Subject: How to Empower Your Vision
Title of Column: Redemption Outreach from the Diaspora
Columnist: Pastor Sam Adelusimo, Resident Pastor, RCCG Chapel of Praise, Northwest Arkansas, United States of America.
Habakkuk 2:1-3 says “I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. Then the Lord answered me: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end, it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry”.
Brethren, vision is inalienable for living. Vision is the future we want or wish to see. The Lord has specifically instructed us to pen down our vision in clear terms. He wants us to write down first, His revelation of what He plans for us, and second, the plan or program for the future that we have set for ourselves.
In Proverbs 29:18, something is significantly instructive: “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint (or perish); But he that keepeth the law, happy is he”. Without a (clear) vision, efforts or resources will be wasted. With a (clear) vision, your efforts or resources will be properly channeled to achieve your results. Vision is a prerequisite for purposeful living. Do you have a vision?
But, what is a vision?
A vision is simply your purpose or your plan: a clear text of what you want to achieve or become in life; what you wish to do for the Lord; what you want your family and children to become; what you want to lay your hands in the near and distant future. Vision unveils one’s purpose on earth.
Beyond spiritual revelation, vision is a product of the mindset. What you want or wish to become, is a product of your vision and mindset. The stakes you set- big or small- are a function of your mindset. Those with the mindset of poverty will set low stakes for themselves and poverty may become their lot. Those with a wealthy mentality will set high stakes for themselves and this will certainly make them rich. That is the nature of vision, it works with the mindset.
What difference does vision make in our lives?
Ultimately, vision makes us happy. As the Lord has spoken in Proverbs 29:18, whosoever keeps that law of having a clear vision is on the path of doing and getting things right. Without it, the people perish.
It is the driver of our lives. It regulates our attitude to life, time-scope, or the schedule we set for ourselves in all the important areas of life.
With vision, we have a focus in life and have the set time for actualizing our dreams and aspirations. A clear vision is like a torchlight or headlamp that illuminates our paths and gives us a focus in our walk in life. The headlamp points to a particular path we thread and a focus in our movement. That is what vision does to us.
Vision gives us direction. It is like a roadmap or compass, which leads us in the right direction. It guides us on what we have achieved and what is remaining to achieve.
Vision saves us time and resources. When we do not have vision, we cannot see and when we cannot see, we stumble. Without vision, time and resources will be wasted on unnecessary things. With a vision (clear roadmap), we will know where to put or invest our time and resources and when to invest them.
Vision helps us toward a strategic planning and approach to life. Vision itself means strategic planning. Vision does not only mean hopes, aspirations, and programs; it also means how, when, and where to implement those programs or agenda. They are not just statements of intent or dreams, but also methodology or systematic execution. This is why the Lord has not minced words about it: without it, my people perish!
So, what do we do when we are visionless but seek a life with a vision?
The Lord has given us an open check when seeking a vision-driven life. In Jeremiah 33: 3, we are instructed: “Call (on)to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know”. This scripture captures the period Jeremiah may have been lonely and uncomfortable in prison, and God reminded him that he could be in His presence anywhere and all the time. God tells Jeremiah to call out to Him and to listen for all that God can teach him even in a prison cell.
If we want a vision-led and purpose-driven life, we must call on God for help, to teach or guide us. How do we do this? We can go to Him in prayer to ask Him how to lead a purposeful life aided by vision. He has a plan for everyone. God can also give us spiritual revelation, which is the first dimension or understanding of vision. God speaks to us in many ways, including through spiritual revelation about our future: what He created us for, what will happen, and what we must do in this regard.
In addition to prayers, if you do not have a vision, then test your skill set or talents, as they are pointers to your purpose on earth. If you know or love taking care of people, this is a pointer to the fact that you may be a caregiver. The right thing to do is to set up an old people’s home and fulfill your purpose in life. You could also go into nursing and realize your potential. Finding one’s purpose in life always ends up in fulfillment, success, and wealth.
How do we know godly and empowered visions?
A godly vision is an empowered vision, which must glorify God. When our vision and purpose in life do not inhibit us from winning souls for God, it is a godly one. Any purpose or act in life that makes God’s name glorified or celebrated is a godly vision. In pursuit of any vision that puts God ahead, we will live for Christ and run away from iniquity or unrighteousness (2 Timothy 2:19).
A vision given by God will not only be written down plain or made clear and simple as Nehemiah did about his intent (Nehemiah 2:5), but it will also be intelligible to people who will run with it. Visions are not run alone; there are often co-drivers, who will work towards their actualization. You may have a vision, but you need a team (spouse, family, friends, co-laborers, etc.) to run with, and drive it. This is how godly vision works. The scriptures have evidence of where God Himself shared His vision (Genesis 1:26-31; Isaiah 1:18). Any vision not shared or co-driven may not outlive the visionary.
A godly vision that will empower you will suffer opposition. If it does not attract opposition, it is not from God. Nevertheless, all godly visions prevail and the story behind the glory is the opposition it suffered. We must never surrender our visions because of any opposition that has an expiry date.
Brethren, as we conclude, we must understand that a life without a vision will be directionless. A vision not written down will be impossible to pursue. That, which is penned down will be a source of inspiration, strength, and encouragement to pursue until realization. A clear and written vision will naturally empower you to push your dreams to the limits. If the vision is godly, God will support it.
You must work toward realizing your vision. Do not allow your vision and ideas to die with you, as there are more visions that lie in the graveyards because people do not follow the principles about visions and as such end up without purpose. This shall not be your portion in Jesus’ name.
For our generation, we must have a vision, write it out plainly, pray fervently, and exercise faith in it. That is how to lead a winning life on earth.
Until next Sunday when we share another word from the throne of grace, remain blessed in Jesus’ precious name.
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•Pastor Sam Adelusimo is the Resident Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Chapel of Praise Parish, Northwest Arkansas, United States of America.
