Chasing Turkeys

So I got up yesterday morning and Herman (the turkey) was back.  For those who don’t understand–let me explain.  On Saturday Lucretia informed me that she had seen a giant turkey in our yard…I wasn’t sure if she really had…or if being pregnant had caused her to crave turkey and this thing she had seen was wishful thinking.  Anyway…

On Sunday she came into my study at home and informed me that the turkey was back…and so I went to take a look and there he was.  I went to get my camera…but when I went outside he took off.

Yesterday after I had my quiet time I walked into our bedroom and jokingly asked ‘Cretia, “Is Herman (this is what I named the turkey) back?”  She said, “Yep–he has been gobbling just a little.”  I looked outside and there he was…I guess he is fascinated with our yard.  I ran and grabbed my camera again…and this time I did snap a picture.  (I will post it as soon as one of our wonderful geeks will show me how!)

After the excitement that Herman created I went down in the basement to hop on the treadmill…but I took the camera with me so that, just in case Herman decided to come near the window, I could get a better snapshot of him.

When I looked out the window–there he was…just walking around the yard.  I knew I needed to workout, but I could not stop staring at this stupid turkey…and then it hit me like a ton of bricks, “Hey Perry…get on with what you came down here for and stop chasing turkeys.”

WOW…that floored me.  Because, for me, in that moment, it meant so much more than what was going on outside with Herman.  I honestly believe that God ordained that moment to communicate something to me that some of my friends have been trying to tell me for a long time…to not waste time chasing things that are meaningless.

Are there things in your life that you are chasing that are meaningless?  Is there anything that has your attention that is keeping your eye off of the main thing?

For me it was the way I deal with critics and skeptics.  There is something in me that, every time someone says a negative, critical word about me and/or the church I feel the need to lash out–to defend what we are doing…to try and change the person’s mind.  AND…after seven years of “chasing turkey’s” I am finally confessing that I just can’t do it anymore.

NO…I am NOT going to quit what I am doing; in fact, I am about to get more serious about this church and the vision that God has given me than I ever have.  He laid something on my heart to begin to pray for on Saturday morning…and in order for this to happen I can’t chase turkey’s…I’ve got to stay focused.

Now I am not talking about people who have genuine questions about our church…what I am talking about are blogs and such…people who do not know me personally and that have never attended our church, yet still feel a need to critique what is going on here.  In the past they have gotten my attention–but no more.  I can’t–it’s not worth my time–and it takes away from me trying to be focused on what God has placed me on this planet to do.

I would ask for your prayers in this area of my life.  It is so hard to not chase turkeys…to not fight…to not go after people who attack what is so near and dear to my heart.  But…there are thousands of people in the upstate that need to meet Jesus…and if given the choice between them or turkey’s…the turkey’s lose every time.

NewSpring–our best days are ahead!  I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next.

(I will be doing a post later on this week OR early next week about some things I have learned in dealing with critics…and some steps I have taken in order to guard myself.)