Define and Maintain Your Vision

Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." (KJV)

When it comes to vision, we've all heard the old cliche..."Aim at nothing and you will hit it." But the other day, a friend described a recent experience she had with a different kind of error in approach to vision..."Ready...FIRE...aim."

So where is the balance? Certainly God opens doors no man can shut and shuts doors no man can open...But, isn't it also true that God calls us to participate in life? To involve him in our day to day decisions?

The truth is, when we aim at nothing, have no dreams, never involve God for our future...we meander through life feeling unfulfilled, apathetic, and unfruitful. I know...because I've done this in my own life...I've been guilty of simply getting the next thing done, until I felt an overwhelming sense urging me...something hads to change...and couldn't continue living without purpose.

I've also been guilty of the concept my friend alluded to...the "ready...FIRE...aim syndrome". I anxiously pursued lofty dreams without calculating the cost. I've filled my life with busy activity only to realize how I thought God's vision would look was completely different and had to realign.

Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." (NIV)

And Proverbs 3:5-6 offers us the heart when defining our vision, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)

Here are three simple helpful hints to define and maintain our vision:

1. The heart of defining our vision must originate with God. A simple prayer that works every time is, Lord, help. Show me what you want for my life. And then pay attention because God is about to answer. He uses the word of God to communicate. As you read scripture He causes verses to stand out and move our thoughts and emotions. He'll uses people to confirm our gifts so pay attention to the affirmations people give concerning your gifts. He also uses our circumstances (opening and closing doors of opportunity). No need to get frustrated by a closed door...I thank God for the closed doors that kept me from experiencing pain and the ones that may have distracted me from maintaining my first love for Him...God's ways are truly higher and greater than my own.
2. The heart of defining our vision must realign with God. One of the greatest truths I'm learning is that my vision must be submitted back to God daily. My experiences have taught me that things change. God doesn't always reveal each step from A to Z. Yet...a God-given vision will remain consistent. God called me to do the work of an evangelist...to bind up the broken-hearted...to empower and equip believers for ministry. That mission...that vision doesn't change...I KNOW my purpose. However, the means, the modes, and the methods of walking that out has varied and changed over the years.
3. Finally, the heart of defining our vision must reside and stay consistent with God. I am so grateful for God's grace. When I make mistakes, He lovingly corrects. When I ignore...He pursues me with discipline to get my attention. The key to success is not measuring it by outcome but by obedience. We may NOT ALWAYS experience the FULL FRUITION of God's promise but by aligning our hearts each day with His Word, by filling our soul and mind with His character...we cannot fail. Our intimate relationship with God helps prevent disaster by our own doing.

Friend, without vision the people perish, without God's revelation we would all be in ruin...let's take time today to define our vision (our mission) and then submit our lives completely to God and realign our lives to maintain that mission.

PRAYER: Father fill us with wisdom. Direct our steps. And, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make it clear. In Jesus name, amen.

For further reading:
If you'd like more practical advice to discovering your purpose visit one of my more recent blogs at: http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2011/04/do-your-shoes-need-switching.html

If you are frustrated by your current circumstance or wearied by waiting visit: http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2011/04/little-at-time.html