Vision Is Vital

Vision Is Vital

Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

Proverbs 29:18

Vision is vital to Christian living. Those who grew up memorizing the King James Version of the Bible remember this verse translated as, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” According to Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon, the word revelation (vision) means “to mentally perceive; to contemplate.” The word translated restraint or perish is translated other places in the Old Testament as “to go back.” We see this in Numbers 14:3 (NIV) when those wandering in the wilderness wanted to “go back” to Egypt. Thus, those who have no vision, no perception of what they could be, seem to have no real direction in their Christian pilgrimage.

Vision is vital. Soon after the completion of Disney World in Orlando, someone asked Michael Vance, the creative director, “Isn’t it too bad Walt Disney did not live to see this?” Vance quickly replied, “He did see it, and that is precisely why we are here today!” If this is true for secular organizations, how much more vital is vision for those of us who are seeking to be followers of Christ, the greatest visionary who ever lived?

Before every great undertaking, there is someone who has a vision for the task ahead. The football coach has a game plan before the kickoff, a vision of what he wants his team to accomplish. The army commander or platoon leader sees the infantry’s strategy, a battle plan, before the fighting ever begins. The artist has a conception in his or her mind before the painting is put on the canvas. What a difference vision makes in life. Too many Christians are just going to meetings, following schedules, simply existing— and something is missing. Vision, a perception of what God wants us to be and do, is vital. When a believer discovers God’s vision for life, that vision will do five things.

VISION BRINGS DEFINITION

When we truly capture the vision of what God wants us to be and do, that vision serves to define our task. Many go so far as to formulate a one-sentence vision statement for their lives. This becomes the lens through which they view their choices and make their decisions. Churches need vision statements. For example, one church has a vision statement that says they are making “a great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.” Thus, church leaders keep their ministries in perspective by filtering them through the lens that serves as a reminder that if something does not lend itself to loving God, loving others, and leading men and women to saving faith in Jesus Christ, it does not make their priority list. Vision brings definition; it defines our decisions.

VISION BRINGS DESIGN

This design is seen in the way vision is accomplished. The birth of a vision is like the birth of a baby. The first step is conception. This takes place when a seed of what God wants us to be is planted in our hearts by the Lord Himself. The next state is gestation. Here we “gestate” the vision, think about it, and pray over it for a period of time. After a while those close to us see that something is happening, that we are pregnant with a vision. Next comes the birth: the vision is born and is out there for all to see. Then comes the most important step for leaders, the stage of adoption. Here the vision, which has not been personally conceived or gestated, much less born to them, is adopted by others and, by all rights, belongs to them. Leaders know the next stage is growth. Growing kids cost money and time, and so do growing visions. Next follows maturity when all that we have dreamed of and prayed for reaches maturity. Finally there comes the stage of reproduction, when previous visions are reproduced into newer and more expanded visions, and the dream goes on. Vision brings design to life.

VISION BRINGS DYNAMIC

Not much really happens without a vision. Dynamics and motivation are lacking. Nothing was happening in Jerusalem until Nehemiah’s vision took on definition and design. Then it brought a new dynamic as he returned to become the rebuilder of the broken walls. Vision is what brings a dynamic and a sense of conquest to our work and witness as believers.

VISION BRINGS DIRECTION

One of the most important things a personal vision can bring is direction to our lives. “Where are you headed?” is a valid question. When a personal vision is guiding our lives, bringing a new sense of dynamic, it will also bring a new sense of purpose and direction.

VISON BRINGS DEPENDENCE

One of the spiritually beneficial things that vision brings to a life is a new sense of dependence upon the Lord. Visions should be so God-sized that there is no way for them to be accomplished unless God intervenes.

The Lord doesn’t see us for what we are now. When He first met Simon Peter, He saw the fisherman as a small pebble. However, Jesus then said that Peter would become a great rock. It was an effective play on words. Christ saw the potential that was within Peter. God sees us not so much for what we are now but for what we could be—if, that is, we receive a vision from Him for the work at hand. Vision brings definition, design, dynamic, direction, and dependence: “Where there is no revelation (no vision of what God wants us to be and do), the people cast off restraint (they go back).”

As you memorize this verse this week, meditate on the fact that the birth of a vision does not just happen. It must be conceived in the secret place alone with God, then gestated— prayed over and contemplated upon—until it is birthed. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Develop your own vision of what it is God wants you to be and do. It will begin when it is conceived in the secret place with Him. Then, after a period of spiritual gestation, it will be birthed!