Destination Distraction

Discovering God’s Will
Destination Distraction
6-22-08

The basis of the sermon is that we often become so distracted by the next destination in our lives that we often fail to notice the opportunities happening right in front of us. (Examples: The next great car, job, house, or relationship). “If only I had this, or I can’t wait until that, or I’ll be happy when” … such destination distractions tend to draw our focus until they become the very point of our existence. In fact, it has been the “mantra for our generation: ‘are we there yet?”

Finding Joy in Present Circumstances

Often, we become so preoccupied with the future that we have a hard time finding joy in our present circumstances. The thing is, if you can’t live and find happiness where you are NOW, then chances are you won’t be able to live and find happiness where you’re going. Happiness and contentment are not situation or circumstance dependent. Our happiness comes from the Lord! Don’t forget that Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and is often more of a state of mind, than a question of circumstance. God is our glory and joy! (1 Thes 2:20). Paul also states in 1 Cor 7:4 “I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds” (Emphasis mine).

We have something to be excited about, so don’t look for the gratifications of the “next great thing” in your life, because once you achieve it, what’s next? The next great adventure (no relief or contentment)? You never take the time to enjoy the journey God put before you. We often imagine the future as better than now; in fact, the saying goes, “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” In truth, the grass is sometimes greener because it’s right above a septic tank!

The other thing that can happen when we live in a destination distraction is we start living life in a pause mode. Sometimes we ask God: “Is this it?” We become so distracted by life’s “what ifs” that we lose the very moments God has placed in our grasps! The moment you are in is a good moment. Let’s enjoy the season of life where we are and not be in a hurry to change things for the sake of change.

The message also focused on the story in Jeremiah (Jer 29:4-14), when the people were sent into exile to Babylon, and they were being told by prophets what they wanted to hear: that they would be set free shortly and would be returning to their home land any day now. And so, they were living as such. Any day, they will be heading out; don’t get too settled in. Jeremiah comes along and tells the people God is the one that turned them over into the situation and He will restore them, but not for 70 years, so settle down and make a life out of where you are now. What a lesson for us.

I think a lot of people view their attendance and participation in church in this manner. “I’m not sure this is the Church for me, so I’m just going to come, but I don’t want to get too involved, because that would mean I would be here to stay, but surely God has bigger plans than me serving here in this Church,” or “I can’t see myself going here very long.” I think God would tell some people it wasn’t coincidence they walked into this Church, and He’s been waiting for them to make a move. Do something!

The Journey is the Destination

It was said in the lesson that God’s chief will for our lives is the journey in which we are transformed so that we are made ready for the next season in our life. The process is the purpose itself! So, the Journey is the Destination, and if we live in the present the future will never be lacking. Don’t rush the process! Too often we are so focused on the end goal that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are, or we make short cuts in our lives. I really appreciated Brad sharing the story of his engagement to Christina, and how they wanted an additional year before getting married. They understood they would never be in that moment again, and instead of focusing on the “next great thing,” they were content to enjoy the now. Waiting is not easy … especially for something you really long for, but often the wait is well worth it.

Krista's qoute read during small group from "The Vision and the Vow:

"I was giving a friend a lift in my car, and we got to talking about life. “I don’t know what God’s calling me to do,” he confessed, and asked me to pray about what it might be. “Why?” I asked. “I already know what Jesus wants you to do!” “You do?” he gasped with excitement. “So, what is it? What’s my call?”I paused, enjoying the suspense. Drums rolled. String quartets tuned up. My friend held his breath…“Your call,” I said slowly, “is to be a worship leader…” He looked pleased, really pleased, so I continued: “… but not necessarily w/ a guitar in your and.”“Okayyy,” he murmured.“Your call is to befriend that funny little lady at the end of your street…”He seemed less pleased w/ this prospect.“Your call is to feed the hungry and to spend yourself on behalf of the poor…”By now he was looking distinctly troubled. “…and to offer hospitality to strangers who just turn up in town needing a place to crash.”Consternation.“And it’s to fast.” He was starting to look furious.“And it’s to pray so long and hard that you run out of words and tears.” There was no going back.“Your call,” I continued, “is to preach the good news of Jesus to every person who will listen and a few who won’t. Your call is to go somewhere, anywhere, wherever, whenever, for Jesus, and never stop. Your call is to love people no one else loves and to forgive them when they treat you like dirt-or worse. Do your job to the very best of your ability without grumbling about your boss or whining about your colleagues. Your call is to pray for the sick, and when they are healed to dance all night. And when they aren’t, to weep with them and love them even more.” I glanced across at him and was relieved to see that his expression was beginning to mellow.“Your call is to honor your parents, pray for your leaders, study the Scriptures, and attend plenty of parties. Be a peacemaker in every situation: when the fight breaks out on the bus home late at night and when the gossip starts to circulate at church. Your call is to pick up litter in the street when no one else is looking, to wipe the toilet seat, to pull the gum off from under the desk. It’s to get to meetings early to put out the chairs.”By now he was smiling.“Your call is to make disciples and to teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded. And don’t forget to minister grace to them when they sin. Which they will. Your mission is to baptize and to cast out evil spirits. Your call is to bind up broken hearts whenever you find them, and you will find them wherever you look. It’s to visit prisons. And hospitals. And to…”“Yeah, yeah,” he interrupted good naturedly, trying to shut me up, but I was on a roll-and I knew he couldn’t leave, because I was driving the car.“Your call,” I continued resolutely, “is to listen more that you talk and to listen with your eyes as well as your ears.”He was shaking his head in mock despair. I carried on: “It’s to do the chores again and again without grumbling. It’s to buy ethical coffee and to recycle your bottles. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to leave anonymous gifts on people’s doorsteps.”By now we were both laughing, and I was finally running out of steam: “And when you’ve done all that,” I grinned, jabbing him in the ribs at each syllable, “come back and see me, and we can spend a little time praying about Phase Two!” The problem for most of us is not that we don’t know what God wants of us. It’s that we know exactly what He wants of us, and it’s not what we want to do!”

