TAKING THE WHEELS OFF

I would guestimate that around thirty years ago, one of our Free Methodist bishops gave a message titled “Taking Off the Wheels” (or something like that).  His text was Genesis 11:31-32. 

Terah took his son Abram and grandson Lot (Haran’s son) and his daughter-in-law Sarai (Abram’s wife). They left Ur of the Chaldeans together and traveled in the direction of the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Haran, they settled there. Terah was 205 years old at that time, and he ended up dying in Haran.

 

He suggested from this text that the original call to go to the land of Canaan had come to Terah – Abram’s father!  He had gathered up his family and embarked on the lengthy journey from Ur of Chaldea [near present day Kuwait City at the tip of the Persian Gulf] to Haran [in today’s north-central Syria – along the Euphrates River].  This has been estimated to have been a trip of approximately 600 miles and took place approximately 1,900 B.C.!

 

Arriving in Haran and finding the land livable and appealing, Terah took the wheels off the wagon and settled in.  However, after he died, Abram felt the compelling call of God to go on farther to the land o Canaan.  As a result, he put the wheels back on the wagon and completed the journey!

It’s easy to get distracted!  It’s part of the human condition to settle for less.  Terah was old and the journey had been LONG and HARD!  Living along the Euphrates must have been very appealing.  So, he settled!

_______________________________

How often does this happen to us?

I believe that churches make this compromise frequently. 

Again, it’s easy to be distracted! 

The goal is to have a global impact, but once you begin to see fruit and your impact is making a difference – it suddenly becomes your Haran! 

The deadliest thing a church can do is to build a building! 

Now, you’re set the limits on your growth! 

Oh, you can go to multiple services [and many do].  But to some extent, you’ve compromised your mission. 

It’s a lot of work to take care of a growing congregation! 

·         Planning worship

·         Being creative

·         Visiting the sick

·         Caring for the needs of the people

·         Recruiting, training and releasing new workers and leaders

·         Property care

·         Etc.

The wheels either get taken off, or go flat!  The mission gets compromised. 

____________________________

How much does this happen in our personal lives, too?

When we first awaken to the call of Christ in our lives, we see all kinds of possibilities.  We work hard and make sacrifices.  But then life’s distractions come along and we may cool in our commitment to the mission He had shown us. 

Leadership gurus speak to this issue frequently.  How do we sustain the vision and keep our focus?  Whole books have been devoted to this topic. 

How do we maintain a daily walk with God?  J  Same question! 

We all know the answers for us personally:

            Prayer

            The Word

            Engagement with other believers

            Daily praise and worship

            Service in the name of Christ

For a church it has a lot to do with re-casting the vision consistently and frequently!  Also, with leaders holding one another accountable to the mission!

Lord,

Help us to stay focused – as people and as churches!

This is a journey we are on and we don’t want to be distracted.

Speak to us daily!  Correct us when we need it!  Lean on O King Eternal!

Amen!