“ Where There Is No Vision, The People Perish” – Proverbs 29:18
Introduction
Do You Have A Vision? Webster defines the word “Vision” in these ways:
- The act or power of seeing.
- Unusual foresight.
- Something seen in or as if in a dream or trance.
- A vivid imaginative conception.
- Something of extraordinary beauty.
Now, let me ask you another question…what is your vision? It’s only natural that we, being in relationship to God, should be the type of people that possess the act or power of seeing, or have unusual foresight, or be able to concept or fashion the future through a vivid imagination.
Everybody Has A Vision
I was told many years ago by an evangelist that every Christian has or should have a vision. He also said that you should never share your vision with smallminded individuals that do not walk in faith because their minds cannot contain what God has spoken into your life. (God speaks those things that are not, as though they were) Hebrews 4:17
If you really think about the reality of Hebrews 4:17, God has been doing that very thing ever since we gave our hearts to Him. Why not make a list of things that God has spoken to you before they actually came true. You may be surprised at the depth of His love over you. It actually does abound.
My Vision
God gave me a vision years ago in the form of a dream. I saw myself standing in a high tower…actually a “Top of the World” restaurant, preaching to a group of people who were terribly frightened because of a violent tornado that was about to crash into the all glass building.
Opposition
When I sought to share this vision… that the tornado was the judgment of God upon the world and that I was standing in the gap, just before its destruction, as a messenger, calling back the lost and fearful to God, people just laughed and said I must have been mistaken or that it was a nightmare, not a vision from God. My vision was too big for their little minds. They could not see with the eyes of faith.
I remember also when God put on my heart to form the Fellowship of Christian Poets. Many around me said, why do you want to do that? Poetry doesn’t sell.
They could not see the ministerial value of the gifting that I possessed. My wife, Marilyn, was the only one who supported me and joined me in the effort to live out the vision that replayed over and over in my spirit.
I have indeed heard from God through His Holy Spirit and have dedicated my life, my future, my wealth and gifting to its fulfillment. It is this vision that keeps me going and always striving to be all that I can be, to the glory of Jesus. When tough times come knocking at my door…when trials and tribulations fling their fiery darts…when people around me laugh, it is the vision that God laid upon my heart that keeps me hanging on and going on unto victory.
Different Visions
I believe we all have different visions that actually shape our destinies. I also believe that many of us have the same vision. That’s why you see some churches that focus more on evangelism that do others…and others that excel in Biblical teaching, more so than some others. Look at all the different ministries: Elderly, Youth, Evangelism, Counseling, Unwed mothers, Prison, and on and on. They are people with the same vision doing the same thing as a group. This is of the Lord and it is marvelous.
The Fellowship of Christian Poets is like that…people of like mind, with the same vision…to see their gifting used of God to bless others. Our reason to exist is to fulfill the vision from God. All who join see that vision and agree with its premise. Together we stand and labor together for the Lord.
Your Vision
Again I ask…Do you have a vision? What is it? What have you done to capture the vision and live it out? Have you ever written it down and shared it with others? Remember, faith without works is dead. Living out your vision is being a doer of the Word and not just a hearer.
Living Out The Vision
It’s time to acknowledge what God has dropped into your spirit. It’s time to live out the vision in this life, thereby bringing into existence what God said that has not yet happened but will in due time. This is the Word made flesh…the Word becoming alive in you as you grasp it and take hold of it by faith.
Let us all seek the Lord for revelation so we can see the vision and make it happen in our everyday lives.
Until next time
Rev John Marinelli