George Barna once described vision as, “A clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to his chosen servants, and based upon an accurate understanding of God, self and circumstances.” It’s a mouthful, but as I’ve compared this definition to the Bible, I’ve seen it to be true.
One of the greatest privileges and responsibilities a leader has is to discern God's vision for the people he leads. Vision, however, is often misunderstood and unfortunately, many Christian leaders take cues from the world and corporate America. They visualize accomplishing great things for God and then become convinced that their dreams are God's vision. Remember, God is not a cosmic genie to serve our wants. He never promised to finance OUR dreams. Instead, we should be people who receive vision from God, not ask God to bless our plans. Nehemiah's example is a powerful one and illustrates the proper process for receiving vision.
Reading Nehemiah 1-3 you see how Nehemiah first was placed in a position by God to be used. He was the cupbearer to the king- a trusted and respected position. Obviously, Nehemiah’s character preceded God giving him vision. He had learned to be faithful and a person of integrity. This positioned him both internally (his character) and externally (his role with the king) to be used of God. What position does God have you in? God may have you there for a reason you might not see… a reason to bring glory to him in some way. I’m sure Nehemiah spent years wondering how God use him as an exile on Persia, but as he remained obedient and faithful, God empowered him in an amazing way.
Next, Nehemiah received word of the destruction of the walls of Jerusalem. This greatly saddened him because Jerusalem was the epicenter of the Jewish faith and symbolized the work of God in the nation. In the minds of the Jew- as Jerusalem went, so went their faith. So, the disappointment in Nehemiah’s heart was the spark to ignite a positive, spiritual vision that addressed a particular problem. That vision was essentially to “rebuild the walls”. Maybe disappointment plays a role in our lives that we often do not embrace?
Nehemiah took at least 3 months to pray and fast. This included beseeching God to work as He had done in the past. It also included the confession of sin. Essentially, Nehemiah prayed for God to work and then he waited. He simply trusted God to do something. This again placed him in a position spiritually to receive God’s vision to eventually do something.
One day the king saw the sadness of Nehemiah’s demeanor and God provided a divine opportunity. With courage and by offering up a quick prayer, Nehemiah responded to the king. God had now provided the means for something to take place regarding the walls of Jerusalem. Not only did the king give permission for Nehemiah to go (without which nothing could have happened), he provided many resources Nehemiah needed to be successful.
Again- all the result of the supernatural work of God.
What has God given you a vision to do? With respect to it we must remember…
1. Vision comes from God to us (not the other way around) and we can get into a mess of trouble when we have dreams and aspirations and equate them to God’s Will. Be careful to make sure your vision is from your Father in Heaven.
2. Take the time to pray, meditate, fast, and offer up the problem to God. Long before you implement plans, make sure that you trust God not only for the vision, but for the resources to carry it out.
3. The implementation of vision is about a faith walk. We wait for God to direct and provide, and then in courage we must respond. Faith in this instance means two things… it means a willingness to wait and hold the vision loosely, and it means the willingness to act with courage when God provides.
Our goal is not to get ahead of God by pushing the agenda of vision and fleshing it out. Alternatively, our goal is not to get behind God through fear and the inability to act when God says “go”. Instead, step-by-step we walk with God as he provides all we need to achieve His vision.
Again- God’s will, done God’s way, will not lack God’s resources. Make vision a matter of faith from the beginning, through the implementation, all the way to its fulfillment. In this God will accomplish not only some great task that will honor Him and bless others, but He will also develop you through it- your character and faith.
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