Isn’t a gift a little more special when it is received in the proper time? Imagine someone saying, “I know your birthday isn’t for 2 months but I thought I would give you your gift today.” Timing can make a huge difference. For instance, I believe God’s timing for sex in a relationship is somewhat like a 401k. You can cash out your plan early; having that extra cash would be good, but cashing out early will have consequences and it certainly won’t be as great as if you had just waited a bit longer. There are other examples as well … (What is the difference between a good meal and a great meal? About an Hour!)

I also have an example of when I didn’t wait for something in my life that I thought would bring me happiness: In May 1996 I had just gotten back to the mainland after spending a year in Japan. I wanted a car desperately and I decided a 96 Eclipse would do the trick … would make me happy, that is. I, of course, hadn’t saved up any money, and couldn’t afford both the car AND insurance. So, a month or two in, I dropped the insurance and continued driving the car. In Feb 97, I was driving from UCLA after visiting a friend and going back to 29 palms, CA (about 3 ½ hour drive time ea way). I was going way too fast for conditions and, on the 12 lane hwy in the middle of a rain storm, a truck threw up a wall of water and completely blinded me. I pushed the brakes and slid into the truck, bounced off into a car, bounced back into the semi, and then hit a barrier, and finally came to rest in the middle of the street. The car was in really bad shape and had a flat front tire. I changed the tire and got back on the road when the hood flew up and smashed the windshield. I sank into the seat and managed to drive a hundred yards or so with my only vision coming out of a 2 inch gap between the hood and dashboard. After securing the hood and changing the tire 4 more times in the pouring rain I continued back towards base … only this time the trip took 5 ½ hours! I had to park the car off base because of its condition and continued paying out the lease. I then had to rent a u-haul and trailer to haul the car back to Washington when I got out of the military. I had a 27 ft truck to tow the trailer w/ a chest and seabag in the back of it. I finished paying out the term of the lease and then paid an additional 6 month extension before Mitsubishi demanded I either pay the car off in the amount of $6900, or turn it back in. Well, I didn’t have the money, so I turned the car back in and expected to have to pay what the car was worth … $6900 right? They came back and hit me up for damages on the car in the amount of $21,900 … ouch! I ended up paying on it until it was finally taken care of in 2004. The instant gratification of owning a car cost me roughly $41K after it was all said and done. There went the money I would have used for college, and my short term happiness turned into long term despair. I now always have insurance!

Why is it we become so preoccupied with the future? I think it basically comes down to either our want of control, or we are filled with worry. I have wondered what it would be like if we were able to know the future. We would probably try to change things about our future before it happened. The thing is, how do we know the very thing we are trying to stop or change isn’t the means by which our future will be accomplished?

I like the story line in the movie “Kung Fu Panda.” There is a vision that a bad guy is going to escape from prison; so, to make sure that doesn’t happen, the master sends a delegate to make sure everything is in place, only the actions of the delegate on the visit put into motion the means by which the convict escapes. The story of Jesus is the same way. The plans of men tried to kill him to protect their way of life, and yet their very actions led to Him being the Way!

We often think we know what would be best for our lives. I like the analogy Adam gave during the small group. People often will to listen to their ipod or a cd because they know what they like, and what they would want to hear, but sometimes, if you were to just turn the radio on, a song might come on that you don’t have in your collection -- a song that you normally wouldn’t have heard, but a song that is perfect for your particular situation, because it reminds you of a special time, or because it just perfectly fits the moment you are in. The point is to relinquish control of the remote in your life and let God dial in your radio. He knows what you need to listen to, do, and where you need to be.

The opposite of course is worry. Sometimes we suck the joy out of our lives by worrying about things we have no control over, and sometimes over things we do have a sense of control over. We are given instructions on why not to worry (Matt 6:25-34). We know that God is over all things and that should provide us with great comfort.

So, why doesn’t God let us know all things about the future? I like what the book has to say on pg 105. “The Apostle Paul alluded to this fact when saying, ‘For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known’ (1 Cor 13:12, NRSV, emphasis the authors). In fact, what if certainty has never been part of God’s desire for our lives? Because 100 percent certainty with anything in life -- finances, job, security, illness, the future -- would create the illusion that we don’t really need God after all.” If we knew everything we wouldn’t need faith, and faith in God is something he asks of us.

The Moment You Are In Is A Good Moment.

Therefore, let us take comfort in the fact God is in control, let us find joy in the moment we are in, leave the worrying to God, and make the best of the situations we are in. The only thing we can control is our worrying. Let’s not live life in a pause mode or be in a hurry, but let God use us in whatever place we find ourselves.

JPH