Vision and the Word‏

Vision and the Word

Scripture:- Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18

Observation:- This Proverb speaks of 2 things:- Vision and Obedience to God’s Word. Without vision, the people perish…. What does it mean? If the driver of a bus or the pilot of a plane or the captain of a ship lost his vision, what would happen to the passengers?. They would very likely perish together. Likewise, the success of any organization, any church, any family is vision. A father foresees that in the future, his son will need a good education to get a good job in the future, so he makes his son study and sends him to good schools. An enterprising boss foresees that his core employees today will become his key leaders tomorrow, and invests time, resources and training into them. Vision drives on an organization, a department, a church, a cell group, a family, an individual.

Vision is basically looking ahead, planning for tomorrow, striving for a better future. Without vision, people will go about life listlessly with no clear indication of what they are doing and where they are going. But with vision, comes purpose, an envisioned outcome, a clear plan.

Most of us are not leaders, but vision is still important individually. If we don’t look ahead to see how we can learn and improve ourselves, the chances are that we will regress, stagnate or even deteriorate. Vision keeps us alive and gives us hope. One of the main reasons that the Purpose Driven Life is so popular is that it defines for us a vision of where we should aim in life, to fulfill God’s five-fold purpose for us.

It is no coincidence that in the same proverb talking about vision is immediately the mention of he who obeys God’s Word. Our vision, our purpose, how we should live our life is right there in God’s Word. For those of us who follow Christ, our ultimate vision is to become like Him, more and more each day. As Paul said, to live is Christ. Christ was ever before him, his vision, his purpose for each new day. As we set Christ as our ultimate vision, he also begins to show us visions for us right where we are – in our workplace, in our families, in our personal growth. And the lesson is this - whatever our vision, it must be grounded in God’s Word. Therefore, it is important for us to read and study the Word often

In his novel series on learning to listen to God’s voice, Pastor Mark Virkler shared that there are 2 primary ways we hear God’s voice. Through Vision and the Rhema Word. I have found vision very effective in my quiet times and spiritual journaling. I would picture Jesus in my mind, perhaps in the fields, or at the well, riding on the mule or by the seaside. And that would put me in a good position to hear the Words that the Lord would say to me and write it down.

Application:-Pay attention to vision as we live life. As we pray and go about our business, see the pictures in our minds that God gives us. Commit our visions to Him. Always remain strong in reading the Word to make sure we follow the right vision. Our ultimate vision is to become like Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Be thou my vision O Lord of my life. Let my purpose, my vision always be in you. Help me see the visions You place in my heart and be obedient to serve You faithfully. In Jesus name, Amen.