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