“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
(Proverbs 29:18 KJV)
If you’ve been following along, these past couple of weeks we talked about core values and purpose statements. Now that we have our values in check and have built our personal purpose statement, the next step is to cast a vision for where you want to get to in life. Where do you see yourself in 10 years, 20, 30? What do you want to accomplish? What will be your legacy? Will it have any eternal rewards or is it all temporary? Will it be a blessing for many, or will it be all about you? Your values and purpose are directly connected with your vision.
Vision and goals are not the same. Goals are created by self and limited to what self can do. Vision comes from God and it will take faith and courage to pursue it. The meaning of vision is simply “to see”. But when speaking about vision in today’s context we are looking beyond what we can see in front of us to that which is unseen.
What is seen is always practical; it is familiar territory, safe, and for the most part comfortable and predictable. But this is where life can become monotonous and lose its sense of adventure, meaning and fulfillment. The majority of people in the world live in this realm. What is unseen takes faith and courage. To step out and do something different is always uncomfortable. Why? Because it is unpredictable. As humans we need to know where we are going or what the outcome will be. Because of this, our vision is hindered, and we never really step out in faith.
The new life in Christ has everything to do with faith, trust and vision. The new life in Christ battles against the fleshly desires of vanity, power, pride, the love for money and sensual pleasures, worry, fear and being in control; all of which cloud our vision.
Life in Christ is abundant (Jn 10:10). Life in Christ is empowering (Acts 1:8). Life in Christ is victorious (Ph 4:13). Life in Christ is priceless (Ph 3:7-8). But life in Christ will cost you everything (Lk 9:23-26) and it is also unpredictable and uncomfortable (Mt 5:10-12, 24:9). That’s why we have so many who claim to be Christian yet never fully experience the abundant life that Jesus offers because our vision is still limited by the extent of our faith. Faith and vision go hand in hand. The question comes down to this: Do you trust God with your life? Or, do you trust only in yourself and your abilities?
As you cast a vision for your future don’t let your past blind you to all that God has planned for you. As Paul said, “Forgetting what is behind I press on towards the goal…” (Ph 3:13). He also goes on to say, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Ph 4:13). So go ahead, think big! Dream God-sized dreams! Slay your “Goliaths” of fear, worry and sin. Step out of the boat and walk on water! The abundant life awaits you, just place your trust in Jesus, pray and cast your vision!
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
(Proverbs 29:18 KJV)
If you’ve been following along, these past couple of weeks we talked about core values and purpose statements. Now that we have our values in check and have built our personal purpose statement, the next step is to cast a vision for where you want to get to in life. Where do you see yourself in 10 years, 20, 30? What do you want to accomplish? What will be your legacy? Will it have any eternal rewards or is it all temporary? Will it be a blessing for many, or will it be all about you? Your values and purpose are directly connected with your vision.
Vision and goals are not the same. Goals are created by self and limited to what self can do. Vision comes from God and it will take faith and courage to pursue it. The meaning of vision is simply “to see”. But when speaking about vision in today’s context we are looking beyond what we can see in front of us to that which is unseen.
What is seen is always practical; it is familiar territory, safe, and for the most part comfortable and predictable. But this is where life can become monotonous and lose its sense of adventure, meaning and fulfillment. The majority of people in the world live in this realm. What is unseen takes faith and courage. To step out and do something different is always uncomfortable. Why? Because it is unpredictable. As humans we need to know where we are going or what the outcome will be. Because of this, our vision is hindered, and we never really step out in faith.
The new life in Christ has everything to do with faith, trust and vision. The new life in Christ battles against the fleshly desires of vanity, power, pride, the love for money and sensual pleasures, worry, fear and being in control; all of which cloud our vision.
Life in Christ is abundant (Jn 10:10). Life in Christ is empowering (Acts 1:8). Life in Christ is victorious (Ph 4:13). Life in Christ is priceless (Ph 3:7-8). But life in Christ will cost you everything (Lk 9:23-26) and it is also unpredictable and uncomfortable (Mt 5:10-12, 24:9). That’s why we have so many who claim to be Christian yet never fully experience the abundant life that Jesus offers because our vision is still limited by the extent of our faith. Faith and vision go hand in hand. The question comes down to this: Do you trust God with your life? Or, do you trust only in yourself and your abilities?
As you cast a vision for your future don’t let your past blind you to all that God has planned for you. As Paul said, “Forgetting what is behind I press on towards the goal…” (Ph 3:13). He also goes on to say, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Ph 4:13). So go ahead, think big! Dream God-sized dreams! Slay your “Goliaths” of fear, worry and sin. Step out of the boat and walk on water! The abundant life awaits you, just place your trust in Jesus, pray and cast your vision!
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
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