Matthew 13:22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Another dream killer is distraction. Distractions are thorns that choke our God given purpose. We must make a conscious decision to stop getting distracted by things that have nothing to do with our goals. Starve distractions and feed focus. Our car will move in the direction that we are focusing on. If we look at the pavement on the side while driving, we will soon sway towards where we are focusing. Nehemiah, was a captive from Israel, who held a secular position in the palace and served the Persian king. He was a cupbearer to the King. Only an integrous and trustworthy person can rise up to the position of a cupbearer. Nehemiah found favour in the eyes of the king and went on a mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that was destroyed during the Babylonian captivity. The sole purpose of his mission was to wipe away the disgrace of his people and fortify the walls of Jerusalem.
Purpose will always face interruption, disruption and confrontation. So did Nehemiah. Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?” There were Arab settlements during the Medo-Persian empire who opposed the good work and the God given purpose of Nehemiah.
Three dream-killers and destiny chokers:
1. Opposition: All great ideas will be challenged by crooked minds. Nehemiah started building the walls with the permission and the provision from the king but the first rumour that the resisters spread was that he was raising a revolt against the king. Great spirit have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds” – Albert Einstein. So expect opposition but never allow the thorns of opposition puncture the tires of your mission. Nobody progresses without opposition – Mahatma Gandhi. Be Strong.
2. Derision: The greatest distraction to our progress is slander, ridicule and mockery. Nehemiah 4:1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews. The reaction of the envious, devious and outrageous will be destructive derision, disdain and disparagement. Don’t let the malign of the distracters divert you from your destiny direction and mission. Be focused.
3. Intimidation: The aggression of the destroyers did not distract Nehemiah and his team. He had deployed half the team to defend the attackers while the other half continued building. Nehemiah 4:19 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armour. Smile. It intimidates those who wish to destroy you. Philippians 1:28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. Don’t let the intimidators derail you. Be bold.
Like the roots of an oak tree that grows deeper and stronger in the midst of a violent storm, our passion and purpose must be strengthened in the midst of the distracting force of opposition, derision and intimidation.
Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that the thorns of distraction will never derail me from the purpose which you have planted in my heart. Make me to grow through the storms of opposition and become fruitful and useful to your kingdom. Amen
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