Distraction!

So it seems that a lot of people are distracted right now. Many people in my community are in a season of frustration and distraction. Many of them have hopes and dreams and a vision that God has given them for their lives but it seems when people discover their vision very quickly they get distracted. It like the enemy knows when to send distraction just at the right time. It seems to come when a vision starts in your heart and you act on it. It comes in many forms but for the purpose of this blog I would like to address three that I see.

1. Opportunity – It is amazing how quickly we humans will give up the “BEST” for what is good. Opportunities seem to come right in the middle of moving towards your vision. They may be good but a distraction never the less. I have noticed for example with youth that they will go to a retreat or camp and be powerfully touched by God and leave on fire ready to launch into a vision when all of a sudden a special “boy” or “girl” will come into their life or they get a job and can’t make it to youth events or church. Now I am not saying we shouldn’t work or have a boy/girlfriend (depending on age). I am simply saying we need to ask the Lord first. Seek ye first the kingdom! Then everything else is added. God has the master plan and knows what you need to fulfill it. I would encourage you not to rush into opportunities until the Lord gives you the green light. It is easy to settle for good when He has best in His heart for you!
2. Criticism – For as many ideas as you have you will also have critics. There will always be someone who doesn’t understand and has a negative opinion of what you feel called to do. Often the smallest comment from the wrong person can lead you to give up on your dream. The very nature of vision is indefinable in the beginning it starts with an idea or thought. It’s ok that you don’t have all the answers or can’t answer certain questions. Don’t give up - many times the very question I can’t answer pushes me to dig deeper and in helping me find the answer it actually helps move my vision forward. The thing is that vision is so much a part of your heart that it is fragile. What overcomes criticism is conviction. If you know in your heart the vision is from God then there is nothing that can shake you off your tracks. Seek God for a strong conviction for the vision He gave you. Every time you get knocked down dust off and get back up. After all, if the vision seems too outrageous it is more than likely from GOD!
3. Fear – Fear is the hardest one to overcome because it is internal. Opportunities and criticism are externals and we can often see them for the attack they are. However fear is internal - it is at the base of who you are. We all struggle with some form of fear. A wall of fear often leads way to a wall of defense. For example if you fear rejection your defense could be to be a “people pleaser”. In my case I struggle with a fear of failure at times in my life so my defense was to try and look successful. The problem was that I never gave an honest assessment of my vision. I would always dream about what it could be rather then making it what it should be. In the end it would fail thus confirming my original fear. This would cycle over and over. You can put your own story in there. I am grateful God has broken that fear in my life and has healed the defenses. The bottom line is that fear is usually based on unknowns and assumptions based on our experience. The externals above tend to confirm the internals that are in our heart. Interesting hey? For example you may pounce on an opportunity because criticism came your way in something else that confirmed a fear in your life. So the opportunity made you feel good about yourself but it was based on fear not vision or faith. We are a crazy bunch. Anyway God’s perfect LOVE casts out all fear. ALL fear. Not a little bit but ALL. So when you get scared run into the arms of Jesus and just rest there for a bit until the conviction of the vision rises up to overcome the fear.

So you can overcome distraction by setting your eyes on Jesus the Author of your faith! Live out His dreams!!

Mark Gordon is an avid supporter of dreamers and especially loves to see people released to pursue and achieve those dreams. He has worked for many years in helping people do just this. Mark enjoys kicking back and watching a good hockey or football game after a long day at work.