Better Focus

I was having a real problem with my eye-glasses. When I bought them nearly 4 years ago, I had a non-glare coating put on the lenses. Over the last 4 years, with much abuse, the non-glare coating started to deteriorate. If you looked at my glasses in the right light, they looked severely scratched. The actual lenses were not scratched, just the anti-glare coating. I thought it was not effecting my vision, but I was wrong. I could see at distance ok, but I could not see at all up close. If I were reading a book, I had to take those glasses off in order to be able to focus on the letters and words on the page.

I solved this problem by grabbing an older pair of glasses that I still had lying around the house. And I have to tell you, it is very much different. I am seeing much better without that hazy, scratchy mess in front of my eyes.

Can I be candid with you for a moment? My glasses were a physical sign of something that was also going on in my work as pastor. There have been some things that I thought I could just ignore and still be able to forge ahead. One of those things was some strategic thinking and planning. I haven't done a good job of thinking about the future of Bethany. I love Bethany and I appreciate greatly the role this church has played in our area of the world. I would hate to think that the impact of Bethany would somehow diminish on my watch. So, I need to put together a strategic plan of where we are going. Church strategy ultimately boils down to how we are going to build God's Kingdom in the time we are given here on earth.

I believe the change to a team-based governance is just the beginning of God positioning us for the future growth He is going to bring. I need to be seeking God's voice in how we will continue with (and through) growth. I would ask for you to pray with me for God's vision. That it would be clear and unmistakable. That it would be in sharp focus and not clouded by any distractions. That God would be glorified through every task we attempt as a church. Most of all, that the lost all around us would be introduced to a Savior who loves them too much to ignore them.

We stand on the verge of greatness. Will you engage? Or will you just wait and see what happens? This is not the time to be withdrawn from God's work. This is the time to be active (perhaps more active than you have been in your entire life) in order to reap the harvest that God has placed before us. So, begin by praying. Pray often. Pray and when you think you are done praying, pray some more. Let's seek God's laser-sharp vision and then let's work to accomplish what He shows us.


Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)