Table of Table of Conte Conten nts Endorsements Tit itle le Page Cop Co pyrig yright ht Page Dedication De dication Acknowledgments Ac knowledgments Preface Pr eface Int ntroduction roduction Part Pa rt 1 1. Vision: The Key to Fulfilling Your Life' ife'ss Purp Purpo os e 2. The Sou S ource rce of Vis Vision ion 3. Overcoming Obstacles to Vision Part Pa rt 2 4. Principle # 1: Be Directed by a Clea Cle ar Vision Vis ion 5. Pr Prii nci ncip pl e # 2 : Know Know Your Potential Potenti al for for Fulfilling Vision 6 . Princi Pri ncip ple # 3 : Devel Develop op a Con Concr crete ete Plan P lan for for You Yourr Vis Vi s ion 7. Principle Principle # 4: Pos Pos s es esss the Pas Pas s io ion n of of Vis Vis io ion n 8 . Princi Pri ncip ple # 5 : Devel Develop op the Faith Faith of of Vision Vis ion 9. Princi Pr incip ple # 6: Und Unders ers ta tand nd th thee Proces P rocesss of Vis Vision ion 10.. Principle 10 Principle # 7: Set S et the the Priorities of Vis Vis ion 11.. Princip 11 Princi ple # 8: 8 : Recogniz Recognizee People People's 's Inf nfluence luence on Vision 1 2 . Princi Pri ncip ple # 9 : Em Employ the the Prov Pr ovis is ion of Vis Vision ion 13.. Principle 13 Principle # 10: 1 0: Us Us e Pers Per s is ten tence ce in i n Achiev Achieving ing the Vision 14.. Princip 14 Princi ple # 11 11:: Be Patient in the the Fulfill Fulfillm ment of of
Vision 15. Principle # 12: Stay Connected to the Source of Vision Part 3 1 6 . The The Gener Generat ationa ionall Na Nature ture of Vision Vis ion 1 7 . How How to Write You ourr Per Perss on onal al Vis ion Plan Pl an Taking Action A Word to Third-World Nations About the Author
What peopl peop le are are sayi s aying ng about Dr. Myles Myles Munroe’s Munroe’s book boo ks …
God has an ex e xciti citing ng pur pu rpos po s e, plan, plan, and vis vis ion for every one o ne of Hi His chi ch ildren. If you yo u have h aven’t n’t found foun d you y ours rs yet, y et, The Pri Princi nc iples and an d Power Po wer of Vi Vis io n wil will hel he lp you y ou disco dis cove verr and fulfi fulfilll your yo ur God God-ordained ordained des d esti tiny ny.. This This is truly truly one on e of the bes b estt books bo oks I’ve I’ve ever eve r read on o n the th e topi top ic of vis vis ion! on !
Bill McCartney Founde Foun derr and President, Presiden t, Prom Promiis e Keepers What Wh at a great book boo k! Myles Munroe Mu nroe has captured capt ured a clear clear and conci con ciss e roadmap roadmap for dis dis cover cov eriing the vision vision for our ou r li lives and, and , more suc s ucci cinc nctly tly than th an anyon any onee else, how h ow to fulfi fulfilll it. Dr. Dr. Bi Bill W ins ton to n Pas tor, to r, Living W ord Chris hris tian Center Cent er Fores t Park, Park, Ill Illinoi ino is The Princ Princiiples and an d Power of Vi Vis ion s eeks to t o ins pire pire men men and an d women omen to t o pursu p ursuee the th e vision vision that God has placed placed in thei th eirr hearts hearts and an d is also a practical p ractical tool too l for max maxiimizing one’s on e’s p oten ot ential tial.. The book bo ok is is s piri pirituall tu ally y and an d men menta tallly stim s timulating ulating as a s it explores explores the th e concept con cept that tha t “vi “v is ion” on ” is is pow po werf erful and a motivator motivator to hum hu man activity, activity, and that it requires requires the appl app lication cation of bas ic rules rules and princ princiip les for effect effectiive ful fu lfil fillment. en t. I congratul con gratulate ate Dr Dr. Munr Mun roe on the succes s ucces s of this this book, bo ok, which is is indi nd icati cat ive of the th e des d esiire wi withi th in readers read ers for such s uch materi ate rial al.. I have hav e no doub do ubtt that t hat Dr. Munroe’s Mu nroe’s des de s ire to impart impart hi h is insi ns ights gh ts and concepts con cepts to the world orld throug t hrough h thi t hiss medium edium will bear be ar muc much h fruit. fruit. I highly comm commend en d this t his boo b ook k to indi nd ividual vidua ls in all aspe as pects cts of leadersh ead ershiip—spir p—s piriitual tu al and s ecul ecu lar—and ar—and pray tha t hatt God God will bless bles s thos th os e who s trive trive to t o fulfi fulfilll the th e vision He has placed in them th em..
Dame Ivy Dumont Governor-General The Comm ommonweal on wealth th of the th e Isl Is lands an ds of the th e Bah Baham amas as After reading your yo ur book, bo ok,.. ...I .I was chal cha llenged en ged to my marrows arrows.. I bega be gan n to t o see s ee the t he pot p oten ential tial h idden dd en in me me which which need n eedss to b e tapped.
Evan va n gel ge lis t Chidiebere hidiebe re Nig Nig eria eria Your ou r book bo ok on o n pote po ten n tial tou to u ched ch ed my life. It It mad madee me me realiz realize that I am pregnant pregnan t with with lots of thing thingss that tha t I have to bring bring out. ou t. I need nee d to t o be b e a youn yo ung g man man who is full fully com co mmitted tt ed to t o God God..
Phineas Phineas Mahl Mah latsi ats i Sou South th Afri Africa As one who has been enr en riched through the th e teachings teachings and writings ritings of Dr. Dr. Myles Munroe, Mu nroe, I fi find the th e mes messs age in Understan nd erstanding ding the Purpos e and Power Power of Men both bo th s igni gn ificant and chal ch alllengi eng ing.. ng .... .. This is an on-ti on -tim me and an d end e nd-ti -tim me boo b ook k, not ust us t to read, but to be us ed as a ref refer erence ence in in charting charting our o ur course cou rse for a better bet ter society s ociety and an d a riche richerr li life.Dr fe.Dr.. Bi Bill Winsto Wins ton n Pasto Pas tor, r, Li Living W ord Ch ris ris tian Cente en terr Forest Fores t Park, Ill Illinoi no is Understan nd erstanding ding the th e Purpo Purposs e and Power Power of Men helps helps males ales under und erss tand what it means means to be b e a man, man, husband hus band,, and father father so they can becom beco me chang ch angee agents ag ents towards towards rebui ebu ilding ding fami amilies, es , communities, and ultimately a nation. Mr. Jerom Jeromee Edm Edmon onds ds on Pres Presiident den t and a nd Founder Foun der Chri Chriss tian Bus ines ne s s Network, etwork, Inc. Inc. Southfield, Michigan Your ou r book, Under nd erss tandi tan ding ng the Purpo Purposs e and Power Power of Men, Men , is one of the bes t book bo okss I have read. read. It It has h as brought my relat relatiions on s hip with with God alive alive..
Terry Hall Hall
Oregon I ffiinis nis hed reading Understand Underst andiing the Purpo Purposs e and Power Power of Pray Prayer. er. It It is an awesom awes omee teac t eaching hing.. You You wil will neve ne verr kno know w how ho w it it has touch to uched ed my my spir s piriit and an d life. life.
Mary Campbell Westport, Indiana
Unless nles s otherwi ot herwiss e ind indiicated cat ed,, all all Scri Scripture pt ure quot qu otations ations are from from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, niv®, © 1973, 1978, 78, 19 1984 by the th e Interna Int ernation tional al Bi Bible Soci Soc iety. et y. Used Us ed by perm pe rmiis s ion of Zonde Zon dervan rvan.. All All righ rights ts reserve res erved. d. Script Scripture ure quot qu otat atiions on s marked arked (nkjv) (nkjv) are fro fro m the th e New Ki King James James Versi ers ion, on , © 1979 1979,, 198 1980, 0, 198 1982, 2, 198 1984 4 by Tho Th o mas Nels Nels o n , Inc. Inc . Used Us ed b y perm pe rmiis s ion. on . A ll righ rights ts reserved res erved.. Scri Scrip p ture tu re quota quo tation tionss marked arked (kj (kjv) are a re taken ta ken from the th e King King James James Versi ers ion of the t he Holy Holy Bible. Scripture quotations marked (nas) are from the New American Standard Bible®, nas®, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973 1973,, 1975 1975,, 1977 1977,, 1988 1988 b y The Th e Lockman Lockman Foun Fou n d ati at io n . Used Us ed b y perm pe rmiis s ion. on . (www (www.L .Loc ock kman.org) an .org) The Pri Princi nc iples and an d Power of Vis ion: on : Keys ey s to Achievi Ac hieving ng Pers Pers onal on al and an d Corpo Corporate rate Des Destiny tiny Hard Hard cove co verr Edition Edition Dr. Myl My les Munroe Mu nroe Bahamas Faith Ministries International P.O. Box N9583 Nass Nas s au, au , Baham ah amas as e-mail:
[email protected] Web sites: www.b www.bfm fmm mm.com .co m; www.b www.bfm fmi. i.tt v ; www.m www.my y lesm les mu n roe.tv roe .tv ISBN-13: 978-1-60374-141-5 Pri Prin ted te d in the t he Unite United d Stat St ates es of Am A merica erica © 200 2003 by Dr. Dr. Myl My les Munroe Whi Wh itaker Hous ou s e
1030 Hunt Valley Circle
New Kens ingto ng ton, n, PA 150 15068 www.whitakerhouse.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Munroe, Myles. The pri p rinc nciiples and a nd power po wer of vis vis ion : keys ey s to achi ach ieving perso pe rson n al and an d corpo co rporate rate des d estiny tiny / Myl My les Munro Mu nroe. e. p. cm. cm. ISBN 0-88368-951-0 (hardcover) 1. Voc Vocation—C ation—Chri hriss tianity tianity.. 2. 2. Suc Succes cesss —Rel —Reliigious aspe as pects cts — Christianity. 3. Self-r Self-reali ealizzati at ion—R on —Reli eligiou giouss aspe as pect ctss —Chri —Chriss tianity. tianity . I. Title. Title. BV4740.M84 2003 248.4—dc21 2002154348 o par p artt of o f this this book bo ok may may be b e reprod reproduced uced or trans trans mitted in any an y form or by any means electronic or mechanical—including phot ph otoc ocop opying ying,, recordi reco rdin n g, or by any a ny inform nfo rmat atiion s torage to rage and a nd retrieval system—without permission in writing from the publi pu bliss her. he r. Pleas Pleasee di d irect your yo ur inq inquir uiriies to perm pe rmiis s ions on s edi ed itor@w to r@whitakerho hitakerhous us e.com e.co m.
Dedication To the th e visual visu allly impair impaired ed amon among g us u s . May the th e visions of your you r hearts replace eplace the t he limitations of your yo ur eyes . To my my s piri piritual tu al fath father er and mentor, ent or, Oral Oral Roberts ob erts,, who whoss e visionary visiona ry lead leadersh ershiip accom ac compli pliss hmen hments ts ins pired pired my my own. o wn. To Richard ch ard Pinder Pind er III, III, my my faith faithful ful fri frien end d and an d partne pa rtnerr in in vision. You Yourr ffai aith th and an d bel b eliief in in me me and an d the t he vi v is ion over ov er the years y ears has encouraged me. me. To my execu executive tive leadership leaders hip team t eam at BFMI. FMI. Thank Than k you for your you r vis vis ionary supp s upport. ort. To the t he millions on s of peop pe oplle in the th e deve d evellopi op ing Third-Wo Third-Worl rld d countri cou ntries es who daily daily as a s pir pire to believe believe in a vis vis ion of a better bet ter world world . I believ believe, e, also. als o. To my my belov beloved ed wife Ruth Ruth,, daughte daug hterr Chari Chariss s a, and s on Chairo. Thanks for believing. To the th e Source of all all true vision visionss and the Sustai Sus tainer ner of all all dreams.
Acknowledgments This work is the th e resu res u lt of o f a li lifetime fetime of o f learn learniing and an d development from many mentors, teachers, supporters, advi adv is ors, pas p astors tors,, couns cou nsel elors, ors, fri friends end s , and fami amily, who inves nv ested ted thei th eirr tim time, energy, ene rgy, and an d interes nt erestt in my my life. For this, I am eternally grateful. No achi ach ievem ev emen entt in li life is is with withou outt the th e hel he lp of o f many an y known kno wn and unknown u nknown ind indiividu vidual alss who have h ave contri co ntribu buted ted to t o our ou r lives . We are all all the th e sum s um total to tal of what what we have hav e learned learned from from others ot hers,, and we owe any meas measure ure of s ucces s to the t he array array of inp input ut from from s o many many.. Here Here are jus jus t a few who made made thi th is work pos po s s ible: To my wife wife Rut Ruth, h, for your yo ur unw un waveri av ering ng s uppo up porrt. To Lois Lois Pugl Pug lis i, my my talent t alented ed and an d ex e xcellen cellentt edito e ditor. r. Your ou r relentless elentless pur pu rs uit of and patience with with me duri d uring ng the incepti ncep tion on,, incuba ncu bation, tion, devel dev elop opm ment, en t, and del de livery of o f thi th is work was a tremendous source of motivation and encouragement. You’re a wri writer’ te r’ss d ream. ream. To the t he membe embers rs and an d foll followers o f BFMI BFMI who who allowed allowed me the t he privil privileg egee of sha s hari ring ng and an d tes t esting ting the t he ideas idea s and an d pri p rinc nciiples in this t his book bo ok in in our o ur relations relations hip ove o verr the th e years ye ars.. W ithou th outt you y ou,, my vision would have remained just a dream. I am forever grateful. To the th e fri friends end s and distinguished distinguish ed members embers of the Board of o f Trus Trus tees of the International Thir Third Worl W orld d Leaders Leaders As s ociation ociation,, for your you r exam example ple of visi vis ionary on ary leadership leaders hip ove o verr the years. ye ars. You You ins pired pired me to t o b eliev elievee in mi mine. ne .
To my my frien friend, d, Jim Jim Rill, who who hel he lped pe d with with the th e earl ea rly y s tage ta gess of the th e devel dev elop opm ment of this work work and the concept con ceptual ual develop developm ment of the cover cov er desi des ign. gn . You You are are a part of my my hi h is tory. Thank you. you .
Preface Vis ion is the s our ou rce and an d hop h opee of o f li life. The greates t gi g ift ever ev er given given to mankind ankind is not no t the th e gift gift of o f sigh sight, t, but the gif gift of o f vis vis ion. on . Sigh Sightt is is a fun functi ction on of the eyes ey es;; vision is is a fun functi ction on of the heart. h eart. “Eyes “Eyes that tha t look are are com co mmon, on , but eyes that tha t s ee are rar rare.” e.” othi oth ing nob n oblle or notewor no teworthy thy on earth was ever done don e wi without tho ut vision. No invention, development, or great feat was ever accom acco mplis plis hed he d with withou outt the th e ins ins piri piring power po wer of this mys mys teriou teriouss s our ou rce called called vis vis ion. on . Civili vilizations were were born bo rn and devel dev elop oped ed throu t hrough gh the th e driving driving power po wer of a visionary vision ary lead leader. er. The can c anva vass o f histo his tory ry is is pai pa inted nt ed with evidence eviden ce of o f the th e creative, trad tradiition-defying force of vis vis ion. on . Social, Social, econo eco nom mic, archi arch itect te ctu u ral, ral, med mediical, scient s cientiific, fic, and an d pol po litical achievement achievement and an d advan ad vancem cements ents owe their their concept con ceptiion and birth birthiing to the th e power po wer o f visi vis ion. on . Any An y ci c ivili vilization that t hat is trapped trapp ed in a ti t ime warp warp of o f the pas p ast, t, s uffocat uffocated ed by b y the t he traditi tradition onss of past pas t experi experiences ences and bur bu ried in the gr g rave of the gl g lories ories of past s uccess ucces s es, es , is is doom doo med to die. die. Vis ion is the key to t o unlock u nlockiing the gates of what what was and what is , to propell propelling us u s into the land of what what coul co uld d be, b e, and has not no t yet been. be en. Vi Vis ion s ets you yo u free free from from the th e li limitati tat ions on s of wha whatt the t he eyes can see s ee and all allows you y ou to enter en ter into into the liberty liberty of what what the heart can feel. eel. It It is vi v is ion that tha t mak makes es the uns un s een vi v is ible and the unk u nknown nown pos s ible. ble. Vis ion als als o makes makes s ufferi uffering ng and an d di d is appointm app ointmen entt bearable. b earable. Vis ion gener gen erates ates hope ho pe in the mids t of o f despair des pair and provides provides
endurance end urance in tribu tribullation ation.. Vi Vis ion inspir ns pires es the depr dep ress es s ed and a nd motivates the discour discou raged. aged . With Withou outt vi v is ion, on , li life would would be a study in cyclic frustration within a whirlwind of despair. Vision is the t he foundati found ation on of o f cour cou rage and the fuel of pers pers is tence. tence . It was vision that inspired the first biblical civilization estab es tabllis hed by the great hunte hu nterr Ni Nimrod. od . Vi Vis ion produced produ ced the great Egy Egyptian ptian civil civiliization ation over ov er fou fourr thous thou s and years ago and gave gav e ris ris e to t o the toweri towering pyr py rami amids that s til till amaz amazee us u s today. tod ay. Vis ion inspir ns pired ed the Greeks eeks to produce produ ce phi p hillos ophy op hy and art art that t hat s till till imp act the th e thinki t hinking ng of our o ur world. world. Vi Vis ion moti ot ivate va ted d the t he great Roman oman empir empiree to t o expan expand d its influen nfluence ce and a nd coloni colon ize the t he known world. Vision inspired the explorers who circumvented the gl g lobe ob e and igni gn ited the t he creation creation and expan expanss ion of many many of the nati nat ions on s that we know today. today . Vi Vis ion transf trans formed ormed the t he agricu agriculltural tu ral world orld into nt o the th e indus indu s trial trial age. Vi Vis ion gave gav e bi b irth to to the thous tho usands ands of inven inventi tions ons in the last two centuries centuries that have hav e transfor trans form med our ou r li lives ve s . It was the vis vis ion of fl flight gh t that t hat ins pir pired the Wrigh Wrightt br b rothers oth ers to inv invent ent the t he air airplane. plane. It It was was the vi v is ion of o f light gh t that pos p os s ess es s ed Thomas Thomas Edison to invent nv ent the lightbu gh tbullb. It It was the vis vis ion of a desk des k-s ized com co mputer pu ter that motivated motivated Stephen Steph en Jobs Job s to invent the desk des ktop compu computer. ter. It was the th e vis vis ion of givi giving ng every person perso n acces s to peop pe oplle-fri e-frien endly dly softwar s oftwaree that th at inspir ins pired ed Bil Bill Gates to devel dev elop op and an d invent inven t the th e Micros Micros oft global glob al empir empire. e. Vi Vis ion is the th e energy energy of progress progress.. Our worl world d tod t oday ay is in des d esperate perate need n eed of vis vis ion. on . Even Even a casual cas ual loo look k at the th e prevai preva iling cond co ndiitions in our o ur twenty-f twenty -fiirst
century worl world d is enough eno ugh to pr p roduce odu ce fear fear,, hopeles hopelesss ness nes s , uncertai un certaint nty, y, ins ins ecuri ecu rity ty,, emot emotiional on al and s ocial trauma, trauma, depression, disillusionment, discouragement, and despair. The threat th reat of econo eco nom mic col co llaps e, social s ocial disintegration, disinte gration, moral moral decay, dec ay, religious conflict, political instability, global health epidemics, ethnic eth nic clean cleanss ing, ng , and an d the th e clas clash h of o f civil civiliizations demand demandss leadershi eadersh ip that th at can s ee beyon bey ond d the th e now no w into a prefer preferrred future, that has the s kill to transf trans fer that vi v is ion into nt o reali reality, and that has the cour cou rage to inspi ns pirre us to go g o ther th ere. e. The wis wis e king king of Is Is rael, rael, Solom Solomon on,, state st ated d in his book bo ok of Prov Prover erbs bs , “Where there is is no vis vis ion, on , the people peo ple peri peris h” (Proverbs (Proverbs 29:18 kjv). Thes e words words have ha ve been b een quo q uoted ted and an d repeated epeat ed by b y mi millions on s of peopl peop le over ov er the years becaus b ecaus e they the y captu cap ture re the si s igni gn ificant can t role role vision has h as in our o ur ind indiividual vidua l, corporate, and national li lives . The full full ess es s ence of his his s tatement tatement implies plies that th at where there th ere is is no revelation revelation of o f the th e futur futu re, people peo ple throw off self-control, personal discipline, and restraint. Simply put, pu t, visi vis ion is the th e sou s ource rce of person pers onal al and an d corpo co rporate rate di d is cipli cipline. ne . There are many many who have hav e no vision for thei the ir lives and wonder on der how to obtai ob tain n one. on e. There There are are other oth erss who have hav e a vis vis ion, on , but bu t are stu s tuck ck in the t he mud mud of confu co nfuss ion not no t knowi kno wing ng what to t o do do next. next. Then Then there are are thos tho s e who who had h ad a vision but bu t have hav e abando aban doned ned it becaus b ecaus e of discouragem disco uragement, ent, di d is illusi us ionm on ment, ent , s ome ome meas measure ure of o f fai faillure, or frus frus tration tration.. If If you yo u are in in one on e of o f thes th esee categ ca tegori ories es,, The Pri Princi nc iples and an d Power of Vi Vis ion is desi des igned to hel h elp p you y ou under und erss tand the nature n ature of vis vis ion, define define vision, captu cap ture re or recap recaptu ture re a person pers onal al vision, si s implify plify your you r vis vis ion, on , and docum do cument ent you y ourr vis vis ion. on .
