{"id":6147,"date":"2018-12-19T15:57:01","date_gmt":"2018-12-19T21:57:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedisciplemaker.org\/?p=6147"},"modified":"2018-12-19T15:57:01","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T21:57:01","slug":"focus-in-a-fragmented-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navpress.com\/sites\/thedisciplemaker\/2018\/12\/focus-in-a-fragmented-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus in a Fragmented World"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

Pastors often live fragmented and cluttered lives. Everyone has an agenda for them\u2014so many needs, so many opportunities, so many meetings, so many telephone calls, so many demands pulling them in so many different ways. Paul was familiar with the complexities involved in a pastor\u2019s calling, but he still insisted on simplicity.
\nI once read a story in which a man described his venture into carpentry. One sentence hit close to home. He wrote, \u201cI made up for my lack of skill by using a lot of nails.\u201d When I read that I thought, Oh, so that\u2019s what I\u2019m doing\u2014using a lot of nails.
\n\"\"
\nEvery pastor needs continuous help keeping down the pastoral clutter. But it\u2019s not enough just to houseclean. Throwing things out and hauling them away is helpful, but it isn\u2019t essential.
\nThe Answer for Pastors and Christians Alike<\/strong>
\nPaul lived in a fragmented world, but he himself wasn\u2019t fragmented. He lived with clutter all around him, but he himself wasn\u2019t cluttered. The way he uncluttered his life and unified the fragments was to focus on the essentials. And as he concludes his letter to the Ephesians, he shares those essentials with us: God\u2019s Word and prayer.
\nThat\u2019s what gave him focus in a fragmented world, and it\u2019s what will give us focus as well. That\u2019s what uncluttered his life, and it\u2019s what will unclutter ours.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be prepared. You\u2019re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it\u2019s all over but the shouting you\u2019ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You\u2019ll need them throughout your life. God\u2019s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other\u2019s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.<\/em>
\nEphesians 6:13-18, The Message<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>For Reflection<\/strong>
\nHow do you apply truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation to your faith life? What makes these more than mere words for you?<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

You have been reading an insight into Scripture found in The Message Devotional Bible<\/em><\/a>, a special edition filled with reflections and notes from Eugene H. Peterson. This devotional Bible will both comfort and instruct you with insights and encouragement. Read an extended excerpt from the book of John here<\/a>.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pastors often live fragmented and cluttered lives. Everyone has an agenda for them\u2014so many needs, so many opportunities, so many meetings, so many telephone calls, so many demands pulling them in so many different ways. Paul was familiar with the … <\/p>\n

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