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What does God’s word say about vision?

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” KJV

We have been wired to be visionaries. God has given us the capacity to dream. Creativity and imagination, ingenuity and perseverance, are gifts God gives us in order to enable us to make a mark in this life and to help us experience the fulfilment that comes from living a life of meaning and purpose. In order to make sure we make that mark and experience the meaning and purpose God desires, we need to make sure our vision is God’s vision for our lives.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

We usually don’t lack for ideas, right? We can often picture the possibilities. But which path is the right one? What venture will enable us to fulfil God’s blueprints for our lives? Do you know when we become Christians we align ourselves with the Master Dreamer?

Jeremiah 29:11-13-“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 a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will SEEK me and find me when you SEEK me with all of your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.

I Corinthians 2:9-“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him.”

God’s dreams are bigger than our dreams for ourselves because His vision is perfect.

Proverbs 3:5-6-“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Here’s what I know: If you surrender your dreams to God, you will gain everything worthwhile in the process. You lose nothing when you surrender everything to God. You gain more than you could have dreamed or possessed.

We want it all without submitting it all, and it won’t work like that. God will only allow us to possess what we first lay down. We can be guilty of submitting some, but Scripture teaches us that we are led to the place of success in Christ only when we submit it all.

Once you have consulted with God and have laid down your vision and allowed Him to birth His vision for your life into your heart and mind, you have the green light to start walking toward the fulfillment of your dreams. As you pursue your vision, however, I have two cautions for you:

1. Don’t lose sight of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:33-“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

There is an order to success. This is a first-things-first principle. You can get lost in your dream to the point where you lose sight of God and the very Kingdom you are supported to be part of, the Kingdom you are supposed to be advancing. Why is it so important to stay Kingdom-focused? As you do, you will not only grow spiritually, but you will have the discernment to do the kinds of things with your success as it comes to you, that God desires. Instead of being “changed” by success or being changed by the drive to be successful, you will be making changes that advance the Kingdom in and through your success. God wants you to understand that things will line up in your life in a way that will advance the Kingdom if you seek the Kingdom first; above your business plan, above your relationship desires, above the acquisition of wealth or notoriety. And this Scripture teaches that while we focus on advancing the Kingdom, a blessing comes into our lives-and all these things will be given to you as well.

2. Don’t lose sight of the value of people.

Everyone in your life is there for a reason. Some of them are to help refine you. Some of them are to help define you. Some of them are there to help align you with God’s designs for your life. Don’t discount anyone. Each person God gives you an opportunity to know is an opportunity to learn something more about His plan for your life. Treasure the people God gives you as you never know what role He intends for them to play in the development of your dream.

Paul tells us in Philippians 2 to not only look out for our own interests, but also for the interests of others. How we treat others matters and can ultimately be the reason we succeed or fail to see our dreams come into reality, and no vision, no dream, is more important than the people God has placed in your care and sphere of influence.

To gain it all you must first surrender everything. Are you willing to lay it down and pick up only that which God can bless? Let’s stay passionate. Let’s keep moving forward, but let’s not lose sight of that which God says has to be first.

Pursue your vision, but don’t lose your “sight!”

Pastor Melissa

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