I al als o hope h ope to hel h elp p you y ou under und erss tand the pr p rincipl nciples es of vis vis ion and to pr p rovi ov ide the th e practical practical tool too ls and s kills neces s ary ary to bring bring you y our r vision into reali reality. ty . You You were were born b orn to t o achieve ac hieve s ometh omethiing s igni gn ificant, can t, and you yo u were were des de s tined to t o make make a diff difference erence in your yo ur generation. Your life is not a divine experiment, but a project of Prov Proviidence den ce to fulf ulfill a pur pu rpos po s e that th at you y ourr generation generation needs need s . This This perso pe rson n al purpo pu rposs e is is the th e sou s ource rce of your yo ur visi vis ion and an d gi g ives ve s meani ean ing to your yo ur li life. I therefore therefore enco en courage urage you yo u to t o bel b eliieve ev e in in your you r daydr dayd reams eams and to reconnect with your y our pass pas s ion; your you r vis vis ion awai awaits ts your yo ur action action.. You Yourr futu futurre is is not no t ahead ah ead of you—i you —itt lies within you. you . See See beyon bey ond d your yo ur eyes and live for the uns u ns een. Your vision determines your destiny.
Introduction: Li fe wi w i th thou outt Vi Vi sion si on In the th e mi mid-twentieth centu cen tury, ry, in in Bangkok, an gkok, Thailand Thailand,, the th e governm go vernment ent wanted ante d to bui bu ild a large large high highw way through throug h a vi v illage. Yet in in the th e path pat h of o f the pl p lanned ann ed road was a Bud Buddh dhiis t mon monas astery tery with a li little chapel, s o they t hey had to relocat elocatee the th e mon monas astery— tery— includ ncludiing a heavy hea vy,, eleven eleven--foot oo t clay statu s tatuee of Bud Buddh dha—to a—to anoth ano ther er place. place. Us Us ing a crane, the gov g overnm ernment ent workers orkers mov moved ed the monas monas tery tery in secti s ections ons . When the worker orkerss trans transported ported the th e s tatue tatu e of Bud Buddh dhaa to the t he new n ew locati ocat ion and a nd began b egan to lower lower it into into place, however, ho wever, the cl c lay on o n th t h e sta s tatu tuee sta s tarted rted to t o crum cru mble and fall fall off. off. The peop pe oplle were were afrai afraid d becau b ecauss e thi th is was a preciou preciouss reli eligious s ymbo ymboll to them the m, and they the y di d idn’ dn ’t want it to t o be be destroyed des troyed.. Yet Yet the t he more more the worker orkerss tried tried to place place the th e statu s tatue, e, the th e more more it fell fell apart ap art un u n til, til, event eve ntua uallly, all the th e clay was fall falling off. off. Sudden Sudd enlly, the th e work workers ers stared s tared in amaz amazem ement ent becau be causs e, as the t he clay clay fell fell away, som so methi eth ing unex un expec pected ted was reveal revea led: ed : The s tatue tat ue was pur pu re gol go ld und u nder erneat neath. h. Bef Before ore the statu s tatuee was was moved, ov ed, peop pe oplle thou th ough ghtt it was was worth abo a bout ut fifty fifty tho t hous us and an d doll d ollars ars.. Today, Today , that gol g olden den Buddh ud dhaa is is worth mi millions on s and, and , becaus e of the story s tory behind behind it, it, is vi v is ited by hund h undrreds of thousands thous ands of peop pe oplle every ev ery year. ye ar. This This s tory il illus trates that t hat what we can see s ee is is not no t neces s ari arily what ha t reall really is. is . I bel be lieve that th at many an y of o f us are li living as clay clay ves s els els when, in in reali reality, ty , we we are pure pu re gold ins ins ide. Our li lives do
not no t refl reflect who we truly truly are a re or wha whatt we can be. be . I travel arou around nd the world world s peaking peaking to variou variouss groups group s , and I meet meet peop p eoplle on every every conti con tinent nent who have hav e no s ense ens e of pers pers onal purpose. purpos e. I s ee them struggling with aimless or misdirected lives. A lack of purpos pu rposee and an d unfulf u nfulfiilled poten po tential tial is epidemi epidemic in our ou r world. orld. Yet Yet jus jus t as the gol go ld s tatue tatu e was hi h idden dd en insi ins ide the t he clay one, on e, the “gol “g old” d” insi ins ide each e ach of o f us is waiti aiting ng to be revealed. revealed. This This gol go ld is the t he dr d reams eams we have—or hav e—or once had—f h ad—for or our li lives that tha t are are not no t yet reali reality, the gi g ifts and talent talentss that tha t we we have hav e not yet devel dev elop oped, ed, the th e purpos p urposee for our li lives that is not no t yet y et fulf fulfilled, the th e “som “s omething” ething” we’ve we’ve always always wanted to be or o r do but bu t for som so me reason eas on have h ave not no t been able able to accom acco mpli plis h. No mat matte terr who you y ou are or wha whatt coun co untry try you y ou live in, you yo u have hav e a person p ersonal al pur pu rpos po s e, for for every hum hu man bei b eing ng is bor bo rn with with one. on e. God God created created each person perso n with with a uni un ique qu e vision. He He has tremend tremendou ouss plans plans for you that t hat no n o one o ne els els e can accom acco mpli plis h. The tragic thing is that t hat many an y peop p eoplle li live the t heiir who wholle li lives with withou outt ever eve r reco recogn gniizing thei th eirr visions . How do you y ou remov emovee the th e clay clay and an d unco u ncover ver the gol g old d within within you? yo u? Your ou r dream dreamss , talent talentss , and des ires can be refi efined in a proces pro ces s o f disco dis cove veri ring ng and an d fulfi fulfillin g you y ourr life’s fe’s v is ion s o tha t hatt the pure p ure gold of your unique and an d person p ersonal al gif gifts to thi t hiss world orld can shi s hine ne forth. forth. Helpi elping ng you yo u captu ca pturre and an d fulf fulfill your yo ur vis vis ion is the pur pu rpos po s e of thi th is book. bo ok. My ow o wn life’ life’ss vision is the th e trans form formation of o f foll followers into nt o leaders ead ers and an d the th e max maxiimizati at ion of indi ind ividual vidu al
pote po tent ntiial, and an d I’m I’m excited excited abo a bout ut the th e pote po tent ntiial with withiin you y ou righ rightt now no w. Every Every per p erss on is a leader leader in in hi h is or her own vision vision,, becaus e that th at perso p erson n is is the th e onl on ly one o ne who can c an imagine, imagine, nurture, nu rture, and an d fulfi fulfilll it. What is is your you r vis vis ion? What W hat have h ave you yo u alw always wanted to t o do? d o? What is your you r heart’ heart’ss desi des ire? What Wh at is is your you r dream dream?? When W hen you can begi beg in to s ee you y ourr vis vis ion clearl clearly, y, you y ou wil will be abl ab le to fulfi fulfilll your yo ur li life’s purpos p urpos e. What Wh at does d oes it mean mean to t o capture cap ture the vis vis ion for your you r li life? Ted Engs ng s trom, trom, the form former presi pres ident den t of o f Worl Wo rld d Vis ion, on , tol to ld a s tory to ry that th at went s ometh omethiing like thi th is : A litt littlle gi g irl was on a cruis cruis e ship, s hip, and s he and an d her he r father wer weree stan s tandi ding ng on o n the th e deck. It was a beau be autif tiful ul clear clear day, day , and an d the t he ai a ir was cri c riss p and an d fres fresh. h. The litt littlle gir girl, stand st andiing on tipto tiptoe, e, sai s aid d to t o her fath father er,, “I can’t see s ee anything.” any thing.” The fathe fatherr pick picked ed her h er up and put pu t her h er on his s houl hou lders, so that s he was was hi h igher than everyon everyonee els els e on the deck and was abl ab le to see s ee everything around her h er.. “Dadd “Daddy!” y!” she sh e excl exclai aim med. ed . “I can s ee farther than th an my eyes ey es can look oo k!” That little little gir girl’s s tatement tatement captures capt ures the ess es s ence of vis vis ion: on : the abi a billity to t o s ee farthe fartherr than your yo ur phys phy s ical eyes can look—to look—to s ee not no t jus jus t what is is , but bu t als als o what can be b e and to t o mak makee it it a reali reality. ty . Vi Vis ion is a conce co ncept ptiion that th at is ins pired pired by God in the t he heart hea rt of a human human.. The The gr g reates eat estt gi g ift God God ever ev er gave hum hu mani an ity is not no t si s ight, gh t, but vi v is ion. on . Si Sight gh t is is a fun functi ction on of the eyes , but bu t vision vision is a fun functi ction on of o f the heart. h eart. You can ca n have ha ve si s ight gh t but bu t no vis vis ion. on . Throug Throughou houtt his his tory, progres progresss has been made made onl on ly by people who have hav e “seen” “s een” thi t hing ngss that were ere not no t yet ye t here. Vi Vis ion is s eeing the th e future futu re befor be foree it it com co mes into nt o bei b eing ng.. It is is a men mental tal picture pictu re of your yo ur des de s tiny. tiny . God gave ga ve hu h u mani an ity the th e gift gift of o f visi vis ion
s o we wou woulld not n ot have h ave to t o live live only o nly by what we see. se e. The The words words vis vis ion and revelation evelation are som s ometi etim mes us ed interchangeab nterchan geablly. To reveal means ean s to unveil un veil.. Som Someth ethiing that th at is unv u nvei eilled was there th ere all all alon along g but b ut could co uld not be s een external externallly. Cons on s ider this analogy: The des tiny tiny of an acorn ac orn is is a tree. By By faith, aith, you yo u can s ee the th e tree wi within the s eed. You You have hav e a vision vision o it in in you y ourr mi mind’ nd ’s eye becaus b ecaus e you yo u know the pote p otential ntial in the t he s eed. The s ame ame thi th ing is true for for you and me. God God has given us us birth birth for a purpo pu rposs e, and as far as God is conc co ncerne erned, d, that th at purpo pu rposs e is is alread already y finis finishe hed d beca b ecaus us e He has ha s placed place d with withiin us us the poten po tenti tial al for ful fulffilling it. We can s ee that th at purpos p urposee thr th rough ou gh faith. aith. To par p araph aphrrase as e the th e Bi Bible, faith aith is the s ubs ub s tance tan ce of things you hope hop e to accompl accompliis h, the evidence evidence of things things you can see s ee even when other oth erss cannot. cannot . Onl Only y by b y seei s eeing ng what is is not yet her h eree can you yo u bri b ring ng s ometh omethiing new, creative, creative, and exci exciting ting int into o existence. For true vi v is ionari on aries es,, the th e imag imagiinar na ry world orld of thei th eirr vis vis ions on s is more real to them th em than th an the th e concrete co ncrete reali reality around aroun d the t hem m. In In fact, a vision visionary’ ary’ss vis vis ion is his his reali eality. There is is a story s tory abou ab outt when Dis ney Wor Wo rld had h ad jus jus t opened op ened and had onl on ly one o ne ride. ride. Walt Walt Dis ney was s itting tting on o n a bench b ench on o n the th e grounds , seemi seeming to jus justt s tare int into o s pace. pac e. One One of o f his workers, workers, who who was manicuring anicuring the th e grass , came came pas p astt hi h im and s aid, aid, “How “How are are you y ou,, sir?” sir?” Wi W ithout tho ut look oo king at the t he man, he s aid, aid, “Fine,” “Fine,” and kept on s taring taring.. So So the t he man s aid, aid, “Mr. Di Dis ney, ney , wha whatt are you y ou doi do ing?” ng ?” “I’m look oo king at my mou mount ntai ain,” n,” he ans a ns wered wered.. “I s ee the th e mou mount ntai ain n righ rightt there. th ere.”” Walt told told hi h is architects architects about abo ut thi t hiss mountain. ou ntain. As he talked, talked, they wrote dow d own n what he s aid, aid, and then th en they th ey dr d rew up the pl p lans. ans .
Walt died died bef b efore ore Space Space Mou M ounta ntaiin was bui bu ilt, so s o he h e never nev er saw it it cons tructed. tructed. When Space Mountai Mou ntain n was dedi ded icated, the governor go vernor and the mayor ayo r wer weree pr p resent es ent,, and Walt’s Walt’s widow do w was was als als o ther th ere. e. One One of o f the young you ng men s tood up to introdu introduce ce her, and s aid, aid, “It’s “It’s a pity that th at Mr. Walt Di Dis ney is not no t here today tod ay to s ee this t his mou mount ntai ain, n, but bu t we’re we’re glad glad his wife wife is is here.” Mrs. Mrs . Di Dis ney ne y walk alked up u p to t o the t he pod p odiium, um, loo look ked at a t the th e crowd, and s aid, aid, in in effect, effect, “I mus t corr co rrect ect this t his you y oung ng man. Wal Wa lt already already s aw the th e mounta ou ntaiin. It It is you y ou who are are jus justt now n ow seei s eeing ng it.” The most powerful force in life is the force of vision. A youn yo ung g man man di d id a coll college paper p aper in in hi h is econom econ omiics clas classs on his his vision for overnight mai maill. The The prof p rofes esss or took too k a red pen, pen , gave ga ve him a “C,” “C,” and wrot wrote, e, “Do “Do not n ot dream of thi th ings ng s that th at cann ca nnot ot happen hap pen.” .” The young you ng man man lef leftt scho s chool ol and s tarted Federal Federal Express pres s . I wonder wond er where where the th e pr p rofess ofes s or is is today to day.. You Yourr vis vis ion determ determines your you r destiny. destiny. When Wh en you yo u can s ee what what is pos po s s ible ble and believe believe that t hat it can come come to pas s , it it mak makes es you yo u capable cap able of doi do ing the impos po s s ible. ble. A t age a ge thi th irteen, rteen , I wrot wrotee down d own my vi v is ion for my my life. I carried carried it with with me all throug th rough h junior high and an d hi h igh s chool. cho ol. Much Mu ch of o f what I’m doi do ing right gh t now n ow was was on paper pap er when when I was was a you y oung ng teenager. Vision makes you persistent. Once you know what you yo u reall really want and can “see” “s ee” it, then, then , no matter what what comes comes agai aga ins t you, yo u, you yo u neve n everr give up. up . Pers Pers is tence ten ce in in fulfi fulfillling one’s on e’s life pur pu rpos po s e comes comes from vision vision.. As long on g as a person pers on can hold h old on to his vi v is ion, on , then ther the re is is alw always a chance chan ce for him him to move ov e out ou t of his his present pres ent circum circumss tances tan ces and tow to ward the th e fulf fulfiillment of his his purpose.
I believe believe with all all my heart h eart that th at when you yo u have h ave no vision, you yo u wil will s imply reli relive the t he pas pa s t with with its disapp disa ppointm ointment entss and fail failures. ures . Therefore, Therefore, vis vis ion is the th e key to your yo ur fut future. ure. Think Think about abo ut what happen hap penss to t o som s omee foo footba tballl teams teams that are are los losiing the t he game game at halftim halftime. e. The players go to the th e locker room oo m and an d meet with the th e coach. The coach chang ch anges es certain certain game game strategi s trategies es and gives them th em a pep p ep tal t alk k, tell telling them th em what the t hey y can ca n accom ac compli pliss h. When Wh en they t hey come come back out, their whol ho le attitude and an d perspec p erspecti tive ve s eems eems to have h ave changed, chan ged, and they win the t he game. game. No mat matte terr where you yo u are in in life, life, and an d regardl rega rdles esss of how ho w old or o r youn yo ung g you y ou are, are, it it can be “hal “h alfftim time” for you. yo u. You You can reass reas s ess es s your yo ur li life’s fe’s s trategi trateg ies and an d focus focu s on fulfi ulfilling your yo ur purpos purpo s e. This This book bo ok wi will hel he lp you y ou to make the nece n ecess s ary adj ad jus tmen tments ts in you y our r life so s o you y ou can know how to plan for for the future and s top maki aking the s ame ame mi mis takes and an d deci d eciss ions on s that have hav e hi h inder nd ered ed you yo u in in the th e past. pas t. It It wil will ans wer crucial crucial ques qu esti tion onss , s uch as a s thes the s e: How can I know what my my vision is ? W hat do I do if I have multi multiple ple int interes erests ts?? What Wh at ar a re s ome ome s trategies trategies for over ov ercom comiing hind hindrrances to my vi v is ion? on ? How can I set se t the t he righ rightt pri p riori orities ties for my my life? life? W hat s hould ho uld I do when othe ot hers rs critici criticizze my my dream d ream?? How can I make make my my vi v is ion a conc co ncrete rete reality reality?? By the t he ti t ime you y ou finish finish thi th is book, bo ok, you yo u wil will be able a ble to s ay, ay , “I
can s ee farth farther er than my eyes ey es can look oo k!” You You wil will be able a ble to s ee not no t jus jus t what what is, but also what can be, so that you yo u can fulf fulfill your yo ur pers pers onal on al vis vis ion. on . —Myl —My les Munro Mu nroee
Part I What Is Vi si on?
Chapter hap ter One
Vi sion: si on: Th The Key to Fu F ul fi l l i ng Your Your Lif Li fe’s Purpose God has placed wi within each person perso n a vis vis ion that is des igned gn ed to t o gi g ive purpos p urpos e and meaning to life.
Years ago, ago , during during the th e Chri Chriss tmas tmas s eason eas on,, my my wife wife and I took to ok our ou r chil children to t o a large toy to y s tore. to re. At the th e time, time, my my s on Chairo hairo was about abou t four years years old, old, and his his eyes lit up when he h e spott s potted ed a rocki rocking horse. ho rse. He cli climbed on, on , held held ti t ightly gh tly to the t he ears e ars of o f the th e hor ho rs e, and began beg an to rock back and forth. After a few few mi minutes nu tes,, I tried tried to t o get g et hi h im off, off, but he becam b ecamee angry. an gry. When Wh en we were were abou ab outt ready to t o leave, he was s till till havi hav ing a wonderf wond erful ul tim time on that th at rocki rocking horse, ho rse, s o we let hi h im continue con tinue whil while we walk walked throug th rough h the s tore one last as t time time and told our ou r daugh dau ghter ter it it was ti t ime to go. go . When Wh en we came came back, b ack, Chai ha iro was was rocki rocking even ev en faster. fas ter. By By then t hen,, he had been goi g oing ng for about half half an an hour, h our, and he was s oaki oaking wet with s weat. As I watc watched hed him, him, I felt felt as a s if God God was s aying to me, “That’s “Tha t’s how ho w mos mos t peo p eople ple li live. They’re Th ey’re work workiing hard, ha rd, s weating weating hard, but bu t they t hey’’re maki making ng no real progress prog ress in lif life. They’re They’re not no t goi g oing ng anyw any where.” here.” Our worl world d is fil filled with with peop pe oplle who are a re bus y but b ut not no t ultim ultimately effective effective or satisfi s atisfied. ed. They Th ey are doi do ing much, uch , expen expending ding ti t ime and an d energy, en ergy, but bu t gett g ettiing littl tt le of o f value value accompli accompliss hed. hed . Con Conss equent equ entlly, they th ey s pend pen d thei the ir li lives toili toiling away away but b ut never nev er mak makiing any headw head way.
