Focus: Do Not Settle For Less!

Text: Gen.11:31

"And Terah TOOK Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and DWELT there."

God appeared to Abraham and told him to leave his land of nativity for a new territory - the land of Canaan, to be precise.

But from our text it appears Terah, Abraham's father became the driver of the vision instead of Abraham. He didn't see the vision, and it's obvious he didn't encounter God for himself. Why drive a vision you didn't see? Why lead others into a vision you know nothing about? Why take over another man's vision without catching and understanding it?

Vision begets motivation. The vision of a man is his driving force. Terah had desire, but no vision. He had good intention, but no motor. He lacked a sense of direction.

This is truly an example of a man leading without the force, inspiration, and motivation of vision.

From our text, they actually set out to go into the land of Canaan, which was the divine destination, but they fell short of it. The reason being that he didn't see the need to continue. The journey wasn't making sense anymore. He lost courage, motor, nerve or verve.

How can a visionary allow himself to be led by the visionless?

Our text says they got to Haran and dwelt there. The word DWELT in Hebrew means to unpack your bags, to settle down as someone who has arrived, and who has become a resident or citizen. It doesn't mean to lodge temporarily, but to settle or reside permanently.

They set out for Canaan but settled in Haran. The goal was aborted and the destination suffered a miscarriage. They simply settled for less.

The journey was restarted by Abraham only after Terah had died. I believe God has a way of removing every obstacle to your dream or vision. Paul says, "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision" - Act.26:19.

Don't lead a vision you didn't see, nor let someone lead you who didn't see your vision. Otherwise, you will end up somewhere else other than where God originally intended for you. No one can lead a change that is not born in him first. It takes being changed to be a change agent.

I beg you in the name of the Lord, don't settle for less. Focus on reaching your God-ordained Canaan. No place is as good as where God wants you to be. Haran is not your terminus - not the endpoint of your journey, nor your final destination. Don't settle for less. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter