Let us meet to gather this morning for a few moments. We want to talk about shutting the door on the distractions that hinder us from achieving our purpose. I don't know about you, but there have been some seasons in my life where I wasn't quite sure about my calling, or I wasn't even quite sure if God was calling me. I wasn't sure if God created me. I wasn't sure if I was special or if I was to do something special. I wasn't sure about doing a good work or bad work. We've talked about what Proverbs 16:3 says "commit thy works unto the Lord, and He shall establish your plans. The Lord has made everything for its purpose." Jeremiah 1:5 says, "before I formed you, I knew you." The word "knew" in Hebrew is a word that notes intimacy. God knew us intimately before he formed us in our mother's womb. This is all dealing with how God has called us, chosen us, elected us, formed us, and created us for a purpose. And there've been times in my life where, because of life, because of how life had dealt me, what I thought was a bad hand, I was confused about the call of God. Not only was I confused about the call of God, but I was also confused about my purpose in life. And when I was confused about my purpose in life, there were so many opened doors that ultimately were distractions. What I want you to understand is simply that you have to shut the door on distractions.

Nehemiah was once the cupbearer, the King of Persia. He hears news that his homeland is laid in shambles. Nehemiah had heard that the wall had been torn down. He heard the news that the people in his homeland were hopeless, that they were vulnerable and somebody needed to do something. Nehemiah encouraged the team to allow him to go back to rebuild the wall. He asked for permission, he traveled one thousand miles, but he's not traveling 1000 miles with an unclear purpose. He's traveling 1000 miles with a clear vision and a clear plan. He's traveling 1000 miles with a clear purpose. Nehemiah's faith shows that no matter what type of hell and high water you have to go through when you know that you've been called by God when you know that God has given you a purpose.

When you know that God has called you to do something special, when you know that God has called you to do a good work, you can travel 1000 miles. You can walk through hell and high water, and you will remain focused. You will remain with a clear vision. You will stick to the plan. Why? Because you know that the plan of God is going to prepare you to reach your destination and fulfill what God has in store for you. As long as you keep moving, pun intended, you will inspire people to believe in God. You've got to keep moving. But do not forget that as the work goes down, opposition heats up. Your enemy will distract you. If they cannot come up to your level, they will try to bring you down to their level, and if they cannot bring you down to their level, they will try and destroy you. If they cannot destroy you, they will try to distract you. I have said for many years that some opportunities could many times be distractions. You can do a great work. You have been called and predestined by God.