Where Are You Going in Life? Cons on s ider thes th esee s tatistics of Am A merican erican empl employ oyees ees::* Nearly Nearly 50 percent pe rcent of all all U.S. U.S. workers workers feel overw ov erwhe hellmed by by a growing growing num nu mber of job job tas ks and longer on ger work workiing hours ho urs.. —Fami —Families and an d Work W ork Institu Ins titute te,, 2001 001 Eighty-ei gh ty-eigh ghtt per p ercent cent of employees employees s ay they t hey have hav e a har h ard d ti t ime uggli ug glin n g work wo rk and an d life. life. —Aon —Ao n Con Conss ulting, ulting , 2000 000 Only Only 48 percen pe rcentt of o f worker workerss aged ag ed 35–44 35–44 are sat s atiis fied fied with with their th eir jo bs , down do wn from from nearly nearly 61 p ercent ercen t in 199 1995. Olde Olderr worker workerss , aged age d 55–64, –64, als als o ex e xpress pres s a low lev level el of satisfaction s atisfaction.. Only Only abou ab outt 48 percent s ay they t hey are are sati s atiss fied. —Con —Confer feren ence ce Boa Board, rd, 200 2002 2 In all income areas, satisfaction levels have fallen since 1995. —Con —Confer feren ence ce Boa Board, rd, 200 2002 2 These Thes e statistics s tatistics s how ho w that tha t a num nu mber of peopl peo plee in in the th e Uni United ted States are are s truggling truggling with job and life s atis atis faction action is s ues. ues . It’s It’s dis dis heartening to work hard and not no t receive receive s atis atis faction action and fulfi fulfilllment en t from your yo ur work. work. What Wh at abo ab o ut your yo ur own life? life? Wha W hatt are are you usi us ing your y our preci precious ous energy energy on? o n? What W hat are you accompli accompliss hing? Do Do you yo u get up u p ever eve ry day with a sens s ens e of anticipation anticipation and an d meaning meaning becaus beca usee you yo u know you’re you’re doi do ing what you yo u were were bor bo rn to t o do? d o? Do you y ou feel that th at you y ourr work work is a
match atc h for your you r abili abilities and an d perso p ersona nallity? ty ? Or are you pouri po uring ng your yo ur li life int into o yo y o ur job job with withou outt feeling feeling fulfi fulfillled or hav h aviing much uc h to s how ho w for it? it? Have you yo u been b een s pendi pen ding ng your yo ur li life helping helping to make som s omeo eone ne else rich rich whil while you y ou are left left with with littl tt le or o r nothing not hing?? Have you yo u secretl s ecretly y thou th ough ghtt you yo u were were meant meant to do s ometh omethiing s igni gn ificant can t in li life, but bu t you y ou don’t do n’t know wha whatt it is is ? One of o f the th e dilem dilemm mas of contem con tempo porar rary y soc s ociiety s eems eems to be a lack of mean meaniingful ng fulne ness s and purpos pu rposee in in everyd e veryday ay life. Some Some peop pe oplle are acute acu telly aware that th at the t hey y aren’t aren ’t fulf fulfiilling their th eir pote po tent ntiial. They The y dread d read Mon M onda days ys and an d live live for fo r the th e weeken weekends ds becau be causs e they th ey hat h atee their th eir work. work. Th Th eir whol who le li lives ve s s eem cente cen tered red arou around nd the onl on ly two days day s they are fr free from from the trapped feeli eeling they th ey ex e xperi pe rienc encee at work. work. They They long on g to t o purs p ursue ue their t heir own interests nteres ts and tal t alents ents . In Wai Wa iting ting for the Week W eekend end,, author auth or Witold Rybczyns ki wrote, wrote, For man many y peo p eople ple weekend weekend free free ti t ime has ha s becom be comee not no t a chance chan ce to escape es cape work but bu t a chance ch ance to t o create work work that is more meani ean ingful— ng ful—to to work at recreation—i recreation —in n order o rder to reali realize the t he perso pe rson n al s ati at is factions faction s that th at the t he workplace workplace no n o longe lon gerr offers.* Other th er people peo ple are are fairl fairly y cont co nten entt with with thei th eirr li lives , but they th ey have a vague vagu e sens s ensee that there shoul sho uld d be b e more more signif signifiicance to life than tha n they th ey are experi experien enci cing ng.. Stil Stilll others oth ers live on a s urface urface level, pur pu rs uing uing a seri s eries es of emotional emotional high highss that tha t leave them th em empt empty y and an d cons co ns tantly tan tly searching s earching for the th e next next thri th rilll that th at mi might gh t s atis atis fy them. them. Nei Neither ther of thes th esee gr g roups ou ps of people peo ple real realiizes that hidden hidd en with withiin them th em is the th e key to living a more more ful fu lfil fillin g life than th an they th ey ever e ver im imagined. agined .
Wheth Wh ether er they are are s atis atis fied or dis dis s atis atis fied with thei the ir li lives , the th e event ev entua uall goal go al of mos mos t peo p eople ple is is retirem retirement ent.. Yet Yet were we born bo rn jus jus t to go throu th rough gh certai certa in life life ri rituals—fi tu als—find nd a job job,, get marri arried, buy bu y a hou h ouss e, rai raiss e children, children, chang cha ngee job jobss or careers careers , retire—an retire—and d th t h en die? Or is there th ere more more to t o life? life? No Reas Reas on for Living If you as k peopl peo ple, e, “Why do you yo u exi exis t?” mos mos t canno can nott tell you. yo u. They can’t expl explai ain n their pur pu rpos po s e in the th e world. world. They have hav e no vision for thei th eirr li lives ve s . Do you yo u have a sens s ensee of pers pers onal purpose? purpos e? Do Do you know why you were ere born? Does Does your you r purpose purpos e give give you yo u a pass p ass ion for living? You may ask as k me, me, “Do I reall really y need n eed to have ha ve a reason reas on for my ex e xis tence?” ten ce?” My ans an s wer is , Abs olutely! Li Life is is intend nt ended ed to have hav e mean meaniing; ng ; you y ou were were not no t born b orn just jus t for the fun of o f it. If If all all you yo u hav h avee to look oo k forwar forward d to t o after work workiing for years ye ars for other oth er peop pe oplle is is a gol go ld watch watc h and an d a pen p enss ion, on , then the n yo y o ur li life is is a tragedy traged y in the th e maki making ng.. You You can know no w why you y ou exi exis t, and you yo u can experience a remarkable life in light of that knowledge. Life does do esn’t n’t have hav e to be an aim aimless es s , repet repetiitive tive exer exerci ciss e, becaus e you yo u were not no t des d esiigned gn ed to s imply ride ride a rocking rocking horse. ho rse. You You were were meant to be b e goi go ing s omew omewhere, here, to be b e headed head ed tow to ward ard a destination. Living with withou outt a Dream Dream When Wh en I speak sp eak to gr g roups ou ps of peopl peop le about abo ut vi v is ion, on , whet whether her it’s it’s in the t he contex con textt of o f busi bus ines s , governm gov ernment ent,, or the church, ch urch, I alw always emph emphas asiize the t he foll following owing truth becau be causs e I bel be lieve it is crucial crucial for for
each one of us to understand u nderstand:: The poor poo rest es t person in the th e worl world d is a per p erss on without tho ut a dr d ream. eam. Maybe Mayb e you’ you ’ve never nev er know no wn what what you y ou wanted to t o do with your yo ur li life. Or maybe ay be you y ou had a dream once on ce but b ut los t si s ight gh t of o f it through di d is couraging couraging cir circums cums tances or the busynes bus ynes s of dayto-day to -day living. living. No matt matter er how ho w muc much h mon money ey you yo u may may have, ha ve, if you yo u don d on’t ’t have hav e a clear vision for your you r life, you yo u are truly truly poo p oorr. It It has been s aid aid that th at if if you yo u don’t do n’t kno know w where you’ you ’re going, any road will take take you y ou ther the re. What’ What ’s worse, you y ou won’ on ’t even ev en know no w when you yo u have h ave arri arrived. ved . Unl Unles esss you yo u have h ave a defi d efini nite te idea idea of o f where you want to t o go, go , the chances chan ces that tha t you yo u wil will get there t here are are remote. The problem problem is that tha t mos mos t peopl peo plee have hav e no vi v is ion beyo b eyond nd thei th eirr curr cu rrent ent circum circumss tances tan ces.. With Withou outt a vi v is ion of the future, futu re, life loses os es its meaning. An abs ab s ence of o f meaning then th en leads to a lack lack of hope. hop e. Whenever When ever peopl peop le are hopeless about abo ut their t heir life s ituations tu ations , they can becom be comee resent rese ntfful of thei th eirr jobs ob s or fam famiilies. es . They feel as if they th ey ar a re wasti wast ing thei th eirr li lives , and they t hey s tart li living with a vagu va guee but bu t cons co ns tant inter nte rnal lon longi ging ng for som s omething ething more. more. They may even e ven s top to p parti p artici cipa pating ting in li life in in any an y si s igni gn ifican ficantt way. o matter matter how ho w much much money on ey a person perso n may may have, h ave, anyon any onee who lives like thi th is is poor. po or. A vi v is ionl on less es s life is is a pov p overty-s erty-stri trick cken en existence. Yet if if you yo u can s ee beyon bey ond d you y ourr pres present ent cir circums cums tances tanc es,, if if you can have hav e hope ho pe for the future, you have tr t rue riches riches,, no matter how ho w much much money on ey you y ou have hav e in in you y ourr bank account. accoun t. That is why the Bible ble encou en courrages us with thes e words words:: “‘I “‘I kno know w the
plans I have ha ve for you,’ yo u,’ declares the t he Lord Lord,, ‘plans to pros pro s per pe r you yo u and not n ot to t o harm you, you , plans plans to gi g ive you yo u hope h ope and an d a future’ future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). It doesn’t matter what you currently have or don’ don ’t have, as long long as you can see s ee what what you yo u coul cou ld have. hav e. This This vision is the t he key to life becaus becau s e where there’s a dream d ream,, there’s hope, ho pe, and where there’s there’s hope, ho pe, ther the re’s e’s faith—and aith—and faith aith is the s ubs ub s tance, tan ce, or fulf fulfillment, ent , of wha whatt you y ou are hoping ho ping for. for. (See (See Hebrews 11:1.) Living with Unfulfilled Dreams Havi av ing a vi v is ion, on , or a dream, dream, is is inherent nh erent in bei b eing ng hum hu man. an . What Wh at is you y ourr dream dream?? What W hat do you yo u imagine imagine yourself yo urself doi do ing? ng ? What do you y ou want to accompl accompliis h? Ar A re you doing doing what you yo u really want to do with your life? Maybe you yo u once had ideas of what what you yo u wanted wanted to be b e and do, and you y ou s til till have thos th osee ideas ideas.. Do Do you yo u see s ee your you rs elf elf beco be com ming a lawye lawyerr and an d sta s tarti rtin n g you y ourr own firm firm?? Do you yo u dream d ream of owning owning a succes s ucces s ful bouti bou tiqu quee where where peop pe oplle are wai waiti ting ng in line to buy the fashions you desi des igned? gned ? Do Do you yo u thi th ink abou aboutt owning a day-care da y-care center cent er that has h as a first first-cl -clas asss curricu curricullum and s ervices ervices tw t wo hun h undred dred children? children? Do you yo u want to t o wri write a nov n ovel el?? Do you yo u im imagine agine yourself yo urself owning owning a pr p ros perous bus bu s ines s and a nd bei be ing abl ab le to give more more mon money ey to t o you y ourr church ch urch?? Do you yo u dream d ream about going back to schoo s chooll and doing doing s omethi omething ng with your y our educat edu catiion and an d acad a cadem emiic abi ab ilities? By the t he end e nd of the th e work week, week, many many of us are very ti t ired. The ques qu esti tion on is , After After exhau exhauss ting ting our ou rs elves elves , are are we any closer clos er to
where he re we we wanted to go? go ? Peopl Peop le have ha ve al a ll kinds nd s of ide ideas as in their t heir minds nd s , but they rarely arely act on them. them. Thi Thiss is the pattern patt ern that often occurs: o ccurs: Fi Five or ten years will go by, by , and they s til till haven’t hav en’t done do ne anyt an ything hing to help reali realize thei th eirr dreams dreams . Twen Twenty ty years yea rs wil will pas pa s s , yet ye t they th ey hav h aven en’t ’t beco bec o me what the t hey y really really wanted want ed to t o be b e or accompli accompliss hed what they the y wanted to bui bu ild or create. create. Whi Wh ile the poo p oorrest es t person pers on in the worl world is is a person perso n witho without ut a dream, dream, the mos t frus frustrated trated person p erson in the world orld is s omeon omeonee who has a dream but bu t does do esn’t n’t kno know w how ho w to bring bring it to pas s . This This is is the th e perso pe rson n whos who s e dream has becom bec omee a ni n ightm gh tmare are of unf un fulfi ulfilled expecta expectati tion onss . When peopl peo plee feel that they are are jus justt wandering wandering throug th rough h li life and wasting as ting thei th eirr poten po tential tial,, thei th eirr des pair can s pill pill over ov er int into o oth o ther er areas areas of thei the ir lives ve s , includ includiing thei th eirr relations relations hips, hips , caus ing addi ad diti tion onal al heartache. These Thes e peopl peop le come come to the th e end of o f their lives drained drained,, rath rather er than compl completed eted,, becaus becau s e ther th ere’ e’ss no relati elation onss hip hip between b etween thei th eirr job jobss and thei the ir vis vis ions on s ; there’ th ere’ss no relati elation onss hip hip between thei t heirr pres present ent cir circums cums tances tance s and thei the ir dreams. It’s depr dep ress es s ing and an d frus frustrati trating ng to t o have hav e an idea idea for years that t hat you haven’t yet s een come come to pas p asss . Are Are you weary eary of o f having having high high ex e xpectati pect ation onss that tha t never nev er work out? ou t? Maybe May be by b y now no w you yo u have hav e s o many unf un fulf ulfilled dreams dreams that tha t it hur hu rts too much to dream anym any more. Perhap Perhapss you yo u started s tarted to pursu p ursuee your yo ur vis vis ion, on , but you yo u got go t si s idetracked detracked or o r s ometh omethiing went wron wrong, g, and you y ou abando aban doned ned it—there was wasn’t n’t enoug eno ugh h mon money, ey, it it was too tim timecons con s umi uming, ng , peopl peop le were were work working against agains t you y ou,, your you r day job becam be camee too to o dem d eman anding ding,, or your yo ur fam famiily said s aid it it woul wou ld nev n ever er s ucceed. ucceed . Since Since continui co ntinuing ng to t o pur pu rs ue your yo ur dream dream was s o
diffi difficult, cult, you yo u backed b acked off o ff,, saying s aying,, “Forget “Forget it! I’m I’m not no t going g oing to t o try t ry to be what I reall really want to be. be . I’m I’m goi go ing to get a ‘regu ‘regullar’ job with a secu s ecure re salary salary and an d sett s ettlle dow do wn. I’m I’m goi go ing to live live as a normal person with normal friends in a normal house with a norm no rmal al paychec payc heck k and an d be b e buri b uried ed in a norm no rmal al grave.” grave .” Born to t o Be Di Dis tinct You will never ne ver be s atisfied atisfied living that t hat way becau be causs e you y ou were were not no t created to be “no “ norrmal.” al.” You You were ere des d esiigned gn ed by b y God God not no t to to blend in, but bu t to s tand ta nd out. ou t. Think of the th e thou th ouss ands an ds of ki kinds nd s of flowers flowers in the t he worl world. They Th ey are all all flowers, flowers, but b ut each one on e is uni un ique qu e in in its s pecies. Think Think of a forest forest.. At fir firs t gl g lance, the th e trees all all s eem to blend blend togethe tog etherr. When you yo u get g et clos closer, er, how ho wever, you yo u s ee that the t he shap s hapee of each tree is is uni un ique. qu e. Every type typ e of tree has leaves with a disti dist inct des d esiign. gn . Why? Wh y? Uniqu Uniquenes enes s is part of God’s od ’s creation creation.. Indi nd ividu vidual al des ign is as true of hum hu manity anity as it is of o f nature. God does n’t want want any an y one o ne per p erss on to get g et los lostt in in the th e mi midst ds t of everyon eve ryonee els els e. There are are over ov er six bill billion people peo ple on the t he pl p lanet— ane t— and not no t one on e of them has your yo ur fi finger ng erpri prints nts . We can becom b ecomee compl complacent acent abo a bout ut thi t hiss aston as toniis hing truth, yet it it is is s omething omething we mus t cont co ntiinual nu allly remi remind ourselves ou rselves of si s ince nc e it it is is easy eas y to feel los t in the t he crowd. crowd. Som Somee peop p eoplle may may cons con s ider you yo u to t o be “j “ just us t anothe ano therr person,” perso n,” but they are wr wrong. on g. Don Don’’t ever ev er all allow anyone anyo ne to caus e you yo u to t o think t hink of your you rs elf elf as or o rdinary. dinary. If If anyone anyon e mak makes es you yo u feel less es s than th an you y ou are, jus t loo look k in the t he mi mirror rror and s ay, “You “You original thing, you.” You are one of a kind, irreplaceable, original original.. There is is no one on e else like you y ou on the th e earth. earth . God God made ad e
you yo u that th at way way becaus bec aus e He He wante wanted d you yo u to be b e perpetually perpetually rare. rare. In econom econ omiics, cs , the value of som s omething ething is determi determined by how ho w rare rare it is is . For exam example, ple, real real pearls pearls are cos tly becau b ecauss e they t hey are found foun d only o nly in in a s mall all num nu mber of moll mollus us ks , and they th ey mus mus t be be s earched for. When Wh en you yo u buy bu y a real diam diamon ond, d, it it is expen expenss ive becau be causs e no two di d iamon amonds ds in the t he world world are alik alike. Gold Gold is is cos co s tly becau be causs e it it is is diffi difficu cullt to find find.. It is is the th e sam s amee way with with oil; oil; it it doe d oess not no t (usua (us uallly) jus jus t spri s pring ng up in you y ourr backyard. ba ckyard. You general gen erallly have hav e to di d ig deep d eep to find it. Sim Similarly, arly, God God wanted you yo u to be perpetu perpe tual allly valuabl valuab le, so s o He made ad e you yo u perm p ermane anent ntlly rare. rare. He He created you yo u as one on e of a ki kind. nd . If If you go to a s ale ale at a dis dis count s tore, you’ you ’ll notice that many many of the dr d ress es s es, es , s por po rts coats coat s , or ties ties on the t he racks racks are are jus justt ali alike. You’l ou ’lll s ee twenty twent y items items of clot clothing hing with with the th e sam s amee patte pa ttern rn and color. color. They They’’re inex inexpen penss ive becaus becau s e they th ey were ere mas masss produced. produ ced. If you yo u want an origi original nal dres dresss , however, however, you have h ave to t o go g o to a designer. You are not lik like mas masss -prod -produc uced ed clothi cloth ing; ng ; God God has not no t placed you yo u on o n a sale s ale rack. rack. You are Des Desiignergn er-m made. ad e. Born with with a Uniq Uniq ue Vis ion God not no t onl on ly created each eac h per p erss on on earth wi with a dis dis tinct tinct desi des ign, gn , but He als als o pl p laced in everyone everyon e a uni un ique qu e vision vision.. No No perso pe rson n can ca n gi g ive you y ou thi th is visi vis ion. on . It It is only o nly God God-gi -give ven. n. You You can go to as many s emi eminars as pos po s s ible ble and receive eceive all kinds nd s of wonderf on derful ul ins ins truction truction,, but no one on e except except God can gi g ive you y ou the idea de a you y ou were were born b orn to t o fulfil fulfill.
