Vision is what others call as "a clear mental picture of the future”. A God-given vision is a clear mental picture of what God wants a person to accomplish –– all for His glory. In the current local church I pastor, God gave me a vision for “a big church, that is healthy and dynamic, composed of people who truly love and serve God.” For me, this is a clear mental picture of what God wants me to accomplish for Him. This vision becomes clearer to me from the day it was written down almost nine years ago.
Any "God-given vision" will face testings. The testing may come as a simple whisper in a visionary's ear that tells the vision received is impossible. It's impossible because there are no resources. Or that there are too many matters at stake, and there are sure hardships for the vision's fulfillment.
When these predicaments come, should the visionary still hold on to his God-given vision? Should he still engage himself towards the fulfillment of the vision even if the negative voices, challenges, and hardships that may seem logical and believable? Should he still trust God and move towards the direction of the vision? Even when the negativities are clearer than the vision or when the easier way is the smartest way, more often than not, the temptation to neglect the inaudible voice of God is clear and present? And even attractive offers to vacate or leave the vision can deviate the visionary from carrying on with his God-given vision.
But just like in the story of elijah and the widow of Zarepath (1Kings 17:7-15), we can learn some truths about a God-given vision.
Vision is carried by a man of god. God entrusts his vision initially to a person.
That person then casts the vision to a group of people. The vision God gave to Elijah the prophet (as with all true prophets) was the restoration of backslidden idolatrous nation of Israel back to God. And he has to teach a wayward king back to God (17:1). I am ever committed to sharing the vision to whomever comes along the way. I share this for the reason of letting other people know the vision God gave me. And probably along the way as I tell stories about the vision, more and more people catch it and be an active part of it.
God sends people to support the vision.
God uses people to sustain the vision given to the man of God. When the Elijah faced his hard situation, God sent him to a widow, a person who was poor and who was ready to die because of poverty (v.12). But the poverty did not hinder because the vision was greater. Elijah and the widow had a partnership that carried them both to better opportunities. I also believe that God’s will send me loving people who will receive the vision wholeheartedly. And be partners with me in this godly effort.
Miracles happen when a group of people are aligned to God’s vision.
God lets a widow and her child experience miracle (twice!) because she believed and obeyed. (vv..13-14). It was clear she believed the message and the messenger. And it was clear that she obeyed the prophet’s instruction. God’s miracles is still in operation in the present time. Whatever miracle that maybe, God is still active. I know this. And God does this for the glory of His Name. God will do any miracle (relational, physical, financial) if it will glorify His Name.
I invite you to vision together with me. God bless you more.
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