Vision
The Bible speaks of the importance of vision in Proverbs 29:18. Without a vision, the people perish. Vision is divine communication from God that requires a response (eg., taking the next step) with the new revelation we have received. Even more important to understand is the outcome for not having a vision, to perish. Perish comes from the Greek word, apollumi, which means to be cut off entirely, caused to be lost (utterly destroyed) by experiencing a miserable end. This is why seeking God for His vision and will are critical to the overall success of our lives.
Vision provides focus, direction, and strategy needed to execute and fulfill the plans that God had for us before we were formed (Jeremiah 29:11). Without vision, we cannot achieve our purpose.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Vision Should...
Stretch you! Anything that you can complete in your own strength is not big enough. Divine visions from God will always require you to lean on His strength in addition to your obedient execution. Remember that when we commit our actions to God our plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).
Require you to address your limitations, comfort, and your own resistance to change. You will face resistance while working to increase your capacity. It is critical to complete an objective examination of yourself in order to develop a strategic battle plan to help you overcome external and internal barriers.
Make you count the cost. Cost is defined as the loss or penalty incurred especially when you are gaining something. In Luke 14, Jesus speaks about the importance of counting the cost when following Him. He discusses the importance of counting the cost before making the commitment to follow Him (v. 28). “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? (Luke 14:28 NLT).
This word build in the Greek means to build something or someone up as the dwelling place for God. Because we know that we cannot fulfill the vision that God has for us on our own, we must count the cost truthfully in order to wholeheartedly commit to what God has called us to do.
Too often we tell God that we want the vision without being fully committed and submitted to Him, His plans, or His ways. This is dangerous! In Ecclesiastes 5:4-6, King Solomon discusses the danger of making a vow to God without having the intention of following through.
When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved. ~Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 NLT
Questions To Consider
As we prepare to write the vision, we must really decide if we are willing to lose the false comfort of complacency in order to fulfill the call that God has on our lives. Are you willing to part with comfort, excuses, old habits, limiting mindsets, and anything else that separates you from the vision God has for your life?
Nearsighted
Our inability to see beyond our current circumstances. When we are nearsighted it can feel as if the walls are caving in and relief seems impossible. The debt is too large, the fear is too paralyzing, and deliverance feels impossible. Being nearsighted leads to us limiting dreams, hopes, and expectations because our circumstances do not seem to align with what God is calling us to do.
Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great. ”But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. ~Genesis 15:1-6 NLT
Farsighted
Our inability to focus on and value our current circumstances. When we are farsighted we find ourselves with this insatiable appetite for the next. We are always so focused on the next accomplishment, next degree, next business that we neglect our current responsibilities.
“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. ~Genesis 3:5-6 NLT
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ~James 4:7 NIV
Submission
Submission to God positions us in a place of humility, and provides us with access to His power. Submission is coming under God’s plan, will, and arrangement for your life. Submission comes from the Greek word that refers to how a military general arranges soldiers in the best order to accomplish the strategic objective in order to execute a mission. This is why we cannot create vision without consulting the one who knew you and the plans He had for you before you were even formed in your mother’s womb.
Jesus is not inferior to God because he is God. Submission is simply divine prioritization and commitment to fulfill God’s intended design for our lives (eg., purpose). We are given the privilege to partner with God and to be used by God. This partnership results in us having access to his divine power, his protection, and provision. It is through that power that we are given the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all of the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19).
How To Utilize Your Vision: Feed Your Faith
Everyday will not be easy. During your quiet time with God take 5-10 minutes to review the vision. This will serve as a reminder of what you are working toward and the promises God has made to you. Put your vision on a sticky note, utilize it to make a vision board, write it out daily. The goal is for it to remain at the forefront of your mind and for you to interact with it daily.
How To Utilize Your Vision: Fix Your Focus
Distraction is one of the biggest enemies to vision. The minute you take your eyes off of what God has called you to, you can find yourself in a position where you have wasted time, money, and energy. Utilize your vision to fix your focus and to help with strategy and decision making. All of the tasks, priorities, and objectives you develop should connect to your vision. Your daily tasks are just bite-sized pieces of your vision.
Prioritization Is Key
Anything that does not align with the vision that God has given you is not a priority! Be aware that the enemy will send distractions that look good but are not from God.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ~1 Peter 5:8 NLT
Homework
- Pray, fast, and intentionally seek God regarding His vision for your life as a whole. How is God going to use your gifts and talents to fulfill His purpose for your life outlined in Matthew 28:19-20.
- Seek God about the five major domains of your life (faith, family/friends, finance, fitness, and future) and ask God for vision and specific instructions regarding each individual area.
- Identify your heart’s desires in each of the domains. Think and dream big in this. There are no limitations. Share your desires with God in your quiet time.