The poor po or man man,, the rich rich man, an , the th e bl b lack man man,, the white white man man— — every eve ry person pers on has a dr d ream in hi h is heart. he art. You Yourr vis vis ion may already already be cl c lear to you y ou,, or it may may s till till be buri b uried ed s o mewhere ewhe re deep in your yo ur heart, h eart, waiting waiting to be discov disc overed. ered. Fulfi Fulfillling thi th is dream is what gives gives pur pu rpos po s e and meaning to life. In In other o ther words words,, the very sub s ubss tance tan ce of li life is is for you to find find God’ od ’s pur pu rpos po s e and fulfi fulfilll it. Until you yo u do d o tha t hat, t, you y ou are not no t really really living living.. God has a dream dream and a vi v is ion for you that’ th at’ss s uppos upp osed ed to carr carry you y ou right gh t out o ut into eter et erni nity ty becaus b ecaus e that’s th at’s what is is pul pu lling it. When you yo u di d ie, you’re you’re meant meant to leave thi th is earth earth not no t on a pens pe ns ion but bu t on o n a purp p urpos os e. You You need ne ed to t o make make sure s ure you yo u can ca n say s ay at the t he end of your yo ur li life, as Jesus Jes us did, “It “It is finish finished” ed” (Joh (John n 19: 19:30) and not no t just, jus t, “I am retired,” retired,” for for your yo ur dream is much uc h bi b igger gg er than tha n mere retiremen retirement. t. Jesus Jesu s s aid, aid, “For this reason reas on I was was bor bo rn, and for this this I came came into nt o the t he world, orld, to tes tify tify to t o the t he truth” truth ” (John 18:37). You mus t have hav e a clear reas reason on for your yo ur li life, as Jesus Jes us did. I know no w what what mine is . I was bor bo rn to rais ais e up leaders and to tr t rain ain them th em s o they th ey can impact pa ct the t heiir entire entire nations na tions for gener gene rations to come. come. That is my reason eas on for li living ving.. I was bor bo rn to t o inspir ns piree and an d dr d raw out the hidd hidden en leader ead er in in every ev ery hum hu man bei b eing ng I meet. eet . When Whe n you y ou are arou around nd me, s udden ud denlly you yo u are going going to t o feel good go od abou ab outt yourself yo urself.. If you yo u s tay arou around nd me lon long g enou en ough gh,, you’ll you’ll s tart being being your yo ur true true s elf elf. Why? Wh y? I was was bor bo rn for that. I was was wired for that. that . What has God wired you for? Born to Be Known Kno wn for Som Somet ething hing
Every hum h uman an bei b eing ng was created to acco a ccom mplis plis h som s ometh ethiing s peci pec ific fic that th at no n o one o ne else can c an accom ac compli pliss h. It It is is crucial crucial for you yo u to underst un derstand and thi t hiss truth: You were ere des igned gn ed to be known for for s ometh omethiing s peci pec ial. al. You You are mean meantt to t o do d o s ometh omethiing that th at wil will make ake you y ou unf un forgettabl orgettab le. You You were ere born b orn to do s omething omething that the th e world world wil will not no t be b e abl ab le to t o ignor igno re. The Bible Bible is is a great Book oo k for recording recording the th e sto s tori ries es of people peo ple who did li little thi th ings ng s that th at the th e world world can’t can ’t forge forget. t. One exam example ple is is Rahab, ah ab, the th e pros titute, titute , who who ris ris ked her h er li life for for people peo ple she s he di d idn’t dn ’t even know. know. She was was born to hide hide Joshua’s Jos hua’s s pies pies s o that th at the Israeli Israelites coul cou ld defeat d efeat Jerich Jericho. o. (See (See Jos Jo s hua hu a 2, 6.) Everyone veryo ne who reads the Old Old Testam Tes tament ent knows abou ab outt her act of courage. In the New Tes Testam tament ent,, there is is the s tory of o f the woman woman who took too k an alabas alabas ter jar jar of perf perfume ume and an d ano a noiinted nte d Jesus Jes us ’ head with with it. This This woman oman was taking taking a chance ch ance by violati violating ng the accepted accept ed s ocial code cod e of the day and interrup nterrupti ting ng a group of men men who had gath ga thered ered for a meal. meal. Yet s he deci dec ided to pour po ur out ou t her h er li life in in gratitud gratitudee to Jesus Jes us , no matter matter what what the t he cons con s equences equ ences . Some Some of thos tho s e present presen t severel s everely y cri critici ticizzed her becaus e she sh e had “wasted” “wasted ” costl cos tly y perfum perfumee on Jesus Jes us when it could could have hav e been s old for for charitable charitable purpos es. es . Yet Yet Jesus Jes us s aid aid to t o them t hem,, “Leave “Leave her alone....I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached througho throug hout ut the world, orld, what what s he has h as done do ne wil will als als o be b e tol to ld, in in memo emo ry of o f her” he r” (Mark (Ma rk 14: 14:6, 9). 9). No No matte at terr how ho w sm s mall the th e act a ct may be, be , if you yo u put p ut your yo ur who wholle li life int into o it, it won’t won ’t be forgott forgo tten en.. A Vision ision for Yo Yo u r Lif Lifee
It is is a deeply dee ply distress dist ress ing fact tha t hat, t, whil whilee we we all all have hav e been bee n given given uni un ique qu e vision visionss , too many many of us bur bu ry our o ur dream dreamss in a less es s er exi exis tence, ten ce, maki making ng ourselves ou rselves a gravey g raveyard ard of o f God God’s ’s precious preciou s treas ure. Perhaps erhaps you are are eighteen eighteen years years old. old. What have hav e you done don e so so far? ar? Have you yo u s pent pen t s o much much tim time trying trying to pleas pleasee you y ourr fr friends end s that you yo u don d on’’t kno know w who you yo u are or what what your yo ur li life is is about? abo ut? If s o, you y ou aren’t doi do ing yours yo ursel elff any favors. favors . You You aren’t fulfi fulfillling your yo ur purpos e. You may say s ay you y ou are are jus justt reacting reacting to “peer “p eer press pres s ure.” In reali reality ty,, you are all allowing owing othe ot hers rs to t o rule your yo ur li life. Maybe you y ou are forty forty years years old. old. What have hav e you done don e so s o far that th at the t he world orld can’t can ’t forget forget?? How lon long g will you yo u dri d rift ft alon along g withou th outt worki working towar to ward d you y ourr dream dream?? Procras Procrastination tination can ca n beco be com me a full full-tim -time occu oc cupa pation tion.. Some Some peop pe oplle are expe experts rts at it. They know no w how ho w to avoi avo id the t he real is s ues ue s of li life wi with precis precis ion. on . They know how to do nothing no thing all day, day , or they know no w how ho w to do do everyth eve rythiing excep exceptt what is reall really impo important rtant.. It’s It’s dep d epress ress ing to be arou a round nd peop pe oplle who are jus jus t exi exis ting, ting , b ut it’s exciti exciting ng to be arou around nd peopl peo plee who who know that they th ey are doing doing what they th ey were were born bo rn to do. d o. Many Man y peop pe oplle s pend pen d a lifeti lifetim me wanderi wand ering ng away from from who God made them t hem to be becaus b ecaus e they th ey have h ave never n ever recog recogni nizzed who they th ey are a re in in the t he first first place. For For exam example, ple, perhaps perha ps you yo u have h ave been be en a s ecretary ecretary for twenty twenty years. years . You You are are at the th e sam s amee level as when you yo u started, s tarted, even thou th ough gh you y ou dream of being being an adm ad ministrator. You s hould ho uld mov movee from from bei be ing a secretary s ecretary to t o an execu executive tive s ecretary, from from an execu executive tive secretary s ecretary to t o an a n admi administrati nist rative ve
ass as s is tant, tan t, and from from an adm ad ministrative nistrative as s is tant to an an admi administrator. nist rator. Peo People ple don’t do n’t fulfi fulfilll thei th eirr vis vis ions on s becau be causs e they th ey have hav e no s ense ens e of desti des tiny ny.. They They s ay, “Well “Well, I have hav e a job job.. I jus t want an t to t o keep it.” Merely Merely holdi h olding ng on to a job job is like treadi tread ing water. Every job job s houl ho uld d put p ut you yo u on o n a tr t rack toward toward a goal go al that tha t is is bigger bigg er than tha n the t he pres p resen entt one o ne s o tha t hatt you y ou can fulfi fulfilll your yo ur visi vis ion. on . We need n eed to t o be b e li like the th e apos apo s tles, who who were kno know wn for their acts , not thei th eirr talk talk. The bibli biblical book boo k about abo ut them th em is called called The Acts of the Apos Ap ostl tles es becaus b ecausee they wer were doers. They They had a des tination, and they th ey were were bus bu s ily worki working towar to ward d it. They weren’t eren’t on a rocki rocking hor ho rs e. Ins Ins tead, tead , they were changi chang ing systems. They were affecting government. They were transfor trans form ming the th e world. world. Nation Nationss were were afraid afraid of them th em,, and tow to wns becam be camee nervo ne rvous us when they th ey s howed ho wed up b ecaus eca us e they th ey were said s aid to have h ave “tu “ turned rned the t he world world ups u ps ide down” d own” (Acts (Act s 17:6 nkjv). nkjv). How do peopl peop le feel feel when you s how up? Do they s ay, “Oh, “Oh, here here she s he comes comes agai aga in. She She probab p robablly has h as anot an other her new idea idea”? ”? Cha Chang ngee wi will alw always ups et peopl peop le who who are content conten t to be s tagnant, tagnan t, but that s houl ho uldn dn’’t stop s top you. yo u. You You s houl ho uld d be known for for your vis vis ion. on . What Your Vision Will Give You It has been s aid aid that th at ther th eree are are three ki kinds nd s of peopl peop le in in the th e world: orld: Fi First, rst , there are thos tho s e who neve n everr seem see m to be aw a ware that tha t things are are happening happ ening arou around nd them t hem.. Second, Second , there are are thos tho s e who as k, “What “Wh at jus justt happen hap pened?” ed?” Third, Third, there are thos tho s e who who make ake things happen hap pen.. I have obs ob s erved erved firs thand the tr t ruth of this this s tatement, tatement,
paraph pa raphras rased ed from John Joh n Stuart Stu art Mill Mill: One perso pe rson n with with visi vis ion is greater than the pas s ive force of ninety-nine ninety-nine peop p eoplle who who are merely erely interested interes ted in doing d oing or o r becom bec omiing s ometh omethiing. ng . Mos Mo s t peop pe oplle have ha ve an a n interes inte restt in in the t heiir d estinies es tinies,, but they th ey hav h avee no pas pa s s ion o r drive drive to t o fulfi fulfill them th em.. They The y don d on’t ’t reall really y beli b eliev evee the th e dreams dreams God has put pu t in in their t heir hearts he arts.. If If they th ey do d o bel b eliieve them th em,, they don’t do n’t do the things that will take them in the t he di d irection ection of fulfi fulfillling them th em.. Yet Yet that th at is what ha t s eparates ep arates the th e peo p eople ple who who make an impact impact in the t he world world and an d tho t hoss e who jus jus t exi exis t on o n the t he pl p lanet. Have you y ou dis dis cover cov ered ed what you y ourr vision vision is ? Find Findiing something you can put your whole self into will fill your life with new hope ho pe and a nd purpos pu rpose. e. It It wil will give you yo u a reason reas on for living. My purpos p urposee has becom beco me my my pas p asss ion. on . It It wakes wakes me up in the th e morning, and an d it keeps me going g oing when he n I’m I’m tired. tired. It is an antidot an tidotee to depress d epress ion. on . It It caus cau s es me to have hav e joy joy in the th e mi mids t of great oppo op poss ition tion becaus becau s e I know no w that what God God has given given me to accompl accompliis h cannot canno t be stopp st opped ed by anyone. any one. When Wh en you y ou discover discov er your vis vis ion, on , it it wil will give give you y ou energy and a nd pas pa s s ion. on . Eccles Ecclesiiaste as tess 9:1 9:10 s ays ay s , “W “Wha hate teve verr your yo ur hand han d find findss to do, do , do it wi with all all your yo ur mi might.” gh t.” The vi v is ion in you y ourr heart is is the th e s park that will enabl enab le you yo u to t o pursu p ursuee your yo ur dream becaus becau s e, unl un less es s you yo u do d o s o with with all your yo ur enthus enth usiiasm as m and s trength, trength , it it wil will not no t happ h appen. en. I beli believe this t his Scri Scriptur ptu re express express es a truth that tha t mos mos t peop pe oplle mi mis s : You accom acc ompli pliss h only o nly what you y ou figh fightt for. A g ain, if if you yo u are a re merel merely y interes int ereste ted d in you y ourr dream, dream, it it wil will neve ne verr come come to pas pa s s . However, Howeve r, if you yo u are wil willing to put pu t all y our ou r energy en ergy into nt o it, then nobo n obody dy can s top it from from s ucceeding. ucceeding.
I believe believe thi th is Scri Scripture pt ure als als o impli implies es that th at if you yo u s et you y our r hands han ds to do s omething, omething, there wil will inevi nev itably be resi es is tance, tance , oppo op poss ition tion,, and dif difficulties culties;; theref t herefore, ore, you yo u have h ave to appl app ly press pres s ure in in order o rder to fulfi fulfill your yo ur dream. dream. Yo Yo u mu mu s t put p ut your yo ur whol ho le mi might gh t beh b ehiind it. Hard Hard work and an d di d iligence gen ce ar a re es s ential en tial ingr ng redients to s ucces s , but they t hey requi equ ire an internal motivation otivation.. That internal nt ernal moti ot ivation va tion is vi v is ion. on . Vision is the primary motivator of human action, and, therefore, therefore, everythi everyth ing we do sho s houl uld d be becaus b ecaus e of the vi v is ion God has placed placed in our ou r hearts. Vi Vis ion influen nfluences ces the way you yo u condu con duct ct your yo ur entir entire li life, s uch as what you y ou s pend pen d you y ourr tim time and money on ey on and what your yo ur priori prioriti ties es are. Without Withou t vi v is ion, on , you have hav e no val v alues ues to gui g uide de you y ourr living ving.. Li Life has no s ens e of dir direction ection.. Activity Activity has no meaning. Tim Time has ha s no pur pu rpos po s e. Resou es ourrces have hav e no appl ap pliication cation.. Vis ion is the th e juice juice of o f li life. It It is the th e prer p rereq equisite uisite for pas s ion and the th e source s ource of pers pers is tence. When you yo u have hav e vis vis ion, you know no w how to stay s tay in the t he race and compl complete ete it. Your Gift Will Make a Way for You How is is the th e fulfi fulfillment en t of o f vision meant ean t to t o work wo rk in practical p ractical terms terms ? Prov Proverbs erbs 18:16 is a powerf p owerful ul stat s tatem ement ent that th at reveals the t he answer: “A man’s gift makes room for him” (nkjv). You were desi des igned gn ed to t o be b e kno know wn for your gift. gift. God God has put pu t a gi g ift or o r talent talent into nt o ev e v ery pers p erson on that th at the th e world world wil will make room for. It is is thi th is gift gift that th at wil will enable ena ble you y ou to fulfi fulfilll your you r visi vis ion. on . It wil will make make a way for you yo u in life. life. It It is in ex e xercis ercis in g this t his gift gift tha t hatt you y ou wil will find find real
fulfi fulfilllment, ent , purpos pu rpose, e, and an d conten con tentm tmen entt in you y ourr work work.. It is is interes nteres ting ting to t o note no te that the t he Bi Bible ble does not s ay that a man’s an ’s educa ed ucation tion mak makes es room for him, him, but that th at hi h is gift gift does d oes . Someho Somehow w we we have h ave s wall allowed the th e idea idea that educati edu cation on is the key to s ucces s . Our Our fam famiilies and s ociety have ha ve reinfor reinforced ced this idea, but bu t we wi will have ha ve to t o chan ch ange ge ou o u r persp pe rspect ectiiv e if if we are are to be trul t ruly y s uccess ucces s ful. ul. Educati Education on is not the key to s uccess ucces s . Don’t Don’t misunderstand me. I believe in education. I’ll talk more about the th e im importance po rtance of o f educat edu catiion s hortl ho rtly. y. Howeve However, r, if educa ed ucation tion were ere the key to s uccess ucces s , then everyone who has h as a Ph.D Ph.D. s houl ho uld d be b e fi financi nan cial allly secure s ecure and happ h appy. y. If you are int intel ellligent ge nt but bu t are not n ot exerci exerciss ing your yo ur gift, gift, you’r yo u’ree proba pro bably bly going g oing to be poo p oor. r. If you’re yo u’re educat edu cated ed but b ut have ha ve not n ot devel dev elop oped ed you y ourr talent, talent, you’r yo u’ree li likely ely to t o be b e depr dep ress es s ed, frus trated, and tir tired; you yo u wil will hate hat e goi go ing to work on Monday Mon day morning orningss . There There are are thos th os e who have ha ve degrees d egrees in finan finance ce who have hav e a hard ha rd time time maki making ng ends en ds meet. eet . Doe Doess n’t it make make you yo u nervou nervouss when peopl peop le who who don’ don ’t have hav e any money try try to tell tell you yo u how ho w to make a mi million d ollars ollars?? Educati du cation on,, in in itsel itse lf, does n’t guarantee gu arantee anyth an ythiing; ng ; it it is you y our r gif gift that is the key to your you r s uccess ucces s . The second seco nd par p artt of Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift...brings him before great men” en ” (nkjv). (nkjv). You You don’t do n’t realiz realize that t hat the th e gi g ift you y ou’r ’ree s itti tt ing on is loaded. oad ed. The worl world won’t mov movee over ov er for for you jus t becaus b ecaus e you’r yo u’ree sm s mart. Whenev Whe never er you exerci exerciss e your yo ur gift, gift, however, ho wever, the th e world world wil will not no t on o n ly make make room for you, yo u, but b ut it wil will also pay pa y you yo u for it. it. Anyo An yone—yo ne—yourself urself included—who discovers disco vers his his or her
gift gift and an d dev d evelop elopss it wil will beco be com me a com co mmo dity. dity . If If you’re yo u’re a youn yo ung g person pers on in high high s chool cho ol or coll college who is is plann planniing you y our r career, don’t do n’t do d o what peop pe oplle say s ay will make ake you y ou wealth wealthy. y. Do what ha t you y ou were were born bo rn to do, d o, becaus bec aus e that th at is where you yo u wil will make your yo ur mon money. ey. No matt matter er how big the th e world world is, there’ th ere’ss a pl p lace for you yo u in it it when you y ou dis dis cover cov er and mani maniffest es t you y ourr gif gift. Mich Michel elang angel elo o pou p oured red his life int into o hi h is art. Tha That’s t’s why we stil s tilll remem remembe berr him him five five hund hu ndred red years y ears after he lived. ved . Beeth Beethov oven en and an d Bach put pu t them t hemss elves elves whol ho lly into nt o thei th eirr work work,, and thei th eirr mus mus ic lives forever. Alexander Graham Bell believed that sound could be con c onve verted rted into int o electri elect rical cal im impul pu ls es and an d trans t rans mitted tt ed by b y wire. wire. o one o ne remem remembe berrs all all the th e peop p eoplle who thou th ough ghtt Bell Bell was crazy; crazy; we remem remember ber onl on ly the th e man man who had h ad vi v is ion enoug eno ugh h to t o create the tel t eleph ephon one. e. Tho Thom mas Edis dis on reportedly wou woulld spen s pend d eigh eightt or nine days da ys s traigh traightt locked locked up u p in a roo room m worki orking on his experi experim ments ent s . He He di d idn’ dn ’t jus t hap h appen pen to make a mi mis take and an d create a ligh lightb tbulb; ulb; he h e had ha d a dream d ream.. Alth Althou ough gh it took to ok him him a lon long g tim time, he believed believed that we coul cou ld har h arnes nes s energy and a nd that tha t it it coul cou ld produce produ ce li light. gh t. Becaus Becaus e he h e bel b eliieved it, he s tayed taye d with with it until un til he s aw the fulfi fulfilllment en t of o f his his vision. That’s Th at’s what makes makes him unforgettable. If you do thi th ings ng s in a halfway halfway mann manner, er, you yo u will probab prob ablly alw always be abl ab le to find s ome ome sort s ort of job job,, yet you yo u are going to be s imply a med mediiocre oc re employe employee. e. It It is when you yo u decide d ecide that th at you y ou’r ’ree goi go ing to find s ometh omethiing that tha t is tr t ruly yours yo urs that you yo u will find your yo ur gift, gift, fulfi fulfilll your yo ur visi vis ion, on , and be remem remembered bered by others ot hers.. Stirring Up Your Gift
Whi Wh ile the th e gift gift is is in us u s , we we have ha ve the t he respo res pons ns ibili bility to s tir it up. up . The apos apo s tle tle Paul wrote to Tim Timothy, oth y, “For this this reason eas on I remi remind you yo u to t o fan into nt o flam flamee the th e gi g ift of Go Go d, which is in you y ou”” (2 Tim Timothy ot hy 1:6). 6). In the th e New Ki King James James Versi ers ion, on , the th e vers v ersee is transl trans lated, ate d, “Stir “Stir up the th e gift gift of o f God.” od .” The gift gift is not n ot s ometh omethiing we learn. learn. It It is is s ometh omethiing God gave ga ve us u s . It It is is s ometh omethiing we need ne ed to di d is cover cov er and then t hen s tir tir up. up . No one on e els els e can activate your yo ur gif gift for you. you . You You have hav e to do it you y ourrs elf elf. You s tir up your yo ur gift gift by deve d evellopi op ing, ng , refi refining, enhanc enh anciing, ng , and us ing it. That’s where educati edu cation on comes comes in. Edu Educati cation on can’t give give you y ou you y ourr gift, gift, but it can help help you y ou develop d evelop it it so s o that th at it it can be us u s ed to t o the t he max maxiimum. um. Prov Proverbs erbs 17:8 7:8 s ays ay s , “A gift gift is is as a precious preciou s s tone to ne in the th e eyes ey es of him that th at hat h ath h it: whith whithers ersoe oeve verr it turneth tu rneth,, it it pros p rospe pereth” reth” (kj (kjv). In In other ot her words, words , a gift gift is lik like a precious preciou s s tone to ne to t o the t he one o ne who wh o has h as it, and an d whenev when ever er he stir s tirss it up, up , it it tur tu rns into nt o pros p rospe peri rity ty.. If If you yo u us u s e your yo ur gift, gift, it wil will pros per you. yo u. Many Man y peop p eoplle are work workiing for money. on ey. That’s Tha t’s an inferior nferior reason reas on to work work. We mus mus t work for the th e vision with withiin us us. Moreove Mo reover, r, you yo u are not n ot to mimic the th e gifts gifts of othe ot herrs . You You are to s tir up your yo ur own gift. gift. Unfortun Unfortunate atelly, man many y peo p eople ple are are ealou ealouss of other peopl peo ple’s e’s gifts gifts.. Let Let me me encourage enco urage you yo u not n ot to waste as te you y ourr time time on jealous y. Jealou Jealouss y is a gi g ift rob robber. ber. It It is is an energy ene rgy drai d rain n that th at wil will always always take away th e pas p asss ion of li life from from you. you . You You s houl hou ld be b e so s o bus bu s y sti s tirrring up your y our gif gift that you don’t do n’t have hav e tim time to be jealou jealouss of anyone anyo ne else or o r to feel s orry orry for yourself. I once read an articl articlee abou ab outt Lou Louiis Arms Arms trong, tron g, the th e jaz jazzz artis artis t,
who repor epo rtedly appl app lied to go to mus musiic scho s chool ol when when he was a young you ng man. At hi h is auditi audition, on, he was gi g iven s cales cales to s ing, but he coul co uld d si s ing only o nly the fir firs t two notes not es properly, properly, and he h e was was told he di d idn’ dn ’t have h ave what it takes takes to be a musi us ician. cian. The s tory s aid aid that he cried cried at firs t becaus b ecaus e he had been rejected ejected from the mus ic pr p rogram og ram,, but that th at he h e tol to ld hi h is fri friends end s afterward, afterward, “I know no w there’ th ere’ss mus ic in in me, me, and the t hey y can’t ca n’t keep keep it out o ut.” .” He He event ev entua uallly becam be camee one on e of the th e mos mos t suc s ucces ces s ful and an d belov b eloved ed jazz jazz mus icians. cians . He sol s old d more records records and made more mon money ey than t han s cores of others ot hers who were more more talented at s ingi ng ing. ng . Now Now he is forever etched etche d in the his his tory of o f mus musiic. What Wh at mad madee the th e di d ifference? fference? Loui ou is Arms Arms trong tron g put p ut his life life int into o the th e gi g ift he knew he had h ad,, and thi th is gift gift mad madee room roo m for him him. He He was an original original,, and he knew ne w it. He He wasn’t was n’t abou ab outt to t o waste was te ti t ime feeli feeling s orry orry for him hims elf. elf. Instea Ins tead, d, he put p ut his energies e nergies into deve de vellopi op ing the th e mus mus ical gift gift with withiin hi h im. Althoug Altho ugh h we are all all born bo rn as original originalss , mos mos t of o f us becom bec omee imitators tat ors.. I us ed to t o think t hink about abo ut becom bec omiing like everyon ev eryonee els els e and joining oining the th e rat race. Yet Yet I soo s oon n realiz realized that th at if all all the th e rats are in a race, and you yo u win, win, you y ou s imply beco b ecom me the t he Big Rat. I recomm ecommend that tha t you yo u get g et out o ut of o f the rat race, s top competing competing with the com c omm muni un ity, stop s top being in in a contes co ntes t with with s ociety, stop sto p tryi trying ng to keep up with the t he Jones es, es , stop sto p trying trying to pl p lease everybo eve rybody dy,, and an d decide, d ecide, “I’m “I’m not no t goi go ing to be b e a rat. rat. I’m I’m goi go ing to find find my own niche. nich e. I’m I’m goi go in g to make room roo m for mys mys elf in the th e world orld by us ing my gift.” gift.” Perhap Perhapss you yo u are fi fiftyty -eigh eight, t, si s ixty-f ty -fiive, seve s event nty y years y ears ol o ld.
