Diversion

One of the greatest tactics that Satan uses is diversion. If he can distract you from doing what God is asked you to do, he knows how effective this can be in thwarting God's work on the earth. Recently I've noticed some distractions that have been popping up in church planting, distractions that are diverting church planters from fulfilling the call that God gave them to plant a church. What are those distractions? Money (it's the economy stupid), people (the lack thereof), and ego (I don't want to look like a failure). Whenever your attention is diverted by these things the success of the church plant quickly erodes. Erosion is somewhat slow, it usually takes its time, but it is very successful in taking what you were firmly planted on out from under you. That is what these things I mentioned are doing in church planting today. I've seen (and still see) to many guys slowly eroding away from their call of planting a church. Their strategy has been compromised by things that have distracted them away from their work. Their attention is not focused on "what's above", but on "things that are of the earth." So, what is the answer? Jesus said that our focus always needs to be on "seeking first the Kingdom of God", I think this is first and always foremost the answer. We need to ask the hard questions when distractions and temptations stare us in the face. Questions like; "did God not call me to this task", "who is my provider", "is God's opinion more important than men", "can God not provide everything I need to be successful in His eyes"? The point in writing this blog is to communicate that when we are faced with diversions (satanic and worldly) we must look to the One who the Bible tells us is the "Author and Finisher of our faith", the One who promised that He "would never leave nor forsake us", and that He "would provide all of our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus." Diversions may distract us for a time, but they should never destroy us from moving forward in fulfilling God's call to plant a church. If you find yourself having been distracted from your call, do yourself a favor and divert your attention back to the one thing that matters the most; God's call and plan for your life.