevere in what we already know to do according to his word.
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:4
Right now, the Lord is saying to us:
Do what you already know to do according to the scriptures and prophecy/revelation. [1Timothy 6:20]
So many things are worthy of our attention e.g. the upcoming Billy Graham crusade in the different locations in the UK, the several reach-out events lined up in your church, ministry, town, city or country to glorify Jesus in the lives of so many. The Bible distribution (and gospel preaching) projects utilising the tools being developed in the body of Christ to ensure the Lord's autonomy and voice is preserved untainted to reach the world and grow the faith of millions. Reaching souls for Jesus by all means and growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the good Shepherd) are all great things to focus on. Or as I am doing, reach out to your next-door neighbour in love.
Till all know his voice and can identify it from every other voice, our job is not done. Only those who know his voice will hear his (trumpet) call. Intimacy with God and being full of his spirit ensures that rivers of living waters can begin to flow out of us to those around us.
"Whoever puts his trust in me (Jesus), as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from his inmost being!” John 7:38
Distraction is of the enemy. Fight to keep the King of kings in His position in your heart, in the atmosphere and in our world. Have your lamps full of oil so that when the master comes, we will have more than enough to light the path for the Church to meet it's groom.
As we shine the light of Jesus to all that cross our path each day, in every way, we prepare the path for our coming King.
That is the fight we are called to fight: the fight of the faith.
God bless you.
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"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12
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