You’r ou ’ree loo look king back ba ck over ov er the last fifty fifty years ye ars and an d as king, ng , “What “Wh at have hav e I done don e with with my lif life? What W hat have hav e I contr cont ributed bu ted to the hum hu man race? Wha W hatt have h ave I rreall eally y left left for the next next gene g enerati ration on to know no w that I was was here? I have hav e lef leftt no footpri oo tprint nt in the s ands and s of his his tory.” tory.” Do Do you yo u wis wis h you yo u had had a better b etter under und erss tanding of vision when you y ou were young you nger? er? Are you thi th inking nking,, “I’m “I’m too to o ol o ld now no w. I don’t do n’t have hav e the th e energy en ergy or o r tim time to s tir tir up a gift”? gift”? I am deeply dee ply sorr s orry y that t hat many people peo ple in in the t he world world hav h avee worked worked very ve ry hard h ard al a ll their th eir lives ve s and an d acco a ccom mplis plis hed he d litt littlle. Yet Yet if you yo u bel b eliieve you y ou’’re too to o ol o ld to t o us u s e your yo ur gif gift, you’ you ’re believing believing a lie. We read in the th e Bi Bible that th at God God went to t o people peo ple who who were were alr already pas t retir retirement ement age, and an d He recharged them t hem.. They have hav e beco be com me note no teworth worthy y in history hist ory beca b ecaus us e they th ey s tarted ta rted ove o verr when other oth erss (even they them the ms elves elves ) though thou ghtt thei th eirr li lives were alm almos t over. ov er. (See (See the t he s tori to ries es of Abraha A braham m and Sarah Sarah in Genes ene s is 18:11– 15; 15; 21: 21:1–8, and an d Elizabet ab eth h and an d Zech Zec h ariah in Lu ke 1.) 1.) Yo Yo u r gift will give you y ou your yo ur yout yo uth h back. ba ck. Your ou r gift gift wil will give give you yo u energy en ergy and s trength treng th.. You You’l ’lll be heal hea lthi th ier. You’l ou ’lll s top to p tal t alk king abou ab outt dyi dy ing and s tart talk talking about abo ut living. Realizing Your Vision If you have hav e a dr d ream, eam, or if if you want to dis dis cover cov er your you r vis vis ion, on , remem remembe berr this: this : God God loves ov es dreamers. dreamers. He gi g ives ve s visions , and He is is attracted to peopl peo plee who love to t o dr d ream big. Don Don’’t forget that th at you yo u are unique u nique,, special sp ecial,, and irrep rrepllaceable. acea ble. You are not no t mean meantt to to be lik like anyo an yone ne el e ls e. When Wh en you y ou d ecide to t o be b e part pa rt of the no n o rm, rm, your you r destiny destiny is s hortchanged. God God wants you to s tir tir up the gif gift He has given given you and to devel d evelop op it to the full fullest. es t.
What Wh at is the th e di d ifference fference between bet ween the t he dreamer dreamer who who reali realizes his dream and an d the t he dreamer dreamer who whoss e dream d ream becom bec omes es a ni n ightm gh tmare are of unf un fulf ulfilled hopes ho pes ? The dreamer dreamer who who s ucceeds ucceed s is s omeon omeonee who has a clear clear vis vis ion and acts on it. As long as a person can hol ho ld on to his vi v is ion, on , then ther the re is is alw always a chance chan ce for him him to move ov e out ou t of his his present pres ent circum circumss tances tan ces and tow to ward the th e fulf fulfiillment of his his purpose. If you feel trapped, trapp ed, und u nderem eremploye ployed, d, or underut un derutiilized in you y our r ob; ob ; if if you yo u own your yo ur own own bus bu s ines s and want it to grow; if if you yo u want to know no w how ho w to pur pu rs ue you y ourr goals goals in lif life; if you yo u are the leader ead er of an organiz o rganization ation or group; grou p; if your you r chil children are a re grown or in in s chool cho ol now, and you yo u ar a re cons co nsiidering dering reviving eviving old interes nt erests ts;; or o r whe wherrever ev er you yo u are in in life ri right gh t now no w, The Princ Princiiples and an d Power Po wer of Vi Vis io n wil will enab en ablle you y ou to— to — under und erss tand vis vis ion and an d why it it is is ess es s ential ential to your y our success. dis dis cover cov er and live live out o ut your yo ur purpos e in in lif life. identify dentify your y our vis vis ion’s goal g oalss and s tay on o n course. co urse. overcom ov ercomee obs tacles tacles to t o your yo ur vision vision.. learn the key principles necessary for fulfilling you yo u r li life’s fe’s dream. dream. devel dev elop op a s pecifi pecific pl p lan for achieving achieving your yo ur vis vis ion. on . live the th e life life you yo u were alway alwayss meant ean t to t o live live..
My des ire is is that th at you y ou will be inspir ins pired, ed, mot motiivated va ted,, and challeng challenged ed to get back in in the t he race tow to ward ard your yo ur dream, dream, to get g et back ba ck the th e pas pa s s ion for fu fu lfil fillin g you y ourr goal. go al. I want you y ou to achi ach ieve ev e your yo ur greatest in God God’’s pur pu rpos po s e for your yo ur li life. I want you yo u to t o get g et off the rocki rocking horse ho rse and find a living living s talli tallion—yo on —your ur li life’s fe’s vision. To do thi th is , you yo u need to und u nderstan erstand d and practice practice principl principles es that trans transcend cend curr current trends trends and even conventi conven tional onal wi wis dom. dom. Your ou r s ucces s wil will not no t depend dep end on o n the th e state s tate of o f the econo eco nom my, what ha t career c areerss are currently in in dem de mand, an d, or o r what what the th e job market arket is like. You You wil will not no t be b e hi h indered nd ered by your yo ur initial initial lack of resou res ources rces or by what peopl peop le think you can or cannot canno t do. do . Ins Instead, tead, the time-tes time-tested ted princ princiiples of thi th is book bo ok wil will enabl enab le you y ou to fulfi ulfill your you r vis vis ion no matter who who you yo u are or what what your yo ur backgrou background nd is . You are are the th e sum s um total tot al of the choices ch oices and an d deci d eciss ions on s you yo u mak makee every day. day . You You can choo ch ooss e to s tay where you are ri right gh t now no w, or you yo u can choos cho osee to move ov e forw forwar ard d in li life by pur pu rs uing uing your yo ur dream. dream. I want to chal cha llenge en ge you y ou to s top to p maki making ng excus excus es for why you yo u can’t can ’t accompli accompliss h what you y ou were born to do. do . Take Take your yo ur li life out ou t of neutr neut ral. al. God has given given you yo u the th e pow po wer and the responsibility to achieve your life’s vision. Most Mos t people people do thi th ings because they have to. Wouldn’ Wouldn’tt you like to do thi th ings because becaus e you have h ave decided decided to, to , based bas ed on your y our purpo pu rposs e? You You mus t choo ch ooss e to be b e on the th e offens ive rathe rat herr than th an the defensive. d efensive. I hope ho pe you yo u wil will decide you have h ave had enoug eno ugh h of bei be ing “norm “n ormal” al” and tha t hatt you y ou wil will declar de claree your yo ur distinct dis tinctiion. on . Remem emembe ber, r, you yo u were were created to s tand tan d out o ut,, not to blend in. You You
were ere des igned not only to be b e speci s pecial al and unique, unique, but als als o to to s peci pec iali alize. You You were were created to accom acco mplis plis h s ometh omethiing that th at no no one on e els els e can accompl accompliis h. Never expe expect ct anyt an ything hing less les s than th an the t he hi h ighes gh estt thi th ing you yo u can ca n go after. after. Don Don’’t let peopl peo plee tel t elll you, “You “You s houl ho uldn dn’’t have h ave high expec expectat tatiions on s .” Alway Alwayss expe expect ct more more than th an what you yo u have h ave,, more more than th an what you y ou are currently doing. d oing. Dream Dream big. Somewhere Somewhere ins ide you yo u there t here is is alw always ay s the th e abi ab ility to dream. dream. No No matt matter er how challeng challengiing it gets , don’t do n’t give give up, u p, becaus e your yo ur vis vis ion is the th e key to fulfilling your life’s purpose. Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. The poor poo rest es t pers pers on in in the worl world d is is a person perso n with withou outt a dream d ream.. 2. The mos mos t frus frustrated trated perso p erson n in in the th e worl world d is is s omeone omeone who has a dream but does n’t know know how to make it it com co me to pas pa s s . 3. Every pers pers on was created created by God God to be b e uniqu uniquee and dis dis tinct. tinct. 4. God has h as pl p laced in in ever eve ry hum hu man being a unique vis vis ion and call call that is des d esiigned to gi g ive purpos p urposee and an d meani ean ing to life. 5. No person perso n can give you you y ourr vis vis ion. on . It is is God God-given. 6. Every ve ry hum hu man being was was created creat ed to accom acco mplis plis h
s ometh omethiing that t hat no n o one on e els els e can accom acco mplis plis h. 7. Every pers pers on was created created to be b e kno know wn for for s ometh omethiing s pecial. pecial. 8. One person perso n wi with vision vision is is gr g reater than the th e pass pas s ive force force of ni n inety-nine net y-nine peo p eople ple who are merel merely y inter nte rested es ted in doi do ing or becom beco ming s omething. omething. 9. Yo u r g ift ift will will make a way way for you yo u in the th e world world an and enable en able you yo u to t o fulfi fulfill your yo ur vision. 10. 10. You are a re respo res pons ns ible for for sti st irri rring up u p the th e gift gift wi withi th in you. 11. God loves lov es dreamers. dreamers. He He gives visions , and an d He is attracted to people peo ple who who love ov e to dream big. big. 12. As long as a pers pers on can hold hold on to his his vi v is ion, then the n there t here is is alw always a chance ch ance for him him to move ov e out o ut of his his pr p resent es ent circum circumss tances tance s and a nd towar t oward d the th e fulfillment of his purpose.
Chapter Two
The Source of Vi Vi si on Vis ion is foresight with with ins ight gh t bas b ased ed on o n hi h inds nd s ight. gh t.
The first first s tep to fulfi fulfillling your yo ur reason reas on for exi exis tence ten ce is reali realizing that th at you y ou have hav e been b een given a vi v is ion. on . Yet Yet how h ow exactly exactly do do you yo u receive, receive, recog recogni nizze, and activate yo ur vis vis ion? on ? When Wh en you y ou underst un derstand and the t he sou s ourrce of vis vis ion, on , you yo u wil will learn the secrets s ecrets to its orig orig in and an d worki working in your yo ur life. life. This This kn owled owledge ge wil will help you yo u take ta ke your yo ur dream d ream from from initial initial idea de a all the th e way to fulfi fulfilllment. en t. Vis ion Comes omes from from Purp Purpos os e The first first key to unde un derrs tanding tan ding vi v is ion is to realiz realize that th at it alw always emanate emanatess from pur pu rpos po s e. Why? Why ? God God is the Autho Au thorr of vis vis ion, on , and it is is His nature nat ure to be b e pur pu rpos po s eful eful in in ever ev eryth ythiing He does do es.. Every Every time time He appear app eared ed on the s cene in hum h uman an his his tory, it it was becaus becau s e He wante wanted d s ometh omethiing s pecifi pecific accom acco mpli plis hed and was actively actively work workiing it out o ut through throug h people’ peo ple’ss lives . Therefore, Therefore, God is a God God of action action bas ed on o n purpos p urpos e. Moreove Mo reover, r, His purpos pu rpos es are eternal. Psal Psa lm 33:11 says say s , “The plans of the th e Lord Lord s tand ta nd firm firm forever, foreve r, the th e purpo pu rposs es of his heart h eart throug th rough h all generations ge nerations ,” and Is aiah aiah 14: 14:24 s ays ay s , “The Lord Lord Almi Almighty gh ty has ha s s worn, ‘Surel ‘Surely, y, as I have planned, plann ed, so s o it wi will be, be , and as I have hav e pur pu rpos po s ed, so s o it it wil will s tand.’ tand .’”” Nothing Nothing can get g et in in the way of God’s God’s purposes purpos es;; they th ey alw always come come to pass pas s . God Created You with with a Purpos Purpo s e
Second, we we mus mustt underst un derstand and that God created created everything e verything to fulfi fulfilll a purpo pu rposs e in life. life. Whet Wh ethe herr we we are a re tal ta lking abou ab outt a mam mamm mal, reptile, eptile, plant plant,, star, st ar, or person, perso n, ever eve rythi yth ing and everyone everyon e God God created created s erves erves a uni un ique qu e pur pu rpos po s e. That That includ includes es you. yo u. You You may have been a surpr s urpriis e to your yo ur parents parents,, but you were ere not a s urpri urpris e to God; od ; He has given given you yo u a s pecial pur pu rpos po s e to fulfi ulfill. The Script Scriptures ures s ay you y ou were were chos ch os en in Hi Him befor be foree the th e worl world bega be gan. n. (See (See Eph Ephes esiians an s 1:4 1:4–5.) God planne plan ned d in advan adv ance ce all that th at you yo u were were bor bo rn to be and an d accom acco mplis plis h. I am continuall con tinually y pos p os itive abou ab outt life life becaus becau s e I kno know w that God created created me for a purpos e and an d that t hat He wil will bring bring that pur pu rpos po s e to pas pa s s . I bel be lieve ev e that th at I’m not no t a mi mis tak ta ke, and I know no w that th at my my life life is is s igni gn ificant. God God created created me to do s ometh omethiing, ng , and no one on e els els e can do d o it for for me. me. Do Do you y ou believe believe that t hat about abo ut yourself yo urself?? Do you yo u know no w that you y ourr li life has h as a pur pu rpos po s e? I hope hop e you y ou will becom beco me more and more more confiden confidentt of this this truth as you yo u pr p rogr og ress es s through throug h this this book boo k. You W ere Born Born at the th e Righ Rightt Tim Time In the t he boo b ook k of Eccl Eccles esiiastes as tes,, we we read about abo ut the revelation evelation of God’ od ’s pur pu rpos po s es to the t he hear h earts ts of humanki humankind nd.. The thi th ird chapte ch apter r begins be gins , “To eve e veryth rythiing there th ere is is a seas s eas on, on , a time time for every ev ery purpo pu rposs e unde un derr heav he aven en”” (Eccles (Ecclesiiaste as tess 3:1 3:1 nkjv). nkjv). God God has ha s not no t onl on ly gi g iven you yo u a purpos p urpose, e, but, according according to this t his Scri Scriptur ptu re, He He has als als o determ d etermiined the tim time for that pur pu rpos po s e to be accompli accompliss hed. hed . There There is “a ti t ime for every purpos p urpos e.” Whateve Wh atever r you yo u were were bor bo rn to do, do , God God has h as ass as s igned gn ed a seas s eason on in which which it it is is to be b e done—and do ne—and that t hat s eason eas on is the durati d uration on of o f your yo ur li life. Do Do
you yo u s ee why it is is crucial crucial for you to know no w the vis vis ion that tha t is is in your yo ur heart? hea rt? You Yourr purpos purpo s e can be fulfi fulfilled onl on ly duri d uring ng the th e time time you yo u are given given on earth to accompli accompliss h it. Within Within this s eason eas on call called lif life, God God has als als o appointed app ointed s pecifi pecific times times for por po rtion tionss of your yo ur purpos e to be accom a ccompl pliis hed. hed . As you yo u pursu p ursuee the th e dr d ream God has given given you, yo u, He He wil will bring bring it to to fruiti fruition on duri du ring ng the th e peri p eriod od of your yo ur li life when it is mean meantt to t o be be completed completed.. As Ecclesiastes cclesias tes 3:11 s ays ay s , “He “He has ha s made everyth eve rythiing beaut be autiiful in in its time.” time.” Some Some peop p eoplle wis wis h they had been bor bo rn dur du ring a diff different erent tim time in in hi h is tory. Yet Yet if if you yo u had h ad been b een born b orn a thous tho usand and years ago a go,, or even a hund hu ndrred year y earss ago, ago , you would would have h ave been b een mi mis erable erable becau be causs e you yo u woul wou ld hav h avee been be en living living in th t h e wron wrong g ti t ime to compl complete ete you y ourr pur pu rpos po s e and vision vision.. God God chos cho s e when when and where you yo u were were bor bo rn for a reason. reaso n. You You didn didn’’t jus jus t sho s how w up on earth. Ecclesiastes cclesias tes 3:2 s ays that th at the t here re is is “a time time to be born.” b orn.” You You were were born bo rn at the th e righ rightt time time to accom acc ompli pliss h you y ourr visi vis ion duri du ring ng your yo ur generation. You We Were re Gi Given ve n a Sense Sens e of o f Purpo Purposs e Eccles cclesiiastes as tes 3:10 says say s , “I have hav e seen s een the bur bu rden God has laid aid on men.” The word “burden” “bu rden” in the Hebrew coul cou ld actuall act ually y be be transl trans lated as a s “a heavy heav y respon resp onss ibil bility,” “occupation,” “occu pation,” or “task “tas k.” It coul cou ld also be des d escri cribed bed as a “respons “respo ns ible ble urge.” Every Every hum hu man bei b eing ng com co mes to earth with with a purpos p urposee that, that , in in a sens s ens e, weigh eighss on him. him. W hethe het herr you yo u are twenty, twenty , s ixty, ty , or nine ninety ty years y ears old, old, ther the re is is a burden b urden within within you, yo u, a “respon “resp onss ible ble ur u rge” to carry carry
out ou t all all that you yo u were were des igned gn ed to do. do . It It is is a cry of the heart—a cry cry of purpose that t hat says s ays,, “I “I was born to do s omethi omething ng that t hat I mu s t fulfill fulfill.” .” Do you y ou s ense ens e that cry? Do Do you yo u feel that you y ou were ere born to do s omething omething with with your yo ur li life? Al A lmost os t ever ev eryb ybod ody y does do es,, even if they have hav e never n ever express express ed it. That feeli eeling, ng , lon longing, ging, or bur bu rden comes comes from God. od . God God has placed placed a “respon “resp onss ible ble ur u rge” on your yo ur heart heart becaus b ecausee of Hi His purpose purpos e for for you. God Place Placed d His His Eternal te rnal Purpos Purpo s e in You Yourr Heart Heart In Ecclesias Ecclesiastes tes 3:11, we we read, “He has als als o s et eternity e ternity in the th e hearts hea rts of men.” men.” That Th at is a pow po werful erful state st atem ment. ent . There is is s omething omething within you y ou that tha t is being being call called by eternity. eternity. Unles Unlesss we have hav e tur tu rned a deaf ear to it, it, then every day d ay we wak wakee up heari hea ring ng a cal ca ll that com co mes from from outs ou ts ide thi th is worl world. We W e live live in tim time and s pace, but tim time and s pace are connected conn ected to eter et ernity, nity, and God God has h as put pu t som s omething ething into into your yo ur heart heart that cal c allls the unseen uns een into into the s een. The vision God God has put pu t in in you y ourr heart heart is is “a piece of eterni eternity” ty” that He gave gav e you yo u to deliver deliver in in time time and s pace—that pace—th at is is , on the th e earth duri d uring ng your yo ur li lifetim fetime. What Wh at God God put pu t into you y ourr heart he art is is als als o what ha t is in His His own heart. h eart. I think this is what ha t the t he Bible mean meanss when he n it tal t alk ks about abo ut “deep “d eep calli calling unto un to deep.” de ep.” (See Psal Psa lm 42:7.) Therefore, Therefore, God God has ha s done do ne s ometh omethiing awesom awes ome. e. He He li lives in eternity, yet He has s peci pe cifi ficall cally y pl p laced you yo u in in time time so s o that th at other oth erss on earth wil will be able to s ee a pi p iece of o f eterni eternity ty that is in Him.
