Singlemindedness
One of the topics that I want to spend some time exploring in this blog over the next while is doublemindedness. There is so much said about it in Scripture and it is a significant hinderance in our devotion to God. One that I have dealt with myself.
I thought I would start that discussion today but something happened this week that changed my mind. I found out in church last Sunday that John Stott died on July 27th. He was a very influential evangelical of the 20th century (and the author I quoted in my Oct. 18 blog.)
I was googling him yesterday and two things I read about him in Christianity Today stood out to me:
"Stott's ability to focus on completing God's work in a specific area and then move to the next without shortchanging previous work was just amazing. His influence on African pastors was unparalleled, but I am always amazed when I hear of his other work and remember, that was just Africa."
from http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/augustweb-only/globalreactionsstottdeath.html
"As I read the manuscripts for these books, one thing—or more precisely, one pair of things—struck me repeatedly: Stott's discernment and discipline. John Stott's enormous influence on evangelicalism, in England, America, and around the globe, was possible because he prayerfully discerned what God wanted him to do (and not to do), and then he focused on those things (and disciplined himself not to do many other good things)."
from http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/march/johnstott.html
These two quotes give us a picture of a man who was singleminded - focused, discerning, disciplined - and the fruit of his life is significant. How do we get this kind of singlemindedness?
Psalm 86:11
11 Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name."
I thought I would start that discussion today but something happened this week that changed my mind. I found out in church last Sunday that John Stott died on July 27th. He was a very influential evangelical of the 20th century (and the author I quoted in my Oct. 18 blog.)
I was googling him yesterday and two things I read about him in Christianity Today stood out to me:
"Stott's ability to focus on completing God's work in a specific area and then move to the next without shortchanging previous work was just amazing. His influence on African pastors was unparalleled, but I am always amazed when I hear of his other work and remember, that was just Africa."
from http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/augustweb-only/globalreactionsstottdeath.html
"As I read the manuscripts for these books, one thing—or more precisely, one pair of things—struck me repeatedly: Stott's discernment and discipline. John Stott's enormous influence on evangelicalism, in England, America, and around the globe, was possible because he prayerfully discerned what God wanted him to do (and not to do), and then he focused on those things (and disciplined himself not to do many other good things)."
from http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/march/johnstott.html
These two quotes give us a picture of a man who was singleminded - focused, discerning, disciplined - and the fruit of his life is significant. How do we get this kind of singlemindedness?
Psalm 86:11
11 Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name."
This is another really thought-provoking blog, Tracy. These are great quotes about Stott and make me think of the Serenity prayer ("God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
ReplyDeleteCourage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference"). It is so important to be singleminded - a real key to fruitfulness. I look forward to reading your entries on this topic!
I had no idea John Stott had died do I am also grateful to you for passing on that piece of news.
Thanks, Anna. I had no idea he had died until the priest spoke about it in her sermon on Sunday at St. Margaret's. Thanks for all your encouraging words!
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