The Importance of Vision

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

Proverb 29:18 (KJV)

2 And the Lord answered me:
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (ESV)

For some reason this week God has really emphasized the vision of ministry to me and I desire to share with you something I believe is important for every person who calls on the name of Jesus for salvation. In 2 Timothy 1:9 God has not only saved us but called us to service. I know I may have touched on that before but I believe it is vital that we understand that salvation is not the end it is only the beginning for those of us who call Jesus Lord. Too often we are satisfied with our current situation and in this we fail to heed the rest of the call. You might ask what does that have to do with having a vision. Well to be honest everything. When God called you it was for a purpose; part of the purpose in a vision is to provide direction according to your calling. You see without vision there is only death; but that is only part of the reason for developing your life around a vision, in our walk with God often we get weary and begin to believe that it was the wrong vision. The truth is that is a lie of the devil; God has called you and will equip you to that calling. But sometimes being human we just have to reach back and pull out a reminder of what God has called us too. That includes each and every person that professes Jesus as Lord.  When you read the verse from Habakkuk you see the instruction to write it down and make it plain that is so you and others will understand it. But in verse three God tells him that he may have to wait on the fulfillment of it. In our world today we always want everything if not now we wanted it yesterday and in reality life for the most part does not work that way. The problem for us as Christians and people trapped in the flesh; is that when we don’t see the results we want we are often prone to quitting. We might try something else but most often we will give up completely. So much of what God has called people to never is finished.

I want you to take some time in the next few days no matter how long you have been walking with Jesus and ask yourself, am I fulfilling my calling? Do I know what my calling is? If you know what you are called to but you are not sure if you are fulfilling it take the time to write down the vision God has given you for your life. If you are responsible for ministering to others as a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, outreach, evangelism, youth, music or children’s pastor do you have a vision for what God wants in your ministry? If you do not you need to develop one. Have you written it down so those you lead can understand it? If not you need to put it out there so others understand what direction you are heading. Does it support the overall vision of the church or ministry you belong to? If not maybe you need to examine role and position in that ministry.  Take the time and ask yourself these questions. In the end it will change your life and bring direction to you and those around you. I pray that God blesses you as you walk in the light of His Word.