Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CABIN (09/08/22)
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TITLE: A Cabin in The Middle Of Nowhere | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
09/15/22 -
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It would not be because they do not like us, or have no concern about our welfare. It is because of the distraction-free environment that their calling requires, and a deeply rooted desire to make the best (1) of their appointed time, here on Earth.
The advancing disciple not only counts (makes best use of) the days, but the hours within each day. This is especially true for the believers who have been called to be pastor-teachers.
The primary function of a pastor-teacher is to study and to teach the Word of God (2). Twenty minutes of teaching requires many hours of study and preparation.
While both human and divine viewpoint agree that life is short, divine and human viewpoint have very different ideas about what it means to make the best of the time we do have, here on Earth. Those with human viewpoint go after all that this world has to offer, whereas those with divine viewpoint, sees such pursuits as distractions (3) from the work that God gave them to do.
Compare the human viewpoint expressed by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 8:15 in his search for meaning and purpose in life, and the divine viewpoint expressed in Mark 8: 36.
“So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry… (Eccl. 8: 15 NASB).”
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul (Mark 8: 36 NASB)?”
. . .
One of the definitions of a hermit is one who lives in solitude for religious purposes.
The opportunities for most people to secure such a dwelling, and the need to deal with the requirements and obligations that life places on us, make such a dream no more than a fantasy that is never going to happen.
Never-the-less, advancing disciples will have a strong desire for a solitary, distraction-free, place or environment (4) where they can study and privately converse with God.
During Bible study, God does the talking and the believer does the listening. During prayer, the believer does the talking and God does the listening. Effective communication requires both talking and listening.
Jesus, Moses, Old and New Testament prophets, John the Baptist, and Paul, all spent a considerable amount of time alone with God; as will any believer who desires to be a productive follower.
Some believers are fortunate enough to attend (or to otherwise connect with) a local assembly that provides them with an ongoing opportunity to be fed with the Word of God, supplemented by daily devotional times spent in their own distraction-free private place, that are conducive for study and prayer.
As a believer advances in discipleship, his or her increased desire to learn is coupled with the desire to share what he or she has learned with other people when outside of the cabin. This is what makes the life of discipleship a 24-7 lifestyle.
The desire for solitude must be for the right reasons.
There are counterproductive reasons, such as mistrust based on painful past experiences, that can motivate some to become loners.
This type of withdrawal can be counterproductive, and in some cases, destructive.
Such things as sin, poverty, mental disorders, lack of opportunity, drug and or alcohol abuse, and extreme religious and political agendas, can generate or encourage anti-social behavior.
Like salt in an ocean, solitude for the right reasons is an important element in the life of an advancing disciple.
Unless called for (5) in the individual (6) plan that God has in mind, self-induced logistical hardships often times associated with the cabin in the middle of nowhere, does not, in itself, impress God.
There is no need not to take advantage of using modern-day means of communication and logistical conveniences to accomplish the Matt. 28: 19, 20 mission, that God gave His Church (and every member of it) to do.
One’s cabin in the middle of nowhere can either be a great asset or a hindering liability in one’s personal walk with the Lord.
In closing, ask and answer the following question.
Is your cabin contributing to, or taking you away from, being the person God wants you to be, and doing the work that God gave you to do.
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(1) Psalms 90: 12 (2) 2Tim. 2: 15 (3) Mark 4: 19 (4) Matt. 6: 6 (5) Luke 18: 22 (6) 1Cor. 12.11, 18
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Excellent message and loved all of the scriptures.
God Bless~
Great writing. Thank you.