Border Bullies

As Bruce Wilkinson points out in His book The DreamGiver, whenever you set out to journey on the Road Less Traveled....there will always be BORDER BULLIES...people who try to stop you in your tracks and keep you from continuing on the narrow way. It is always disheartening when this happens, especially since more often than not, the border bullies are usually those you love and respect most and who love you the most. The people you go to for advice and counsel. The people you look to share your dreams with and for them to be excited and encouraging. Usually in their questioning and challenging, they have the best intentions in mind are only want you to truly think through your planning.

Well, we met our first border bully....and though it was a bit disheartening and frustrating....we are using this as an opportunity grow in our faith and know how to answer the other border bullies that will come upon us. This opposition or challenge is exciting because it truly has only made me more convinced, more prepared, more excited, and sure of the calling and the hope that I have. "Yahweh's gracious gifts and calling are IRREVOCABLE!" Romans 11:29 And now after processing the questions and arguments that the challenger presented, I understand just how gracious and irrevocable Elohiym's calling and gifts are! The Holy Spirit has illuminated my heart by His gracious Word and only deepened my trust and faith to follow where God is leading.

Bruce Wilkinson was right when Ordinary wrote in his book: "I have met Bullies in the Borderland - they were Nobodies I knew! When I left familiar, it upset the Comfort Zone of those close to me. They felt like they were losing something important. EVEN THOUGH my Bullies tried to stop me, SOME OF THEIR CONCERNS WILL HELP ME! I couldn't sway all my Bullies. In the end, I had to decide WHO I WOULD PLEASE. I CHOSE TO PLEASE THE DREAM GIVER!"

"You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not fruitless. 2 On the contrary, although we had already SUFFERED and been outraged in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage, united with our God, to tell you the Good News EVEN UNDER GREAT PRESSURE. 3 For the appeal we make does not flow from error or from impure motives, neither do we try to trick people. 4 Instead, since God has tested us and found us fit to be entrusted with Good News, this is how we speak: NOT TO WIN FAVOR WITH PEOPLE BUT WITH GOD, who tests our hearts. 5 For, as you know, never did we employ flattering talk, nor did we put on a false front to mask greed - God is witness. 6 NOR DID WE SEEK HUMAN PRAISE - either from you or from others. 7 As emissaries of the Messiah, we could have made our weight felt; but instead, we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother feeding and caring for her children. 8 We were so devoted to you that we were glad to share with you not only God's Good News but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8