Got Vision?

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." (Prov. 29:18)

The Hebrew word is "chazown" and it occurs about 34 times in the Old Testament. It is not a matter of a personal dream that represents your "pet" project, or favorite aspect of ministry. This word for "vision" includes the concept of divine revelation. It is a "God-give" vision. It is being able to seek God to the point that He communicates His vision for your life, or for your ministry.

The word "perish" is the word "unbridled." Without divine revelation people stumble over themselves, or they go about without God's direction, without restraint. So the question is, have you had a divinely given vision that directs your life. I am not talking about something so mystical that it is abnormal or unusual. I am talking about prayerfully seeking God until He communicates clearly His vision to you.

Certainly it is going to be consistent with the Bible. Throughout the scripture our call is to glorify God by making Him supreme in every aspect of our lives, and then transferring that to every people of the world through mission and evangelism. Occasionally someone will say, "God hasn't called me". But I think if you double check, the Great Commission was given to every Christian, not to a select handful of professionals.

What You Look at Determines Outcome

"But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully..." (Numbers 14:24)

All week long I have focused your attention in this blog on the story of the children of Israel coming to the edge of the Promised Land. God had promised to give it to them. But they had to exercise the faith to enter in. Ten spies saw giants. But Caleb saw God.

When you take your eyes off of God you develop a "grasshopper complex". Ten spies essentially called God a liar and doubted His ability to keep His promise. Caleb had a heart to obey and he obeyed fully. Partial obedience is the same as disobedience, and so is delayed obedience.

The promised land is a picture of the abundant Christian life. No doubt there are giants in your life. They may be financial giants. They may be health giants, or even relationship giants. Keep your eyes on God, because none of the giants you face are a match for Him. Trust the promises of His word and invest your life in obedience.