Vision-Purpose Unfolded

How crucial is having a vision for you? It is the holy grail that's reiterated in Christendom today. Without a doubt it is the most crucial thing in life because Bible states that "Where there is no vision people perish....." Proverbs 29:18 (KJV). In other words without a ‘vision’ we cannot unfold the purpose of God in our life. Martin Luther explains vision this way, “You cannot move from where you are until you see beyond where you are.”. You must have a dream otherwise whatever is not your vision can never be your portion in life. You will lose the purpose for what you have been created, if your heart cannot conceive.

“A vision provides the focus for the ministry and will enable the leader to keep his followers to move in one direction towards the ultimate goal. It is the skill of an effective leader to articulate the vision in such a way that everyone understands it and wants to participate in it. A vision statement provides direction and a target for the church/organization or even individuals.  It is a tool to help the organization fulfill what God has called it to do.”.

A clear Vision provides 3 things.

1.    Why we are here: Our purpose

2.    Where are we going: A picture of the future

3.    What guides us along the way: What we value!

Stay with me as I unfold how to culminate to a vision or a dream. Finding a vision to move forward towards a specific mission is not conditioned to dreams alone. Let me categorize few major heads to find direction to unfold the purpose in your life:

1.    A specific vision/dream from God or God speaking to man for achieving a specific mission:                 

Pharaoh had a dream (Genesis 41:1-7) for Egypt which was wrapped in mystery. Joseph had an opportunity to unfold it to a specific, meticulous strategy and workplan.

Moses: God spoke to Moses in Mt Sinai to build the tabernacle (Exodus 24:18; 25:8)

Jeremiah: God specifically called Jeremiah to warn Judah and return to Lord God. (Jeremiah 1:8;10)

2.    A strong desire or aspiration to fulfill something for God:

David had a strong desire to build a place, an abode for God (1 Chronicles 17:1-2). What is your burning desire and how it falls under the Biblical framework.

3.    Sensitizing about the Problem and getting the person to act. (Can be from God or from an anointed man of God):

God reminded Moses of the serious problem Israelite were facing, the slavery in Egypt. Moses was asked to be the conduit and bring the people out from bondage (Exodus 3:7; 10)

Esther was challenged by Mordecai to redeem the Jew who were soon prepared to be annihilated (Esther 3:13; 4:8,14)

4.    Getting to know about the problem and act on it:

Nehemiah: He heard about the broken walls of Jerusalem and was burdened and acted on it (Nehemiah 1: 1-4). The problem that is overwhelming you is the missionary call to act upon it.

5.    Obedience to the edicts of God:

Edicts of God are as follows -

Great commission is to preach the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20) 

Great Commandment of God is to love God and to love the neighbors (Mark 12:30-31), and 

Great Compassion is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, take care of the strangers, help the sick, visit those in prison etc. (Matthew 25:36-40). 

Here, no one is exempted. Everyone who is His disciple is mandated to be involved in the mission of God.

It's worth to ponder which of the above categories you fall under as a Church, organization or individual. May God help you in fulfilling His purpose in your life through visions and dreams.

(To influence people on vision, strategies, developing a Ministry blueprint for Church and organization through seminars is my ministry. I would be glad to help you out in the same for your ministry.)

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"Ichabod- the glory has departed"

Every name has a meaning and it is obvious people live up to their names. People are careful while choosing names, they ensure it makes much sense and it is noteworthy. What does your name mean? Does your name reflect you?

Let me draw your attention to the incident where Israel loses the battle during Eli's period and at the same time his daughter-in-law gives birth to a boy whom she names Ichabod- which meant the glory has departed. A sad name the child had to live with all his life, right? In this case it displays two meaning one the child's father, Eli's son was extremely wicked and secondly the heights of Israel's lawlessness at that time due to which the protection of God was removed.

Today some people have their names to which its meaning is so inspiring and noteworthy but live like Ichabod in a state where the glory has departed already. They may be great worship leader, or a powerful speaker yet live with the departed glory. It is spoken about such people who are "walking encyclopedia but living failures". 

Same is the case of many glorious Churches once, but now lost all glory and just survive for their existence. In the book of Haggai, it talks about the magnificent temple of Solomon and it goes like this, ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now?. .’ Haggai 2:3 CSB. But praise God He is not giving up on us or on the Church He promises to restore the glory. 

We know Moses and Stephen (Acts 6:15), become a person like Jesus, a person with a shining face. The glory of the Lord was with them. In the case of Moses, as Warren Wiersbe says, 'It was the godly influence of the woman who raised him, his mother, Jochebed? Her name means “Jehovah is glory.” Whenever Moses heard his mother’s name, he was reminded that “Jehovah is glory.” The glory of men and nations lasts as long as the flowers and grass in the backyard, but the glory of God lasts forever. That’s the glory we want to choose. As leaders, we are responsible to restore God's glory in the lives of people who have lost it.

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