It is is thi th is piece of eternity eternity that t hat makes you y ou unco un com mfortabl ortab le or dis dis s atis atis fied with with you y ourr present presen t li life becaus becau s e you are are not no t yet manifes anifesti ting ng your yo ur purpos e. Your Purpose Is Already Completed in God The thi th ird key to underst un derstand andiing vis vis ion is reali ealizing that not no t only only has your you r purpose purpos e been gi g iven to t o you y ou to t o mani maniffest, es t, but it it has als als o been b een com co mpleted pleted in eter et ernity. nity. The The foll following owing pas s age enti ent irely rely chan ch anged ged my persp p erspect ectiive on the th e fulfi fulfilllment en t of o f vis vis ion: on : I am God, od , and there th ere is is no othe ot herr; I am God, od , and there th ere is is none no ne like me. me. I make make known the th e end e nd from from the th e beg b egiinni nn in g, from ancient an cient times times,, what what is s till till to come. come. I s ay: My purpo p urposs e wil will s tand, tan d, and an d I will do all that I please.(Isaiah 46:9–10) In this Scri Scriptur ptu re, God God mentions two thi th ings ng s that He does d oes.. Fir Firs t, He He estab es tabllis hes the end before before the th e begi beg inni nn ing. ng . Thi Thiss means that th at He finish finishes es thi th ings ng s first first in the t he s piri piritual tu al realm realm, and then th en He goes go es back and s tarts them up in the t he phy p hyss ical realm ealm. Secon Second, d, He He reveals the th e end resul es ultt of som s ometh ethiing when it is is just us t begi be ginn nniing. ng . I have noticed n oticed in in the t he Scri Scriptur ptu res the princi principle ple that purpos p urposee is is estab es tabllis hed before producti produ ction on.. In In other oth er words words,, God God firs t insti ns titutes tutes a pur pu rpos e, then He creates creates s omeone omeone or som so mething ething to fulfi fulfilll that th at purpo p urposs e. He He is is the th e Al A lpha ph a and an d the t he Omega Omega,, the beginn be ginniing and an d the t he end e nd.. We often o ften don d on’t ’t reco recogn gniize the th e fact that th at when he n God God s tarts s ometh omethiing, ng , He He has ha s already already com c ompleted pleted it in in eternity eternity.. “Yet “Yet they t hey cannot cann ot fathom ath om what God has done do ne from beginn be ginniing to end” en d” (Eccles (Ecclesiiaste as tess 3:11). W e need ne ed to t o remem remembe ber r His order of work working: ng : He fi first tells tells us what the t he end of the th e matt matter er
is to t o be, and then He backs backs up and begins begins the process of fulfi fulfillling that th at end—j en d—jus us t as a bui bu ilder de r first first deve d evellops op s an idea and an d a bluepri bluep rint nt and an d th t h en s tarts ta rts bui bu ilding. ding . We can s ee this t his pri p rincipl nciplee in in Creation Creation.. Eve Everyth rythiing was already already finish finished ed in God God’s ’s mi mind before He lai laid d the t he foundat foun datiion of the th e worl world. After He He had ha d imagined imagined and an d pl p lanned an ned how ho w He wan wanted ted everythi everyth ing to be, then the n He ini initi tiated ated the begi beg inni nn ing by creati creating ng the heaven h eavenss , the earth, and hum h umanki ankind nd.. In In the th e book bo ok of Genes is , which mean meanss “ori “o rigin” gin” or o r “source,” “so urce,” we we are reall really y readi read ing about abo ut the s tart-up tart-up of the pr p roject oject called called “earth.” Thos e of you who are involved nv olved in project project man manage agem ment en t kno know w that th at start-up s tart-up is a s igni gn ificant s tep in the process proces s of o f bui bu ilding. When Wh en you yo u reach the s tart-up tart-up phas ph ase, e, it it means means that tha t you yo u have h ave all the pl p lans drawn, drawn, all all the phys ph ys ical res resou ourrces in place, place, and all all the managem anag ement ent resou es ourrces in or o rder. Bef Before ore you yo u s tart a pr p roject, all all thes e thi th ings ng s mus t be in place. place. Only Only then can you y ou begi beg in. When do you y ou s tart tart bui bu ilding ding a hous h ous e? Is Is it when when you y ou di d ig the found ou ndati ation on?? Es Es s entiall entially, you yo u begi beg in bui bu ilding ding whenever hen ever the th e idea for the hous ho usee is is concei con ceived ved.. The The finishe finished d hou h ouss e is is s til till in the th e unseen; uns een; other peopl peoplee pass by the proper property, ty, and they don’t see it. However However,, to you y ou,, who who underst un derstand and and know no w what what is goi go ing to happ h appen, en, the hous ho us e is is alr already finis nis hed. hed . Diggi gg ing the found ou ndati ation on is s imply ply the th e begi beg inni nn ing of bring bringiing your yo ur purpos e to pas pa s s . Theref The refore, ore, after you dig the th e found fou ndat atiion, on , and an d so s o mebod eb ody y ask as ks you, yo u, “What are you yo u doi do ing?” ng ?” your yo ur answ ans wer is very defini definite. te. You poi p oint nt to the architect’s architect’s rendering rendering of o f the hou h ouss e and s ay, “I am building this.”
There is a s treet near nea r whe where re I li live called called Shir Shirley Street Street.. At one on e time, time, there the re was was a park p arkiing lot there. th ere. One day when he n I was was driving driving along that th at street, s treet, I s aw a large large si s ign with a beaut be autiifull fully pai pa inted nt ed pi p icture ct ure of a bui bu ilding. ding . There The re was was no bui bu ilding on o n the t he s ite yet, but bu t ther th eree was was the big big s ign and the name name of the bui b uillding ding.. It It s how ho wed the th e land landss cape, the col c olor or of the bui bu ilding ding,, the wind windows, ows, everythi everyth ing; ng ; it was was a ver ve ry detai d etailled pictu picturre of o f what what the com co mpleted plete d buil b uild d ing woul wou ld look loo k like. The s ign s aid, “Com “Comiing soon.” I drove pas p astt the th e lot lot and an d sens s ensed ed God God s aying aying to me, me, “Di “Did you y ou s ee that?” th at?” I said, “See “See what?” He said, said, “Di “Did you y ou s ee the th e finis nis h?” So I turned my my car arou around nd and went back to take take a clos clos er loo look k at the t he s ign. gn . By By s how ho wing the compl completed eted pictu picturre of the buil b uildi ding ng,, the cons con s truction truction compan company y was reveali revealing the end of its its pur pu rpos po s e. To To have h ave vi v is ion means to s ee som s omething ething com co ming into nt o vi v iew as if it it were were alread already y the t herre. The com co mpany pan y had h ad a vision for that buil b uildi ding ng becaus becau s e it it saw s aw the fi finished product produ ct bef b efore ore constr cons tructi uction on had h ad even begun. b egun. God essentially completed us before He created us. Not only does He establ es tabliis h our ou r ends , but He als als o gi g ives us gli glimpses ps es of them through the vi v is ions He puts pu ts in our o ur hearts hearts.. We mus mustt pay attent att entiion to His His work work with withiin us u s s o that t hat we wil will be able to underst un derstand and more of what what He “has done do ne from from begi beg inni nn ing to end” end ” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Your Beginning Is Proof of Your Completion God wants ant s you yo u to “see” “s ee” the com co mpleti pletion on of your vis vis ion by
know no wing that tha t He alr already plann planned ed and a nd establi es tabliss hed it bef b efore ore you were ere bor bo rn. The fact fact that th at you y ou were started is pr p roof oo f that you yo u are already already com c ompleted pleted becau b ecauss e God God alw always ay s finish finishes es bef be fore He He s tarts and an d accom acco mplis plis hes His purpos p urposes es.. Therefore, Therefore, instead ns tead of o f s triving triving to t o fulfi fulfilll what ha t God God has ha s given you y ou to do, do , you can rely rely on Him Him to finish finish it as you yo u all allow Him Him to gui gu ide you yo u in the t he s peci pec ifics fics of carrying carrying it out. ou t. For exam example, ple, as I mo mo ve forward forward in the th e dev d evelop elopm ment en t of o f Baham ah amas as Faith Faith Minis Minis tries tries Internati Internat ional on al,, I am not no t tryi t rying ng to “finish “finish”” it. God God has ha s already already completed completed a world-cl world-clas asss center cen ter for leadersh ead ershiip trai t raining ning in al a ll its facets, facets , includ includiing the th e Thi Th ird Worl W orld d Leaders Association and Leading Edge Leadership. He finish finished ed it in in eterni et ernity ty,, and now n ow He He is is bring bringiing it to pas pa s s . He He purpo pu rposs ed it, and then th en He backed ba cked up u p and an d said, s aid, “Now “Now let let me me go to a li littl tt le is is land an d in the Baham aha mas and an d prom p rompt pt a youn yo ung g man man who lives in a littl tt le wooden wood en hous ho us e in in a fami family of o f elev eleven en kids kids s o he he can start s tart the process proces s of compl completi eting ng the t he vision.” The The proces s is God’s od ’s way of o f preparing preparing me and an d tho t hoss e inv involved olved in BFMI BFMI for for the th e end result. You are not an experiment. God wouldn’t have allowed you to s tart your you r life and your yo ur purpos e unless they were alr already completed completed in eterni ete rnity ty.. You You were bor bo rn to manifes anifestt s ometh omethiing that th at is already already finish finished ed.. You You mus t reali realize, however, ho wever, that th at you y our r end does do esn’t n’t loo look k anyt an ything hing lik like your yo ur begi beg inni nn ing—or ng —or like any other oth er point point in the t he pr p roces s , for for that matter. Thi Thiss is why you yo u mus t live live by faith faith,, loo looki king ng forward forward with with expe expect ctat atiion for wha whatt God has already already completed completed;; oth o therw erwiis e, you yo u will beli believe onl on ly what you y ou s ee wi with you y ourr phys ph ys ical eyes rather ath er than tha n the th e vis vis ion
you s ee in in your yo ur heart. heart. At thi th is poi po int, nt , I want an t to clari clarify fy the differ differen ence ce between b etween purpo pu rposs e and an d vi v is ion. on . Purpos Purpo s e is is the th e int inten entt for which which God God created created you y ou,, the reason reas on why you y ou were were bor bo rn. Purpos Purposee is is what God has already already deci dec ided in His His own mi mind that th at you y ou’r ’ree s uppo up poss ed to t o begin b egin to fulfi fulfill. Therefore, purpo pu rposs e is is when you yo u know kno w and an d und u nders ersta tan n d what you yo u were born to accompl accompliis h, and vis vis ion is when you yo u can s ee it it in in you y ourr mi mind by faith aith and an d beg b egiin to t o imagine imagine it. When you are are able able to s ee your you r purpos purpos e, your vis vis ion comes comes to life. I li like this t his definiti definition on:: “Vi “Vis ion is fores foresiight gh t with ins ight gh t bas ed on hi h inds nd s ight.” gh t.” We have hav e ins ins ight gh t into into God’ od ’s purpos p urpos e for for us bas ba s ed on o n what wha t we kno know w God has ha s alread already y acco ac com mplis plis hed he d in eternity. Vi Vis ion is a gl g limps e of o f our future futu re that tha t God God has ha s purpo pu rposs ed. ed . W e don do n ’t kno know w all the th e deta de taiils of how ho w our ou r purpo pu rposs es will unf un fold, old, but bu t we see s ee thei th eirr “ends ” becaus be caus e God God reveals them t hem to us u s in the th e vis vis ions He gives gives us. us . Thi Thiss is why we can be be conf con fident den t that th at they th ey wil will come come to pas s . Suppos Suppo s e you don’t do n’t have the th e mon money ey you yo u need to fulf fulfill your yo ur vision. God God s ays to you y ou,, in in effect effect,, “I’ve “I’ve alread already y been b een where you yo u are going, and you y ou will have hav e everythi everyth ing you yo u need.” n eed.” He He tell tells us that our ou r vis vis ions on s will be compl completed eted,, and this is what gives gives us courage and keeps keeps us from being being depre d epress s ed when
thi th ings ng s don’t do n’t look as if they will work work out. ou t. You W ere Designed Designe d Perf Perfectl ect ly to Complete omplete You Yourr Purpo Purposs e When Wh en God God created you y ou with with a purpos p urpose, e, He He als als o des d esiigned gn ed you yo u perf pe rfect ectlly to be abl ab le to t o fulfi fulfilll it. it. This means ean s He wi wired you y ou in a specif s pecifiic way way so s o that th at you yo u would would have h ave all all the es s enti ent ial compo componen nents ts neces s ary ary for ful fulffilling the vision vision He gave g ave you. yo u. Yo u nev n ever er have ha ve to worry worry if you yo u are a re abl ab le to t o ful fu lfil fill your yo ur life’ life’ss vis vis ion. on . The fact fact that t hat you yo u were were created to t o compl complete ete it means means that you yo u have h ave everything e verything you y ou need to accompli accompliss h it. God alw always gives gives us the abi ab ility to t o do d o whatever He He call calls us to do. d o. Vis ion Is about abo ut God Purpo Purposs e, therefore, therefore, is the s our ou rce of o f your you r vis vis ion. on . You Your r purpo pu rposs e exi exis ted te d before b efore you yo u di d id. Wha W hatt yo y o u were born bo rn to do d o was accompli accompliss hed by God before before you yo u even ev en arri arrived on the s cene, and He ordaine ordained d you y ourr birth birth in order o rder to carry carry it out. ou t. God God did not no t create create you yo u and an d then th en say, s ay, “Let “Let Me s ee what what I can do with thi t hiss one.” on e.” He does n’t create create som s omething ething and then t hen deci d ecide de what to use us e it it for. for. He He kno know ws what He wants firs t, and then the n He ass as s igns gn s s omeon omeonee or o r som s ometh ethiing to accom acco mplis plis h it for Hi Him. Cons on s equently, equ ently, at its its ess es s ence, vis vis ion isn’t about abou t us—i us —it’s t’s about abo ut God. od . Pr Prover ov erbs bs 19:21 says say s , “Many are the pl p lans in a man’s heart, but it is the t he Lord’s ord’s pur pu rpos po s e that th at pr p revails evails .” True True vis vis ion is not no t a hum h uman an inventi invent ion. on . It’s It’s abou ab outt the th e des ires God imparts pa rts to us . It It is not n ot our ou r pri private vat e vi v iew of the future; fut ure; rather, rath er, it is the th e vi v iew of our ou r fut future ure inspir ins pired ed by God. od . Vi Vis ion is what ha t God God wants an ts us to contri con tribu bute te in bui bu ilding His His kingdo ng dom m on earth. Hi His
purpo pu rposs e was es e s tab ta b lis hed he d well well before be fore we we had ha d any an y pl p lans an s for our ou r lives . We were were meant meant to cons con s ult God God to find out ou t His His pur pu rpos po s es for us s o we can make make the righ rightt pl p lans an s . Ecclesias Ecclesiastes tes 3:14 s ays ay s , “I know no w that th at everyth ev erythiing God does do es wil will endure end ure foreve forever; r; nothing not hing can be b e added add ed to t o it and nothing no thing tak t aken en from from it. God God does do es it so so that th at men wil will rev revere ere h im.” You Already Know Your Vision Fourth, we mus mustt underst un derstand and the key to recogni recogn izing person p ersonal al vision. After read readiing my boo b ook ks on purpos pu rpose, e, many many peop pe oplle wri write te to me and an d s ay, ay , “Ok “Okay, ay , I read you y ourr book boo k. It’s It’s wonderf wond erful, ul, it chang cha nged ed my my lif life, and I’m I’m ready to go, go , excep exceptt tha t hatt I don’t do n’t know what ha t my my vision is . Tell Tell me me how h ow to find find it.” To find find your yo ur visi vis ion, on , you yo u hav h avee to look oo k with withiin you y ourself rself,, where where God God has placed it. The key is this: t his: God’ od ’s will is as clos clos e to us as our ou r mos mos t per p erss is tent ten t thoughts and deepest desi des ires. Vis ion Is as Clos e as Your ou r Deep Deepes estt Desi Des ires Psalm Ps alm 37: 37:4 s ays ay s , “Deli “Deligh ghtt you y ourse rsellf in in the t he Lord and a nd he wil will give give you yo u the t he des ires of your you r.... ....”” Desires Desires of your you r what? what? “You “Your r heart” hea rt” (v. 4). 4). Wa Waiit a mi minute. nu te. Doesn’t Does n’t God God give us u s des ires from from heaven? heav en? Yes, es , He He does d oes . Our Our des ires origi originat nated ed there, t here, but remem remembe berr that God has placed His His des ires for you yo u with withiin you y our r heart. hea rt. He put pu t the th e plans for your yo ur li life wi withi th in you y ou when you y ou were were born, bo rn, and the t hey y hav h avee neve ne verr left you. yo u. The heart, h eart, in in this t his cas c ase, e, means your yo ur subco su bcons ns ciou ciouss mind. nd . God God put pu t His His plans plans ther the re becau be causs e He wan wants ts to make sure s ure you y ou find find them th em.. Somet Sometiimes, es , His His ideas come in multiples. God may put five or six things in your
