Naomi Mohr
This Month's Feature Article
How Is Your Vision?
Is it possible for an elephant to be chained by a bicycle chain? No, you might say - but
I am told that a circus trainer can tell us the secret of how it is possible to restrain a full grown elephant with just an ordinary bicycle chain.
It begins when the elephant is just a baby and the trainer uses the simple chain to tie him to a stake in the ground. From time to time the baby elephant tries to break away but is not strong enough to free himself.
In time the elephant grows larger and much stronger - but he is still able to be restrained by that small bicycle chain. Why? Because the memory of that chain as a
small elephant is powerful enough to keep him there.
I wonder if there are things in your life and mine that have us "chained". Maybe there are childhood fears or painful memories. Perhaps there are put-downs, habits, guilt, and failures that keep haunting you. Or that bitter rejection and betrayal that chain you to the past.
You've tried to change - tried to let go and forgive - but you have come to believe there is no possibility that things can really change. After many defeats and failures you've just decided to
give up. In essence that little "bicycle chain" has conquered you.
Maybe it is a divorce, or the death of a loved one.
The ache is constant, and the struggle is overwhelming.
How can you go on?
It has been a number of years since I went through a major crisis in my life. My mom, Violette Walseth, had not been feeling well. We thought it was the flu. After a doctor visit, some blood work and a CT scan it was learned that there was a mass in the colon. The next day she had surgery for colon cancer and in 8 days she was in Heaven.
The shock was overwhelming - and the pain more intense then I can relate. Mom was a dedicated Christian, who lived her whole life for Jesus. I know she is in Heaven, but the loss is great and it's taken some time to begin to heal and move on!
When mom went to Heaven - I wanted to go too!
She was my mentor, friend, helped with our conferences, and consistently prayed for me and
the ministry God has given us. I sincerely thought that she would be alive until Jesus came to meet us in the air. She was only 79 - quite young by today's standards.
I didn't want to think about life without her. Yet God urged me to look ahead - to find a
new vision and I slowly began to agree with Him!
The Bible says "Without a vision the people perish." Proverbs 29:18 There is good news!
No matter where we are in life - what
failures,
what painful things we go through,
God wants to give us a fresh vision for our
lives!
Many years ago I had a decision to make. I was a single mom, with two small children. My son was 4 months old and my daughter 2 years old when my marriage disintegrated. It took me 1 1/2 years to put my life back in God's hands. Now - how was I going to live my life?
Was I going to cling to the past - feel sorry for myself - or search
for a new vision for my life!
It was very difficult to put away the "old picture" of my life and begin to look at the "new picture" God wanted to create.
Gradually I began to allow God to rebuild my self-esteem and heal my broken heart. Then one day
I found a scripture that gave me hope and helped me break away from the "chains" that held me
.
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time. But at the end it will speak, and
it will not lie. Though it
tarries - wait for it!
Because it will surely come. It will not tarry." Habakkuk
2:3
I wanted to make my life count for Jesus Christ, but was there a place for me in God's plan?
The exciting truth is that he has a plan - a vision - for each one of us!
It is God's job to widen the
Scope of that message!
As time went on and I paid attention to what God was teaching me, God began to show me that regardless of my past failures He still had a wonderful plan, a fresh vision for my life!
"Banish the Past, Live in the Present!"
Those words helped me to move into the next phase of God's vision for my life. It was a wise choice, and now I look forward to each day with new anticipation and excitement about the future!
Will you make the decision to break away from the "chains" that have held you captive? Will you join me in trusting God for your future? Can you put away the painful memories, forgive those who have hurt you, and allow God to give you a fresh vision for your life?
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for your watchful care over my life. I know you are aware of the difficult events in my life, and you care deeply about me.
Right now I decide to forgive all those who have hurt me, mistreated me, and misunderstood me. I release the pain of the past and allow you Jesus to come in,
heal my heart, restore myjoy and give me total freedom from the things that have "chained" me.
I know I can trust you for the future and I purpose to cooperate with
you and fulfill the newvision YOU have for my life!
Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen!
________________________________________________________________
If you are not certain that you are a Christian please e-mail me at nomimohr@aol.com
and I will be happy to pray with you and send you some more information.
At Mohr Ministries we have a vision! To touch women and men for Jesus Christ. Our
desire is that you find and fulfill the exciting plan He has for your life. Developing your
gifts and finding a place of service will be the most exciting discovery of your life.
Questions or comments?? You can reach us at
Joyfully Serving Jesus! Naomi