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December 9, 2007
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Just Beyond My Vision, by Tom Norvell
As I drove along the highway on the brow of one of the mountains near
us, I would occasionally look to my left catching a glimpse of the
view. Every-once-in-a-while, there would be a break in the tree line
and I could see for miles across the valley below. Most of the time,
however, the view was just beyond my vision. The brief glimpses left me
wanting more, but not enough to stop the car. I wanted to see the whole
view, yet traveling at 55 MPH on a highway with a schedule to meet did
not allow time for seeing the beauty of view.
As we travel along life's highway, we often settle for only a glimpse
of what is and what could be. We have places to go. We have people to
see. We have things to do. We know, or at least we sense, that off to
our left or to our right, there is something more -- something
spectacular, something that would probably be worth our time and
effort, but we often fail to take it in. We are satisfied with it being
just beyond our vision.
When we think about a career, we know that there is potentially
something more out there that will thrill us -- something that will
excite us and something that will make us feel alive. That something is
the life that God intended us to live. Yet, we are in a hurry. We want
to get on with life. So, we often settle for what is convenient by
rationalizing that what could be is just beyond us.
We look at other marriages and long for their level of intimacy, those
skills in communication, and a relationship that provides that degree
of satisfaction. We admire their friendship. We marvel at how they seem
to be on the same wavelength all the time. Yet, we are so often
unwilling to sacrifice our pride, relinquish our control, or tear down
our walls. We resolve that we are asking for too much and that we
should be content and comfort ourselves with the thought that it could
always be worse.
In the quiet times of our day, we secretly fear that we are losing
connection with our children. We're busy. They're busy. The boss is
pressuring us to do more while our heart is calling us to take some
time off. We know we have it in us to be a great dad, but we realize
that would mean making some drastic changes in how we do work, how we
do family, and how we do life. So, we watch as our children grow older
and farther from us, but we comfort ourselves by saying that is just
the way life is in this busy world.
Are you about to settle for just a glimpse of what could be?
We hear about churches that are growing, thriving, reaching the masses,
communicating the good news, and ministering to their community. We
evaluate our talent pool and gift sets and realize we could do that. We
have that same potential. We talk in terms of what God could do and how
He could lead us to new levels of ministry. But the possible dangers,
the financial commitments, and potential for criticism scare us into
believing that God is satisfied with us like we are.
For three years, Jesus walked with His disciples showing them a new way
of living, illustrating a new way of loving, and demonstrating a new
way of interaction with people. He gave His followers a vision that was
just beyond what they knew as their reality. He believed in them and
gave them confidence assuring them that He would be with them all the
way. They believed it. They were ready. They dropped everything and
followed Him. When He died they went back to life as usual. Then He
came back. Their eyes were opened. They saw the complete vision. They
died for their conviction to share their vision of God.
Are you about to settle for just a glimpse of what could be? Have you
resolved that where you are and who you are in life is good enough? Or,
is there a yearning for something more? Is there a sense that God is
inviting you to slow down, to take a moment, to pull off the road to
take in the spectacular view from the top of the mountain?
[Jesus said] "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will
do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than
these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12 NIV).
God has something to show you. It may be just beyond your vision. Take
it in. Enjoy the view.
---------
(c) 2007 Tom Norvell <tomnorvell@mac.com>. Used by permission. A
Norvell Note <http://www.anorvellnote.com> is a weekly email
message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!
RELATED LINKS:
* Burden, Vision, and Passion
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200501/20050109_burden.html
* Creating a Vision for Your Congregation
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200501/20050104_vision.html
* Totally Present for Today with a Vision for Tomorrow
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200711/20071108_present.html
* A Norvell Note
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200712/20071209_beyondvision.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD, by Brother Lawrence
This edition of this timeless devotional classic will help you
cultivate a continual awareness of God in the everyday.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?223
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