mind that He wants wants you yo u to do, do , each one on e for for a dif different seas s eason on of you y ourr li life. Yet whether whet her He He gives you yo u one o ne idea or o r six ideas de as,, the thoug tho ughts hts of God God are are cons con s is tent. ten t. They wil will be pr p resent es ent throug th rougho hout ut your yo ur li life. No matt matter er how old old you y ou grow, the th e sam s amee thou th ough ghts ts will keep com c omiing back bac k to you, yo u, and the th e des ires wil will never nev er leave leave you. yo u. This This is becaus becau s e the th e wil will of God God for you never nev er changes chan ges.. The Bi Bible says s ays,, “God “God’’s gif gifts and his his call call are irrev rrevoc ocab ablle” (Rom (Roman anss 11:29). The s pecif pe cifiics of you y ourr plans may change as your you r purpose purpos e unfolds unfolds,, but your y our purpos purpos e is is perm pe rman anen ent. t. No No mat matte terr what hap h appe pens ns in life, life, you’l yo u’lll neve ne verr get ge t away from from what ha t God God has ha s put pu t in your yo ur heart hea rt to do. do . Vi Vis ion pos po s s ess es s es you; yo u; you yo u don d on’t ’t pos po s s ess es s it. All the thoug tho ughts hts , ideas ideas , plans plans , and dreams dreams that tha t remai remain n cons con s is tent ten t within within you yo u were were put p ut ther the re by b y God God.. No No matter how ho w many an y times times you yo u may tempo temporar rariily forge forgett abo a bout ut them th em,, they the y always always come come back ba ck int into o you y ourr mi mind. nd . Vi Vis ion is the th e idea idea that th at nev n ever er leaves you, you , the dream that won’t go away, away, the pass p ass ion that won’ on ’t sub s ubss ide, the “ir “irritating” des ire that’ that ’s s o deep d eep you y ou can’t c an’t enjoy enjoy your yo ur curr current job becaus becau s e you’r yo u’ree alw always thinki thinking about abo ut what ha t you yo u wis wis h you y ou were were doi do ing. ng . Vi Vis ion is what you y ou keep s eeing, eeing, even when when you y ou clos closee your eyes. eyes . I have found foun d that t hat people peo ple are are cons con s tantl tant ly waiti waiting ng for God God to tell tell them the m what to do when it has h as been given given to them th em alr already. eady . Reli eligious peop pe oplle, espec es peciiall ally Chris Chris tian peop pe oplle, have hav e been b een look oo king for God God’s ’s wil will everywhe ev erywhere re excep exceptt with withiin them th emss elves. elves . It’s neces s ary ary for them th em to reali ealize that th at they don’t do n’t receive receive their
purpo pu rposs es after they th ey are a re born bo rn agai aga in; they th ey were alread already y gi g iven ve n their pur pu rpos po s es when they t hey were ere phys ph ysiicall cally born. b orn. God has s aved us becaus e He He gave us ass ignments gnments that He does n’t want want to lose. os e. You You’’re not no t saved s aved for the sole s ole pur pu rpos po s e of going going to heaven; you’ you ’re saved s aved to finis nis h your y our ass ignment gnment on o n earth. As a matter of fact, fact, God God redeems edeems you yo u becaus b ecaus e of the th e vision you y ou are are carrying. carrying. The Th e Bi Bible says s ays , “We are God God’s ’s workm orkmans an s hip, created in Chri Chriss t Jesus Jes us to do d o goo g ood d works works , which which God God prepared prepa red in in advance adv ance for us to do” do ” (Eph (Ephes esiians 2:10, emph emphas asiis added). add ed). Many peopl peo plee ask as k me how ho w God s peaks to us. us . They s ay, “I want an t to t o hear h ear from from God. od . Does Does He spe s peak ak in in an audi aud ible voi vo ice? Does oe s He come come in in the t he night and whis whis per in in my my ear? e ar? Doe Doess He s peak pe ak throu th rough gh s ome ome ani an imal or wri write te on the th e wall wall like He di d id in the Old Tes tament?” tament?” They don’t do n’t reali realize that th at God God has been s peaking peaking to them s ince they were ere born, b orn, and He is s til till s peaking peaking to them t hem now. He speak s peakss to them through the thou t houghts ghts , ideas ideas,, and vision visionss they keep havi hav ing in their minds nd s . If If you are are uncl u nclear ear about your you r vis vis ion, you can ask as k God to reveal to you y ou the deepest deepes t desir d esires es He has placed placed withi within n you. y ou. Some Some people peo ple call call psych ps ychiic hot ho t li lines to get other oth erss to tell tell them their futur utu res. es . You don’t do n’t need to t o cons co nsult ult psych ps ychiics or read read tarot cards cards . The sad s ad thi th ing is that th at som s omee Chri Chriss tians tians do nearl n early y the th e equi equ ival va lent en t of o f this this when he n they t hey run from from meeti eet ing to meeti eet ing, ng , ask as king peop p eoplle to pr p rophes op hes y over ov er them concer con cerning ning thei the ir futur utu res, es , not no t underst un derstand andiing that t hat God God has given given them their vis vis ions on s directly. directly. A proph p rophet et can ca n confi co nfirm rm your yo ur vision, but bu t he h e or she s he wil will not no t give you yo u you y ourr vis vis ion. on . God God gives you yo u that th at di d irectly, ectly, and He reveals it to you yo u as you yo u lis lis ten to Him and foll follow Him Him. God God s ays ay s ,
“If “If you yo u had h ad respon resp onded ded to my my rebuke, I woul ou ld have ha ve poured po ured out ou t my hear h eartt to you and made my my thoug th oughts hts known to you” you ” (Proverbs 1:23), and “I will put my law in their minds and write it on thei th eirr hearts ” (Jerem (Jeremiiah 31:33). God puts pu ts His His thou th ough ghts ts within us through throug h the t he Holy Holy Spir Spirit. What Wh at we have to do is lis ten to what God God has h as given us in our o ur hearts hearts and minds nd s . Vis ion Is Much Muc h More M ore than Mere “Interes “Interest” t” One way to discern disc ern whether wheth er som so methi eth ing is a vi v is ion from from God is to determ det ermiine wheth he ther er you have hav e a real des de s ire to do it or o r merel merely y a pas s ing inter nte rest es t in it. it. You You can be b e inte interrested es ted in s omething, omething, yet not reall eally have hav e a pas s ion to do d o it. it. If If you have pass p ass ion, though, thou gh, you yo u wil will acti act ivel ve ly purs p ursue ue you y ourr vision and an d thi th ings ng s will s tart happen hap peniing to bring bring it to pas s . Rem Remem ember ber that one on e person pers on with vis vis ion is greater than the th e pas s ive force of ninety-nine ninety-nine peop p eoplle who are merel merely y interested interes ted in doing d oing or o r becom beco ming s ometh omethiing. ng . Vis ion Will Will Pers Pers is t agai ag ains ns t the t he Odds dd s Anoth An other er way way to t o recogni recogn ize true vis vis ion is when you yo u per p erss evere in you y ourr dream dream regardles egardlesss of great obs ob s tacles tacles.. When many peop pe oplle thi th ink about abo ut their th eir d reams reams , they the y say s ay,, “Oh, no, no , that th at’s ’s impos po s s ible ble for for me me to do,” do ,” so they the y s ettle down to do d o s ometh omethiing less es s er and an d end en d up u p bei b eing ng unful un fulfi fillled. ed . The problem p roblem is often that th at we have been b een trained trained and a nd br b rainwash ainwashed ed by our ou r s ocieties ocieties to dream s mall, all, thi th in k small small,, expe expect ct s mall, all, and an d not no t try t ry to t o do anything any thing too t oo big. big. When Wh en we compare compare what what we are told told to t o s ee in in the th e “real” “real” world world with with our ou r own dream d reamss , our vis vis ions on s s eem unreal un realiis tic and s tart to t o fade away. Yet Yet if a vision is truly truly from
God, od , we we are mean meantt to t o continue con tinue on, on , no matter att er wha whatt the t he diffi difficulty. culty. Therefore, Therefore, if if you have hav e a genu ge nuiine vision from from God, od , you yo u will need nee d to t o dev d evel elop op persi pers is tence, ten ce, which which we’l we’ll talk more abou ab outt in a later chapter. Vis ion Is Unself Uns elfiis h True True vi v is ion is also uns u ns elf elfis h. Its Its pur pu rpos po s e is is to br b ring about abo ut God’s od ’s king kingdo dom m on earth and a nd to turn tu rn people peo ple to Him Him. A vision, therefore, therefore, s houl ho uld d always always focus ocu s on helping helping hum hu manity or bui bu ilding up othe ot hers rs in som s omee way. This mean meanss , fi firs t of o f all all, that tha t God God wil will never ne ver have ha ve you yo u purs p ursue ue your yo ur vision at the th e expe expens ns e of o f your you r fam famiily. An A n ol o lder de r man man,, who who is a very ve ry beloved fri friend en d of o f mine, ne , went went to a conference, co nference, and a s uppo up poss ed pr p rophet op het s pok po ke to hi h im about abo ut what God God wanted for his his life. He He cam ca me to t o me afterward afterward and an d s aid, aid, “Did “Did you yo u hear hea r wha whatt the t he proph pro phet et s aid?” I sai sa id , “Yes “Yes.” .” He He ask as ked, ed , “What “Wh at do d o you y ou thi th ink?” I repli replied, ed , “Well, “Well, let’s let’s pray over o ver that th at proph p rophecy ecy.. Let’s Let’s take our ou r time, time, get ge t cou c ouns ns el, and an d find God God’s ’s wil will on it.” The Th e nex n extt ti t ime I heard he ard from him, him, he had h ad alread already y s et up a pl p lan to fulfi fulfilll thi th is proph pro phecy ecy.. He left left his fami family and an d went to anot an othe herr coun co untry. try. Was W as this really God’s purpose? There The re are ins ins tanc ta nces es when memb emb ers of a fami family wil will agree ag ree to be apa a part rt for for a time time in in order o rder to s erve a certain ce rtain purpo pu rposs e. Howev However, er, this this was not the cas e wi with thi t hiss man. When he pursued p ursued this this proph pro phecy ecy,, his wife wife was was frus frus trated trat ed and a nd his chil c hildren dren were were conf con fus ed and anger ang ered. ed. He was was breaki breaking up his his fami amily and caus cau s ing all all ki kinds nd s of problem p roblemss and diffi difficulti culties es for them. them.
If pursu pu rsuiing your yo ur visi vis ion is caus cau s ing turm tu rmoil oil in your yo ur fami family, s top and an d do s ome ome serious serious prayi praying ng and an d soul s oul--s earchi earching ng about ab out the th e s ituation. tu ation. Talk with your yo ur fami family membe embers rs and an d lis ten to what ha t they have hav e to s ay. While While you yo u can expect expect to t o face som so me oppo op poss ition to t o your yo ur vision, vision , and whil while you y ourr fam famiily will not alw always underst un derstand and or o r s uppo up porrt your yo ur dream dream,, pursuing it it s houl ho uldn dn’’t des troy the lives lives of your lov loved ed ones on es.. Vis ion s hould ho uld alw always be accom acc ompan paniied by b y com co mpas s ion. on . You You need to be careful careful and sens s ensiitive tive not to t o hurt anyone anyon e on the way to achievi achieving ng your yo ur goal. The secon s econd d thi th ing we sho s houl uld d be b e awar awaree of in in regard regard to the uns un s elf elfis h natur natu re of o f vis vis ion is that a true vi v is ion will not no t tak t akee the th e form of bui bu ilding ding a big bus bu s ines s jus t s o you yo u can ca n have h ave millions on s o dol do llars ars , an expen expenss ive hom ho me, a sl s leek car, car, and a vacati v acation on hous ho us e on the t he beach. These things things are are goals goals , but they are are not vis vis ion— in fact, they th ey are are pr p robably ob ably sel s elffis h ambiti ambition on.. Why? Wh y? Becaus e they t hey bui bu ild you y ourr kin gdom gd om rather rath er than tha n God God’s ’s king kingd d om. om. Yo Yo ur vision might gh t well involve nv olve making aking a large am a mount ou nt of mon money ey.. The differ differen ence, ce, how ho wever, ev er, is in you y ourr mot motiivati vat ion and atti att itude tu de tow to ward the money. on ey. You Yourr pers pers pecti pect ive on o n you y ourr ffiinances nan ces s houl ho uld d be b e God God-center cente red, not no t sel s elff-center cente red. You You need to treat your yo ur fi finances nan ces as a resource reso urce God God has provided to fulf ulfill your yo ur vis vis ion, on , not as a tool to ol to fil fill you yo u r li life with with lu xu ries ries . Vis ion Is the th e Only Thi Th ing That Tha t Wi W ill Bring ring You Fulfillment Anoth An other er way way you y ou can know that a vision is is real is when it is is
the onl on ly thi t hing ng that th at gi g ives you yo u tr t rue s atis atis faction action.. Merel Merely y work working at a job is disheartening. Going to work is a dismal experience for many many peopl peo plee becaus beca use, e, day after day, they are are doi do ing s omething omething they t hey hate. hat e. That That is not no t what you y ou were ere meant meant for. Ecclesiastes cclesias tes 3:13 s ays ay s , “That “Tha t everyon ev eryonee may may eat ea t and an d dri d rink, nk, and find find s atisfacti atisfact ion in all all his toi to il—this is the th e gi g ift of God God.” .” It is is God’ od ’s des ire for us to enjoy enjoy our ou r work, ork, but thi t hiss can happ h appen en onl o nly y when he n we’re we’re doi do ing the th e righ rightt work. work. Theref The refore, ore, unt u ntiil you foll follo w God God’s ’s dream drea m, you yo u wil will be unful un fulfi fillled. Prov Proverbs erbs 19:21 s ays , “Many “Man y are a re the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the t he Lord’s ord’s pur pu rpos po s e that th at pr p revails evails .” No No matter what what you yo u are bus bu s y doing, d oing, no matter matter what what you yo u are accompli accompliss hing, if if it’s it’s not n ot what God wants ant s you yo u to do, do , you won’ on ’t be com c omplete pletelly suc s ucces ces s ful in it. W hy? hy ? Beca Becaus us e true s ucces uc ces s is not no t in in what you y ou accompl accompliis h; it is is in doi d oing ng what God told you yo u to to do. do . That’s That’s why people peo ple who who bui bu ild bi b ig pr p rojects ojects or gain gain gr g reat fame ame can be b e succes s ucces s ful and depres d epresss ed at the t he sam s amee tim time. Going against agains t your yo ur purpos e may may be b e a personal perso nal is s ue, but it’s never n ever a pr p rivate one. on e. You You can mess es s up other oth erss ’ li lives if you aren’ aren’tt supp s uppos osed ed to be where where you are, are, or if you are are supp s uppos osed ed to be s omewhe omewhere re that tha t you y ou refu refu s e to go. go . Remem emembe berr the th e sto s tory ry of Jonah in the t he Bi Bible? God God told him him that tha t hi h is pur pu rpos po s e was to t o go g o to to ineveh nev eh to t o warn warn the th e peopl peo plee ther th eree to turn to God. od . Jon Jonah’s ah’s respo es pons ns e was, in in eff effect, “I’ “I’m not no t going!” g oing!” He He got g ot on a shi s hip p headed head ed for Tars Tars his his h, ins ins tead. God had purposed purpos ed that th at Jonah would ould go g o to t o Nineveh Nineveh even before be fore the th e proph prop h et was born. bo rn. Hi His p urpos urp os e had ha d alread already y been b een
completed completed in eterni ete rnity ty,, and now no w God God was s endi end ing him to fulfi fulfilll it. God God didn’t want want Jonah to be b e on a shi s hip p going g oing to Tars Tars his his h when he was meant meant to go to Nineveh. Nineveh. If you get on o n any an y other o ther “shi “sh ip” than the one o ne you yo u were were meant meant to get on, o n, you are going going to to cause caus e other oth erss to have h ave problem problemss . In In Jonah’s cas e, the shi sh ip he got go t on o n came came in dang d anger er of si s inking nking in a terr t erriible sto s torm rm.. He He knew God’ od ’s hand h and was in the si s ituati tua tion on,, s o he tol to ld the th e sai s aillors that th at the th e s torm to rm woul ou ld sto s top p if they th ey woul wou ld throw th row him overboa ov erboard. rd. W hen the th e sai s aillors did thi th is , the s ea becam b ecamee calm, calm, and God God provi prov ided de d a great fis fis h to t o s wall allow Jonah—p Jona h—protect rotectiing him from from the th e sea s ea unt u ntiil he agreed a greed to t o do d o what God God had called called hi h im to do. do . (See (See Jonah 1– 2.) I urge you yo u not no t to board b oard the wron wrong g shi s hip, p, but to t o remai remain n on cour cou rs e in in God’ od ’s pur pu rpos po s e. Maybe Mayb e you y ou’’re in in the fis h’s belly belly righ rightt now no w. You You can find your yo ur way way back b ack to dr d ry land by b y retur etu rning ning to what God God has h as purposed purpos ed for for you to do. d o. Vis io n Requir eq uires es a Vital ta l Co Co nnect nn ectiion with with God Many peopl peo plee don’t do n’t recog recogni nizze the vis vis ion God has placed within them th em becaus becau s e they th ey don d on’’t have h ave a vital vital connecti connect ion with God. od . This conn co nnect ectiion with Him needs ne eds to be b e res resto tored red before they can s ee thei th eirr true true purpos p urpos e. Hum Humanki ankind nd as a whole whole los los t its its relations relations hip with with the th e Creator Creator whe when n man man and a nd woman woman turned t urned thei th eir r backs ba cks on o n God God and an d tri t ried ed to t o purs p ursue ue the t heiir own ways way s . God’s od ’s purpo pu rposs e, howeve ho wever, r, nev ne v er change chan gess , and an d si s ince nc e His His purpo pu rposs e is is woven ov en into our ou r des ires, our ou r own ways are never nev er ultim ultimately ately satisfying.
