Vision: Formation and Development

A vision is often born out of a concern that something is not as it should be and someone should rectify it. And then the person who has the audacity to think such thoughts realizes they are the man or the woman to see it through; not do it all, but to see it through. It becomes a stewardship, a passion which must be developed into a plan in order to mature and become reality. When played out against the creation – fall –redemption narrative of our world, compassionate vision is necessary to see potential in people, in relationships, in culture, in every sphere.

Embracing a vision sometimes requires stepping outside of our fear, insecurity and pride. To adopt an HIV positive child of another race. To pursue a new business venture. To speak out in the face of injustice. To ask for forgiveness and work on a difficult marriage. To reach out to a group of people who have a different lifestyle. To make a contribution, but remain anonymous.

Living in the former Soviet Union provides a multitude of opportunities for vision because there are needs everywhere you turn, so it becomes vital to focus our efforts. I wrote the following in response to my friend Nadia Povalinska’s amazing photograph (above). You may feel the same way when you are carrying a vision.

The Visionary

The disparity between vision and realization

The now and the not yet

The real and the ideal

Could lead to slight insanity

And despair

If it were not for God

If it were not for heaven

From where else do we derive this sense

Of perfect love

Perfect beauty

Perfect truth?

When I’m lost in a haze

Searching for peace

Wanting to find that place

Where earth and sky meet

He whispers in the still moments

At His feet

It’s through the humble door

Of My loving, boundless, extravagant

Grace

We first consider what should be done, then how. Here are a few practical building blocks for vision from Andy Stanley’s book Visioneering. He uses the term “visioneering” to mean the engineering of a vision and uses the example of Nehemiah who heard about the devastation of Israel and set out with compassion, determination and a plan to do something about it.

1. A vision begins as a concern
2. A vision does not necessarily require immediate action
3. Pray for opportunities and plan as if you expect God to answer your prayers
4. God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life
5. What God originates, he orchestrates
6. Walk before you talk; investigate before you initiate
7. Communicate and cast your vision to the appropriate people at the appropriate time
8. Don’t expect others to take greater risks or make greater sacrifices than you have
9. Don’t confuse your plans with God’s vision
10. Visions are refined – they don’t change; plans are revised – they rarely stay the same
11. Respond to criticism with prayer, remembrance and if necessary, a revision of the plan
12. Visions thrive in an environment of unity; they die in an environment of division
13. Abandon the vision before you abandon your moral authority
14. Don’t get distracted
15. There is divine potential in all you envision to do
16. The end of a God-ordained vision is God
17. Maintaining a vision requires adherence to a set of core beliefs and behaviors
18. Visions require constant attention
19. Maintaining a vision requires bold leadership

One Resolution: Faith in a Faithful God

As we celebrated the New Year at Maidan (Independence Square) in Kiev with thousands of jubilant people I thought if the euphoric hope for a better year could be bottled and sold on grim days it would significantly boost the economy. But wishes and good cheer do not lead to improvement. After the countdown to the new year, the clock keeps on ticking and we find ourselves going somewhere in life – good or bad. We can’t stand there forever in the glow of fireworks and falling snow. We can’t wish our difficulties away, wave a magic wand, and wake up different. It is wise to evaluate where we are in our relationships, finances, careers and goals and set our compass for the best destination. But how?

Trust in God and His faithfulness
I met a university student for coffee a few days ago. She said she and her boyfriend had been talking about how our family always seems happy. “You must have difficulties too,” she said. “What is your secret?” I said we definitely go through difficulties, but we have joy which doesn’t depend on our circumstances because we trust in God. But this kind of trust means to cling to, rely on and place everything in God’s hands because of who He is. This trust grows because we have seen His faithfulness over the years.

Obey Him
You can’t just say you trust God, you have to set your priorities, goals, and lifestyle according to His ways. When we go our own way in disregard of His commandments, we shouldn’t be surprised when we get in trouble. The word “obey” causes the modern man to bristle, but if we have settled the idea that God exists and is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb 11:6) , we can see the wisdom of obedience. Troubles sometimes happen when we do obey God, but we enjoy His pleasure and nearness in the midst of them.
Psalm 23

Cultivate Faith, not Fatalism
In general, people have reasons for not believing or trying: things didn’t work out before, they have special circumstances, you don’t understand how bad things are in their nation, etc. But we don’t get anywhere worth going without faith. When we envision anything worth going persuing, faith is the fuel which keeps us joyfully moving ahead. We have to cultivate faith and protect it or we could wander in the wilderness just outside of our Promised Land in a malignant holding pattern of doubt and bitterness. How do you feel when you spend time with someone who has an infectious, joyful faith? Encouraged? Energized? You can be sure they have habits which keep their faith strong. You can develop those habits.

Let’s set our moral compass toward God and accomplish great things this year by faith.

“With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? Surely we are the most favored of all creatures.”
Tozer