Hebron Christian Faith Church - Teaching
Welcome to the Pastor’s Pen, a personal teaching that brings you up-to-date messages from the Pastor’s heart concerning God’s unfolding word ‘in season’ for our church. These are additional, bite-sized extras to our regular, more in-depth Sunday teaching series.
Pastor’s Pen
October 2008
A Vision of Excellence
"Write the vision and make it plain on tablets that he may run who reads it. For the vision is for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie....the just shall live by faith." Hab 2:2-4
Everyone ends up somewhere but few end up there on purpose. These are the ones with vision and the faith to follow through their dreams. God often talks in dreams and visions, He gives us spiritual insight, revelation to "see" something with the eyes of our heart so that we will reach and plan wisely for it by faith. The lady with an issue of blood carried within her a vision of her healing "for she said, 'if only I may touch His clothes I shall be made well'" (Mk 5:28). Abraham received a picture, an invisible photograph of his many generations of children and it changed the way he spoke. Joseph received a picture of his future and it changed his focus. Jesus had a vision of His resurrection and it provided the strength to endure the cross. Vision produces victory. In fact it plays such a critical role in our lives that without it, God says many are perishing, not living triumphant lives (Prov 29:18).
Every great miracle and blessing begins with a vision/dream but even then, its fulfillment is not inevitable, only a possibility. Our pursuit and protection of that dream, fuelled by our faith, determines it fulfillment. That's why Habakkuk encourages us to stay in faith "though it tarries, wait for it because it will surely come". The upright live by faith in the vision. It doesn't just say that they have faith but that they live by faith. In other words, there is some action. The proof of faith is revealed in the pursuit of the 'unseen'.
As I recall the God-given vision that Hebron has faithfully pursued these last 2 years, like many other visions God gives, it, at times, seemed ludicrous and impossible that this ministry would ever be a wondrous (miraculous) sign and renown for a spirit of excellence. Of course we have not by any means 'arrived' but we are on the verge of the completion of our new building, and those who have followed our journey, know that it has been nothing short of miraculous. To God be all the glory! For so long we have walked by faith in the vision while 'in the natural' it seemed as if nothing was happening. Like Habakkuk says "but at the end it will speak". We can face times when it appears like nothing is happening, but I assure you, genuine faith always draws God's attention and it is working. Faith always stimulates incredible favour from God thogh it may not always be seen until "at the end". Even if it appears that a vision was fulfilled in a moment of time (like Joseph), actually vision is always unfolding and the apparent instant fulfillment was simply "at the end" of a lengthy walk of faith.
The reality for us is that we are far from being "at the end" - we've barely started! It is vital however, that we remain faithful to our heavenly vision and don't slack off. Remember excellence is a journey not a destination,a process not an event. It comes as a result of being continually pursued (Prov 22:29). It is becoming like God. He is an excellent God and has given us His excellent Spirit. As others see excellence in us, they see God. Excellence is what God promotes and is what separates and distinguishes us from the mediocre. It causes us to be noticed, to stand out - a sign. We're called to be different not 'blend in'. Daniel "distinguished himself" and was promoted by the king because of his excellence (Dan 6:3). His jealous adversaries could find no charge against him. Now that's excellence!!
Excellence - the desire to be like God and to honour God - should drive any Christian. A "that's good enough" attitude is not fitting for the Great King, the Lord of Hosts whom we serve and represent. When we move into the new building God has so graciously provided, let us continue to honour Him by reaching for excellence, to be better today than yesterday, to give Him our best, to rid ourselves of all sloppiness, shabbiness and mediocricty. Let us be people of integrity who keep our word at all costs, are on time and well presented as ambassadors of Christ. Above all let us be faithful and diligent in our workplaces and especially the house of God. Be attentive and notice what many others don't. Give attention to details. God is not unfaithful to forget anything we may do to honour Him, He has promised to honour those who honour Him.
