Where Are You Going?

How many of you know where you are going today? Some of you probably feel like you pass yourselves coming and going, don’t you? Today we are going to talk about having a vision for our life. Our background passage today comes from Proverbs 29:18:

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.

Proverbs 29:18 (MSG)

We hear alot about vision today. Companies, churches and even people have vision statements. But what should vision truly represent for the Christian?

Vision is the ability to see the future achievement of God’s personal plan for your life. Wait a minute, you mean God has a personal plan for me? That’s right, there are no cookie cutter plans in God’s kingdom. God has individually tailored a plan specifically for you.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Vision is the picture of what God wants to accomplish in and through your life.

So maybe you’re wondering, "Why do I need a vision anyway?" First of all reflect back to the opening scripture. Without vision the people perish. Vision motivates by giving clear direction. Vision specifies our destination, so course corrections can be made when we see we are drifting.

It is important to remember that vision is dynamic. What I mean is that your vision will unfold over time. God reveals more of His plan in response to your obedience. Look at Acts 16:6-10 to see this dynamic principle at work:

Paul and his friends went through Phrygia and Galatia, but the Holy Spirit would not let them preach in Asia. After they arrived in Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not let them. So they went on through Mysia until they came ot Troas.

During the night, Paul had a vision of someone from Macedonia who was standing there and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" After Paul had seen the vision, we began looking for a way to go to Macedonia. We were sure that God had called us to preach the good news there.

Acts 16:6-10 (CEV)

As you can see. God was actively working to mold Paul’s passions and at the same time was revealing Paul’s path of ministry.

Keep in mind that vision is not ambition. Ambition is dreaming your own dream for God to bless. Living by ambitin leads to driven-ness, restlessness and panic. Vision on the other hand is discovering what God has created and called you to do and surrendering to it. Clear vision leads to peace, power and passion.

So how do you discover your unique vision? Henry Blackaby in his book "Experiencing God" gives this profound statement: "When God gets ready for you to take a new step or direction in his activity, it will always be in sequence with what he has already been doing."

Examining your past is the best place to start when discovering God’s unique vision for your life. Ask yourself:

What are your experiences?

Who are the people God has used in your life?

What patterns of God’s activity do you see?

The second step is to utilize the visioning power of prayer. God will use your time with him to speak to your heart and guide your path. Look at Acts 10:19-20:

While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."

Acts 10:19-20 (NIV)

Keep in mind that vision is a process. You need to apply the P.U.S.H. principle. Pray Until Something Happens. Continue to pray for God’s unique vision, don’t quit...God will reveal in His time His vision for you.

Once you have recognized God’s vision for your life, it is important that you be able to articulate it. It should become a central anchor in your life. Things that don’t work toward your vision need to be questioned.

My own vision statement is listed above, bear in mind that it is a work in progress, but this is destination God is revealing for me:

"I will actively seek to share the message of Christ with all people through word and deed. I will actively nurture believers to a deeper commitment to Christ. I will actively equip the church to carry out God’s redemptive plan for all mankind."

What is God’s vision for you? Today take some time and ask God to begin laying His personalized plan upon your heart.