Establishing a Vision

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Vision, here, speaks of a redemptive gaze, focusing our energy toward the purpose of God. Most of us can say that we have trouble getting things done unless we plan to do them. We live in a goal-oriented society. Athletes go for trophies and gold medals; salesmen aim for high sales and subsequent bonuses. It seems as if our nature requires that we have a target. The same principle applies in our spiritual lives, as Proverbs 29:18a attests. If necessity is the mother of invention, then vision is the impetus of spiritual maturity. Paul, the apostle, was a man of vision. In Philippians 3:14, he wrote, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The mark was always before him.

A Christian with a vision is a joyful, mature servant. Having a vision keeps us from being distracted, which is Satan’s primary tool to disrupt a Christian’s growth. Urgent details seem to crowd our lives, but we must set our priorities and go forward in God’s plan. Let’s have David’s attitude, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise” (Psalm 57:7).