Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18
Realize ten years ago, vision was not talked about in a church context; and if it was, it was attributed to some fringe religious groups who claimed to “hear God’s voice” and weighted their own words equal to Scripture. Now, we believe clearly that the canon of Scripture is complete and that God is not bringing forth new revelation. No one can claim with authority that their words equate with the prophets’ - “thus saith the Lord?” The only authority we have is the proclamation and explanation of the Holy Bible.
However, we do believe that God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives. Jeremiah states…For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you…Jer. 29:11, 12
Peter encouraged his readers with the fact that we have been saved for a specific reason and vision…. “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps…” 1 Peter 2:21
The prophet Joel foretold that the Lord was going to work in people’s lives and give them a picture of what God had for them….”‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams…” Joel 2.
Rick Warren’s acclaimed best seller “The Purpose Driven Life” has forced us to deal with these questions of vision – “Why am I here and what does God have for me to do in this world?” So, in some respects all of us need to grapple with the issue of what is God’s design, purpose, and plan - HIS VISION – for each of our lives!
Over the years people have come to me struggling with these same issues, hoping that for a moment I could morph into an Old Testament prophet and declare, with that “thus saith the Lord” ability, “this is what God has for you!” Instead of giving them my idea of what that vision was, I shared some principles to help them discover their specific purpose. It has become eye-opening to many that it is not a mystery. So let’s have a blog-wide counseling session – you are in my office and you have asked that question – “How do I find God’s vision for my life?” Here’s my counsel:
1. Walk in WISDOM – Start with the known and let God worry about the “unknown.” The known in your life is to grow, mature, and become established in your faith. I tell people way to determine your growth is to walk in WISDOM (the reason for the blog's name!). That stands for Worship, Instruction, Stewardship, Discipleship, Outreach, and Meaningful Fellowship. When all of those things are operationally spiritually in your life, then you will be in a position to know what the Lord wants you to do with your life. Its like soccer....before you do a "Pele-like scirror kick over your head....you need to learn how to dribble, pass and head the ball.
2. Discover Your Giftedness – A lot of times God has connected your purpose to the spiritual gift He gave you upon your new birth.Paul writes…”For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us…” Rom. 12:4-6a. We have been gifted in accordance with our purpose. Romans 12 is the complete list of gifts given to believers - they are: teaching, serving, giving, leading, exhorting, prophesying (in the sense of proclaiming) and mercy.
3. “To Thine Own Self Be True!” – Know how God has wired you…your personality, your passions, your abilities, your background, your hobbies, your interests. You are a masterpiece, and God has painted you with His divine paint brush. Your uniqueness will determine your vision!
4. Try, Try, and Try Again – Early in the journey towards discovering God’s purpose in your life, you begin to experiment and attempt different things. Investigate, experience, try things out…all of that will lead you to know what you like and dislike!!
5. What Are People Saying About You? Here is an important one – seek counsel. Proverbs 1:5 – A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. Go talk to your spouse, small group leader, elder, Pastor….whoever will give you honest, forthright counsel. Remember…”Wounds of a friend are better than kisses of an enemy!”
6. Examine the Fruit – What fruit have you produced and in what context did that fruit come? Years ago, I knew a brother who desired to teach God’s Word; and he tried and tried, doing everything he could to become a good Bible teacher. But to be honest, he could not teach if his life depended on it. He was boring, couldn’t communicate well, and didn’t have the mind for researching facts and making them relevant. However, that guy could organize and administrate an operation like nobody’s business. Fortunately, someone came along and said – “Look at the fruit that has been born from your administrative abilities. Stop trying to make fruit from NO SEEDS!”
7. Be More Concerned with the Direction and Not the Destination. Ps. 119 – “The word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path”…I heard James Dobson once say that God usually doesn’t tell us what will happen 20 miles down the road, but he does reveal each step as long as we remain in tune with His Spirit and carefully mark our steps by His Word. I know in my life I would have never figured out on my own that God would have me pastoring a church like NewSong in Lancaster, PA. But I know I am where I am today because of my commitment to listen, watch, and wait on Him for every step along the way and to open the doors for me to walk through!
8. Don’t Forget the Church! This might be a new concept for many of you, but I truly believe that the key to discovering your personal vision and calling is connected with the church you are a part of. What are the church’s needs….what are the ministries they have…what is the leadership saying is its direction? A lot of times, God has placed you in a church where your personal vision will be fulfilled through your church! Are you consulting the church? Have you asked them to pray? Let me tell you how serious I take this point ---I have a standing rule that if another church or ministry would call me, inquiring whether I would be interested in leaving NewSong and joining their ministry, I would answer this way: “Hey listen, here are the phone numbers of a couple of my elders. If you can convince them that God is releasing me from my calling at NewSong and leading me to your ministry, then I will consider what you are offering.” Funny, but no one has ever called those men! Why do I do that? Because I believe that God could, and will, use the leadership of our church in a major decision like that. I am NOT espousing that every decision – like buying a home or car, getting married, or changing professions needs to be consulted with our leadership like some extremist Christian groups may claim. However, certainly tap into their wisdom, discernment, and common sense.
All of us need a vision for what God wants to do with our lives. He has a plan and purpose for all of His children. He desires that all of us would grow in our vision -- and grow because of the vision!