Vision that Relates to God Personally
Vision is not simply a good idea that we ask God to bless. Neither can it be just the best option that we have at our disposal. To make plans and ask the Lord to endorse them is the antithesis of real vision which says: “I only do what the Father is doing.”
Vision begins in stillness. It requires the patience to sit and listen. What we hear creates the big picture. What we see becomes a series of steps that we walk in partnership with the Lord. It is important that the vision be bigger than our faith, and our capacity to achieve it by ourselves.
Vision should lead us into a greater dependence upon who God is for us. We battle with greatness always. The enemy loves us to live in the melting pot of our own weakness, inferiority, and inadequacy. In that place he likes to postulate that majesty is far off and unavailable. It is of course, for him! When he was thrown down from Heaven, he lost all connection with majesty and sovereignty. It has made him a much less powerful figure who couldn’t even keep a radically weakened Jesus prisoner for more than three days.
Real vision requires God’s power to accomplish it. That is the whole point. It is identity building, and destiny forming. Vision produces faith. It accelerates our rest and peace. Vision increases confidence. All these attributes arise from a vision in majesty. If vision is not rooted in majesty it becomes ordinary, leading to mediocrity. Vision of necessity must establish our relationship with the Lord in a higher dimension. It must lift us out of this current level and cause us to grow up in faith, stature and Presence.
Most visions are purely functional. They center around mission, calling and ministry. Our primary calling though, is to be made in the image of Jesus. God has the pre-eminence in all things, so becoming like Him, must be our highest priority also. We are all a composite of Mary (being) and Martha (doing). We must become like Jesus so that we can do the works of Jesus. The promise that “greater things will you do than this,” can only be achieved through likeness not simulation.
What vision do we have as individuals to become like Jesus in regard to who we are as people? Do we have a vision for our character, courage, faith and obedience? Does our personal vision include the willingness to suffer, persevere and press through against any and all opposition? Does our personal vision include developing the fruit of the Spirit in all our human circumstances? Is a renewed mindset, and thinking like Jesus a part of our relational vision?
What is God seeing over us individually and corporately with regard to relationship with Him and one another? Who are we becoming with Him; within ourselves; and for the people with whom we connect in the normal course of life? Vision that is purely functional cannot be realized in the crucial times of adversity and warfare. Most churches split because their vision does not include the upgrading of relationships. We therefore let go of one another because we do not have a conscious vision that empowers us to remain when relationships go through a rough patch. If relational values are not part of the main vision then we cannot occupy the high places of gifting without being undone.
If we have no vision for developing our relationship with God into the heart of a warrior, worshipper, overcomer, suffering servant and obedient son; then we cannot attain a high place in our calling.
What does your personal/corporate vision include? Does it have those relational components? Do you have a vision for the fruit of the Spirit to become part of your nature and character in Christ? Does your vision embrace suffering, perseverance, patience and the hunger to press into the place of relational breakthrough in Christ? These are thoughts worth having. They will lead us into a greater awareness of God and a more vibrant sense of being prepared for life at a high level.
–Graham Cooke