God is comm committed tt ed to t o you y ourr purpos pu rpose, e, and He provided s alvation alvation throug t hrough h Chri Chris t to t o s alvag alvagee His His will and pur pu rpos po s e in in your yo ur li life. He sai s aid, d, in in eff e ffect ect,, “I’m “I’m not no t going g oing to t o los e what I gave gav e you yo u bi b irth to do. d o. I’ I’m goi go ing to s ave you y ou for your you r own sak s akee and s o I can redeem what I want want to accompl accompliis h throug t hrough h you y ou.” .” He He restores rest ores us to Him Hims elf elf s o we can do d o the t he works works He had ha d in mi mind for us befor be foree the th e world world beg b egan. an. Again, A gain, “we “we are God God’s ’s workm orkmans an s hip, creat created ed in Chri Chriss t Jesus Jes us to do good go od works orks , which which God prepared prepa red in in adva ad vance nce for us to do” do ” (Eph (Ephes esiians 2:10). W e are are not s aved by doing doing good g ood works orks but for the pur pu rpos e of doi do ing goo g ood d work workss . In oth o ther er words words,, we we are sav s aved ed to t o fulfi fulfill our ou r earth earthlly vi v is ions on s . If If we are are saved s aved just s o that th at we can go to heaven, h eaven, then God God is taking taking a lon long g ti t ime to accom acco mplis plis h His His plan. The quick q uickes estt way to to heave hea ven n is deat d eath. h. If God wanted an ted us in heav h eaven en immedi ed iatel ate ly, He would save sav e us and then t hen caus e us to di d ie the nex n extt day. God God wants ant s us to accom ac compl pliis h the th e pur pu rpos po s es He’s e’s given given us to fulfi ulfill on earth; earth; that t hat is is why He saves s aves us, us , sanctif sanctifies us, us , and keeps keeps us here here for a time. Once we are restored to God, we receive His Holy Spirit and can see s ee and understand u nderstand the vi v is ion He has placed placed in in our o ur hearts hearts.. We learn to dis dis cern cern true vision vision through throu gh our ou r rel relati ation onss hip hip with with Him and by reading His His Wor Wo rd, becaus bec aus e genu g enuiine vis vis ion is always always in ali alignm gn ment with with His His nature nat ure and an d character. ch aracter. The Bible Bible s ays , “Cas “Casti ting ng dow do wn imagi imaginat natiions on s , and ever ev ery y hi h igh thing that th at exal exaltet teth h itsel ts elff against agains t the th e know kno wledge ed ge of God God”” (2 Cori Corint nthians hians 10:5 kjv). This This verse v erse is talki talking abou ab outt ideas . It It cont co ntiinues nu es,, “Br “Bringi ng ing into capti capt ivity vity ever ev ery y thou th ough ghtt to the obed o bediience of o f
Chris hris t.” Any An y idea that th at is is n’t contrar con trary y to t o the t he Word W ord of God God,, or to obedience ob edience to Chris hris t’s wis wis hes he s for your you r li life, is is a God God idea. de a. God God ideas de as are alway alwayss in agree a greem ment en t with with His His wil will. God God woul wou ld nev n ever er give give you y ou an idea that th at is contrar co ntrary y to t o the t he Bibl Bible. e. That is is impos po s s ible. ble. Theref Therefore, ore, you yo u are to cast cas t down d own any ideas that tha t are contrar con trary y to t o His His W ord. You You are to ignore ign ore them th em.. If If an idea idea is not no t in keepi keep ing with with God’s od ’s wil will, set s et it as a s ide. de . Corporate Vision and Personal Vision The fifth fifth key to unders un derstan tanding ding vi v is ion is to reali realize that th at it is is both bo th perso pe rsona nall and an d corpo co rporate; rate; pers pe rson onal al visi vis io n wil will alway alwayss be found foun d with withiin a larger corporate corpo rate vision. It is is not no t God God’s ’s meth method od to gi g ive a vision to a gr g roup. ou p. He He gives gives the vi v is ion to t o an indivi individu dual al who s hares hi h is vis vis ion with with the t he gr g roup ou p and an d transf trans fers ers it to them t hem.. The mem members bers of o f the gr g roup ou p then th en run with with the t he vi v is ion becaus becau s e they find in it a pl p lace for their their own own personal perso nal vis vis ions on s to be fulfilled. Moses Mos es was cons trai trained ned by b y a vis vis ion to del d eliiver the peopl peop le of Israel and lead them th em to the th e Prom Promiis ed Land Land.. Jos Jos hua hu a was motivated by b y a vis vis ion to t o pos po s s ess es s that t hat land. David David was was driven driven by a visi vis io n to t o set s ettle tle God God’s ’s peo p eop p le. Neh Nehem emiiah was pos po s s ess es s ed by a visi vis io n to t o rebui rebu ild the t he walls walls of Jerusalem Jerus alem.. In every ev ery cas e, the vision was given to an indi ind ividual vidua l who was ultim ultimately respo es pons ns ible ble for seei s eeing ng it throug t hrough, h, and the indi nd ividu vidual al trans trans ferr erred it to a gr g roup. ou p. W o rki rking Toget Tog ethe herr to Fulfi Fulfill the th e Vi Vis ion When a per p erso son n s tarts tarts to sense s ense his his purpose and gif gift, he
often inte interrprets this as a call call to auton au tonom omy y and s eparation eparation.. However, nothing no thing could co uld be furth further er fr from the truth. A s ens e of perso pe rson n al visi vis ion is birthed birthe d with withiin a broad b roader er vis vis ion, on , and it wi will als als o be b e fulfi fulfillled in the t he contex con textt of o f a larger larger purpos purpo s e. This This is how ho w God weaves personal perso nal and corporate vision toget to gether. her. In or o rder to accom acco mplis plis h a corporate co rporate purpo p urposs e or o r mak makee a larger larger vision come come to pas pa s s , God b ring ringss tog to g ethe et herr many an y peo p eople’s ple’s pers p erson onal al gifts gifts and an d uni un ique qu e visions. visions . God God wants ant s you yo u to t o br b ring your yo ur tim time, energy energy,, resou es ourrces, ces , and creati creative ve pow po wer to be b e par p artt of o f a lar larger ger vis vis ion to which hich your yo ur vis vis ion is connect con nected. ed. We know that a car ca r functi un ction onss onl on ly when all the parts of the engi eng ine are work workiing tog t ogether. ether. Although Althou gh each part p art has its uni un ique qu e characteri characteris tics tics and private private functi un ction onss , all all the parts “sub “s ubm mit” to to one on e anoth ano ther er to make the car run run.. The The s ame ame princ princiiple holds true for corporate and an d personal perso nal vis vis ion. on . No No great work work was was ever done do ne by b y jus jus t one on e person. perso n. Many peopl peo plee are needed to fulf fulfill a vision. Read Read history. hist ory. Read Read the th e Bi Bible. A group grou p of men men,, for for exam example, ple, supp su pported orted and hel he lped pe d Dr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in fulfilling his vision. We all know Dr. King’ ng ’s nam na me, but we hear hea r very ve ry li littl tt le about abo ut thes th esee othe ot herr men, en , even thoug tho ugh h they th ey were were ess es s ential to hi h is pur pu rpos po s e. Dr Dr. King coul cou ld not no t hav h avee fulfi fulfillled his vision withou th outt their t heir ass as s is tance. tan ce. Li Likewis ewis e, we don’t do n’t know know the nam n ames es of thos e who who helped helped Moses Mos es judge udg e and arbitrate arbitrate betw bet ween the peopl peo plee of o f Is Is rael, ael, but they were ere an ess es s ential s uppo up porrt elem element ent in the purpos p urpos e of leading leading the peop p eoplle that God had h ad gi g iven Mos es. es . Tho Thoss e men men work worked har h ard. d. They had to ex e xecute ecu te jud judgm gmen entt and an d keep everyon ev eryonee in in order, o rder, yet we kno know w onl on ly Mos Mo s es’ es ’ name. name. Moses Mos es received eceived a per p erss onal on al vis vis ion, on , but bu t all all
these thes e men men were were needed to s ee the cor co rporate vis vis ion through. (See Ex Exo d u s 18: 18:13– 13– 26.) 26.) Go Go d wil will brin brin g tog to g eth et h er pri p riv v ate at e purpo pu rposs es and an d vi v is ions on s in order o rder to facili facilitate ta te corp c orpo o rate suc s ucces ces s . When people don’t under und erss tand or accept the relati relations ons hip hip between be tween perso pe rson n al and an d corpo co rporate rate vi v is ion, on , there th ere can be b e problem pro blemss . If the th e mem members bers of the th e group g roup thi th ink they the y are a re inferi inferior or to the th e perso pe rson n with with the th e original original vis vis ion, on , or the th e lead leader er starts st arts to thi th ink he is more impo importan rtantt tha t han n the t he membe embers, rs, or o r if if one on e or o r more more of o f the members embers wants to sup s upplant plant the person pers on who has the larger larger vis vis ion, on , that is when the trouble wi will begi beg in. Mos es had the latter problem pro blem with with Miri Miriam and an d Aaron A aron,, his s is ter te r and an d broth b rother. er. God had appo ap poiinted nt ed them t hem all all as leaders. ead ers. (See (See Micah 6:4 6:4.) Mos Mo s es, es , how ho wever, was was the one on e who had h ad received eceived the origi original nal vis vis ion, on , and he was the th e one on e wi with whom who m God met di d irectly rectly and an d throug th rough h whom ho m God s pok po ke. When Wh en Miri Miriam and A aron becam b ecamee jealou jealouss of Mos es and wanted ant ed to t o us u s urp his role, role, it it caus cau s ed turm t urmoi oill within that th at leader leade rs hip gr g roup. ou p. God God had ha d to t o remi remind Miri Miriam and Aaron Aa ron in a very graphic way way that th at it it is is His pur pu rpos po s es that prevail prevail, not our o ur priva private te am a mbitions . (See (See Numbe Numbers rs 12: 12:4–15 4–15.) However, Howeve r, if we are are in in line with with Go d’s natu na ture re and charact ch aracter, er, we we wil will d esi es ire wha whatt He des de s ires, res , and we wi will be fulfi fulfillled in a way we neve ne verr coul cou ld hav h avee been be en by b y followi followin n g our o ur own ambition ambitionss . We mus mus t have hav e an atti att itude tud e of cooper coop erati ation on with tho t hoss e wi with whom ho m we share s hare corpo c orporate rate vi v is ion. on . Fulfi Fulfillling your yo ur vi v is ion requir eq uires es your yo ur being being able to s ubm ub mit to others oth ers in in the t he larger larger purpos e. It It means worki orking with your yo ur bos bo s s and coworker coworkerss in a producti produ ctive ve way. It means means not no t tr t rying ying to underm un dermiine the leaders of your you r group or letting letting jealou jealouss y get g et in the th e way of the th e vi v is ion. on . It It means means
not no t going g oing off o ff and trying trying to fulf fulfill a corporate co rporate vi v is ion all all on your yo ur own. If If we are goi go ing to do s ometh omethiing for God s o tha t hatt the th e worl world will be better bet ter off becau bec auss e we were were here, we we can’t can ’t do that th at with with a priva private te,, indi nd ividuali vidu aliss t attitu at titude de.. It It is impo importan rtantt for us to be cautious cau tious when we’r we’re deal de aliing with vision. Let Let us u s be cogn co gniizant of God God’s ’s ways and work with them th em rather than th an agains a gainstt them th em.. Drawi Drawing ng Out the th e Vi Vis ion When we understand un derstand the relati relations ons hip hip betw b etween een per p erss onal and corporate vision, we will know a chief way in which God fulfills peop pe oplle’s dream d reamss . Pro Pro verbs ve rbs 20:5 s ays ay s , “The purp p urpos os es of a man man’s ’s heart hea rt are are [li [like] deep waters, ate rs, but bu t a man man of o f unde un derrs tanding tan ding draw d rawss them out.” ou t.” In In other o ther words words,, everyo everyone ne has h as a vis vis ion in hi h is heart, but bu t a pers p erson on of unde un derst rstan anding ding caus cau s es that th at dream d ream,, that th at purpo pu rposs e, that th at vi v is io n to t o be b e broug bro ught ht out ou t so s o it can beco b ecom me reali reality. ty . A perso p erson n of o f underst und erstan anding ding wil will figu figurati ratively vely lower lower a buck buc ket into the deep well ell-waters of o f your sou s oull and begi beg in to t o dr d raw out what you yo u are a re dreami dreamin g and a nd thi th inking nking.. He He wil will give life life to your yo ur des de s ires and thoug tho ughts hts and thereby help mak makee them th em a reali reality. What Wh at is is the t he proces s by which which thi th is occurs? o ccurs? Af A fter God convey con veyss a vision to a leader, leader, you wil will then—i the n—in n one o ne way or o r anothe ano therr—come —come into contact con tact with this person, perso n, who wil will pres present ent the th e corporate co rporate vi v is ion, on , and you y ou wil will becom bec omee exci excited ted about abo ut parti pa rticipat cipatiing in it becau bec auss e you yo u wil will s ee how h ow your yo ur priv priv ate at e visi vis ion find findss fulfi fulfilllment in it. It is is ess es s ential en tial for you yo u to t o und u nderst erstan and d that t hat God bring bringss the corporate vision into into your yo ur li life not no t to give you yo u vis vis ion, on , which hich He has alr already given you, yo u, but to t o sti s tirr up your yo ur perso pe rson n al visi vis ion. on . In In oth o ther er word wordss , you yo u don d on’t ’t rece receiive you y ourr visi vis ion
from from othe ot herr peopl peop le, but bu t you y ou are enabl enab led to fulfi fulfilll it throu t hrough gh other oth erss . The The leader leader of the corporate vision helps to acti ac tivate vate your yo ur pass pas s ions on s , dreams dreams , gif gifts, ts , and tal t alents ents . In a s ense, ens e, that is is what I hope hop e to do through this this book boo k. It It is is my des de s ire to t o s tir up your yo ur vi v is ion. on . As I wr wrote ot e earl ea rliier, my my own vis vis ion is to inspir ns piree and draw out ou t the th e hidden leader in in ever ev ery y perso pe rson n I meet meet.. You are a lead leader er in in the t he s pecif pe cifiic purpo pu rposs e God God has ha s given given you to accom acco mpli plis h thr th rough oug h your y our gif gift becaus e no one els els e but bu t you y ou can fulfi fulfill it. I hope ho pe my my vi v is ion of your yo ur pote po tent ntiial for leaders ead ership hip wil will excite excite and an d mot motiivate va te you yo u to t o fulfi fulfilll the th e vi v is ion in your you r heart. heart. Per Perhaps haps s omethi omething ng has alr already begun b egun to happen within you y ou.. Are you yo u s tarting tarting to think dif different erentlly? Are you yo u beginn be ginniing to dream drea m? Are A re you abl ab le to bel be lieve ev e in in the t he pos p os s ibili bility of things things you never n ever though tho ughtt pos s ible ble before? before? Then you have h ave s tarted to catch the vis vis ion for your you r li life. The cor co rporate po rate vision in which which your yo ur person pers onal al vision wil will ultimately be fulfilled might be that of a company, a church, a non-profi no n-profitt organiz o rganization, ation, or o r even your yo ur own fami family. That is why, when you yo u hear h ear of som so mething that th at is is related elated to t o you y ourr vis vis ion, on , you yo u s houl hou ld pay attention attention to it, because becaus e it it may may be b e that th at you’r y ou’ree s uppo up poss ed to attach yourself yo urself to it. You you y ourrs elf elf may be b e given given the cor co rpor po rate vision vision,, s uch as a s s tarting tarting a bus b usiiness nes s or organ organiizing a com co mmuni un ity project. Yet Yet non n onee of o f us is meant ean t to t o com c omplete plete our o ur vis vis ions on s on our ou r own. own. The joy joy of God God’’s plan plan for pers pers onal on al and corporate corporate vis vis ion is that nothi noth ing we are are bor bo rn to t o do d o is to be done d one by ours ou rselves elves or for for ourse ou rsellves ve s . If If you yo u and an d I are are part pa rt of the s ame ame corporate vis vis ion, on , then I need you y ourr vis vis ion, on , and you yo u need n eed mi mine. Therefore, Therefore, we we mus mustt s tay togeth tog ether er and work togeth tog ether er.. We are
not to t o is is olate olate ourselves ourselves in our ou r private private succes s uccesss es. es . I’m not no t involved inv olved in the th e work that th at I’m I’m doi do ing to bui bu ild a nam n amee for mys mys elf. elf. My life’ life’ss work is to com co mplete the th e as s ignm gn ment en t God God gave gav e me. me. Eve Every ry mem membe berr of my my s taff and organi organ ization has a part p art to play play in our o ur vis vis ion. on . My par p artt is to t o s tir tir up their t heir indi nd ividu vidual al dreams dreams , and the t heiir part pa rt is is to s tir up mine. ne . When Whe n we stir s tir up each other oth er’’s vis vis ions on s , the di d ivine depos depo s it of desti des tiny ny s tarts flowi flowing ng.. Vis ion generates gen erates vision. Dream Dreamss always always s tir up other ot her dreams dreams . Whenev Wh enever er I begi beg in to t o feel dis dis cour cou raged, aged , I alw always teleph telephon onee my frien friends ds who hav h avee bi b ig dream d reamss . One One day, da y, I called called my frien friend d Peter Morgan. Morgan . When he heard h eard my my voi v oice, ce, he s aid, aid, “What’s “Wh at’s goi go ing on?” on ?” I sai s aid, d, “I jus justt called called to talk talk to you.” yo u.” He He sai s aid, d, “What’s “Wh at’s wron wrong?” g?” “Nothing; just talk talk to me.” me.” “What do d o you yo u mean?” ean ?” “Jus “Ju s t tal t alk k to me. me. Tell Tell me what you yo u are goi go ing to do with with your yo ur life. life. Tell Tell me me where wh ere you y ou are head h eaded ed.. Let Let me know kno w I’m I’m not no t alon alonee in in pursu p ursuiing a vision.” You need peopl peo plee around you yo u who beli believe in dreams dreams that are are even bi b igger than your y our own own so s o you y ou can keep sti s tirrring up u p your y our vision. There are too to o many many othe ot herr peopl peop le who wil will tell you yo u to to s ettle down and do d o nothing. no thing. Yet Yet a person pers on of o f underst un derstand andiing will s tir tir up your y our purposes. purpos es. A person of understandi understand ing will cause caus e your yo ur dream drea m to ris ris e from from that th at deep d eep well well with withiin you y ou and an d wil will hel he lp you yo u mak makee real progress prog ress tow to ward you y ourr vis vis ion. on . You You’l ’lll begin be gin to bel be lieve ev e that th at,, no matte at terr where you yo u cam ca me from from,, whe where re you’r you ’ree goi go ing is better. bet ter. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion
•Take Take hal h alff an hour ho ur and all allow yours yo ursel elff to dream d ream about abo ut what ha t you yo u would li like to do in lif life. What ideas and des ires do you yo u have? What Wh at have you yo u alw always wanted to do? d o? •Think abou ab outt you y ourr prim primary gifts gifts or talen talents ts.. How How do you y our r dreams dreams and you y ourr gif gifts go tog t ogethe etherr? •Write Write down d own your yo ur ideas ideas , desi des ires, es , and gifts gifts and read them t hem over ov er every every even e veniing for a week. week. Then as k yoursel yourse lf, “Do “Do thes t hes e ideas hol ho ld tr t rue? Ar A re they th ey what I want want to do?” do ?” If the answ ans wer is is yes, yes , keep keep them t hem where you can refer refer to them th em as you yo u read thi th is book bo ok and watch them th em form into nt o a spe s pecif cifiic visi vis ion and an d conc co ncrete rete goal go alss that th at wil will move ov e you yo u along tow to ward the th e completi completion on of your you r purpo pu rposs e.
Chapter Principles 1.Vi .Vis ion com co mes from from purpo pu rposs e. 2.God .God created everythi everyth ing and everyone everyon e wi with a purpos p urpose. e. 3.God .God has placed His His eternal purpos e in in your yo ur heart. 4.You .You were were given a burden b urden or “res “respo pons ns ible urge” to compl complete ete your yo ur purpos e. 5.You were born at the right time to fulfill your purpose. 6.You .Yourr purpos pu rpos e is already already completed completed in God. od . 7.God .God com co mpleted you yo u before b efore He He created you. yo u. 8.The .The fact that tha t you yo u were were started s tarted is is proof that you y ou are are completed. 9.You were designed to perfectly accomplish your purpose. 10.When you y ou know and underst un derstand and what you yo u were were born to accompli accompliss h, that is pur pu rpos po s e. When you yo u can s ee it it in in you y ourr mind by faith faith,, that th at is vi v is ion. on . 11.Vision is foresight with insight based on hindsight. 12.Vi .Vis ion is n’t about abo ut us. us . It’s It’s abou ab outt God God and His pur pu rpos po s es. es . 13.You .You already already know kno w your yo ur vis vis ion. on . It It is as clos clos e as your yo ur mos mos t persis pe rsiste tent nt tho th o ught ug htss and an d deep d eepes estt des d esiires. res .
14.To have hav e vi v is ion is to have hav e more more than th an a mere mere int interes erestt in s omething; omething; it is is to have hav e a real desi des ire and pas s ion for it. it. 15.Vi .Vis ion persist pe rsistss , no matter att er what the th e odds od ds . 16.Vi .Vis ion is uns un s elfi elfis h. 17.Vision is the only thing that brings true fulfillment. 18.Vi .Vis ion requi requ ires a vi v ital ta l conn co nnect ectiion with with God. od . 19.Pers .Pers onal on al vis vis ion wil will alway alwayss be found fou nd with withiin a larger arge r corporate vision vision.. 20.Thos e who are in in the t he s ame ame corporate co rporate vi v is ion mus t work togethe tog etherr harm harmoni on ious ou s ly to t o achi a chieve eve it. 21.The .The leader of corporate vision vision “draws “draws out” ou t” the t he per p erss onal on al vis vis ions on s of thos e in in the th e group by b y hel h elpi ping ng them to acti act ivate their t heir pas pa s s ions on s , dream drea ms , gifts gifts , and an d talent t alentss . 22.Vi .Vis ion generate ge neratess vision.
Chapter hap ter Three
Overcom erco mi ng Obsta Obstacl cles es to Vi sion si on Medi Med iocrity ocrity is a region region bor bo rdered on o n the t he nor no rth by comprom compromiis e, on the t he south s outh by indecis indecis ion, on the th e east by past p ast think thinkiing, and on the west wes t by a lack lack of vis vis ion. on . —John —Joh n Mas M aso on Understan nd erstanding ding the s our ou rce of vision vision is the th e fi firs t step s tep in the proces pro ces s o f fulfi fulfillling it. The nex n extt ste s tep p is to t o be b e aware of pote po tent ntiial obs ob s tacl tac les in you y ourr life that can derai de raill your yo ur vis vis ion. on . If If you are aware aware of thes e obs ob s tacles ahea a head d of o f time, time, you wil will be prepared p repared to recogni recogn ize and an d overco o vercom me them th em.. Three Three maj major or obs ob s tacl tac les to fulfi fulfillin g v is io n are 1. not no t underst un derstand andiing the nature nat ure of vision vision 2. not no t recog recogniz niziing the th e cost cos t of vis vis ion 3. not no t kno knowi wing ng the th e pri princi nc iples of vision Mos Mo s t peop pe oplle li live in med mediiocr oc rity—a ty —a “reg “regiion bordered bo rdered on the th e north by comprom compromiis e, on the th e south s outh by indecis ndecis ion, on the east by pas pa s t thi th inking nking,, and an d on o n the t he wes t by b y a lack of visi vis ion.” on .” This chapter chap ter wi will s how ho w you how h ow to leave behi beh ind the region egion of mediocrity and move into the realm of the exceptional. Not Unders Und ersta tand ndiing the th e Nature Natu re of Vis io n The mai main n thi th ing abou ab outt visi vis ion is that th at it is is s peci pec ific. fic. One One of o f the th e greatest greates t caus cau s es of fai faillure amon among g peop p eoplle who are pursui purs uing ng their vis vis ions on s is that th at they th ey don’t do n’t iden identi tiffy thei th eirr obj ob jective ective of succes su ccesss .
This may may s ound ou nd s imple, but bu t it is is ver ve ry true: t rue: Peopl Peop le fail fail becaus bec aus e they don’t d on’t know know what what they th ey want to s ucceed in. in. Much of our frus frus tration tration and depres de presss ion comes comes from from not no t maki making ng any headw head way towar t oward d achi ach ieving our ou r vision visionss —even when we kno know w we’re e’re worki working hard. ha rd. This This inabil na biliity to reach our o ur visions vision s occurs oc curs when he n we don’t do n’t aim at a s peci pe cifi ficc target. ta rget. Suppos Suppo s e I came came to you yo u and an d s aid, aid, “Let’s “Let’s meet.” meet.” You You s ay, “Okay “Okay;; where?” whe re?” I rep replly , “Oh, “Oh, anywh an ywhere.” ere.” You You ask as k, “Well “W ell,, whe when n do you want to t o meet?” meet?” and I say, “Anyti “Any tim me.” e.” What Wh at do you think are the chances that we will actually meet? Practically zero. Vi Vis ion mus t be b e spe s peci cifi ficc rather rathe r than general ge neral or vague. vag ue. Mis Mis underst un derstand andiing the Difference betw bet ween Vision, Goals, and Mission I have hav e ask as ked many many peopl peo ple, e, “What are are you yo u going g oing to do with your yo ur li life? What W hat is your yo ur vis vis ion?” on ?” and an d I us ually ually receive receive respons esp ons es s uch as these: thes e: “I’ “I’m going to build build a big big hous h ous e, own own s everal eve ral cars, cars , and have hav e a goo g ood d fami family.” “I wan wantt to t o get g et marr marriied.” “I want to open a res res taurant taurant s omeday.” omeday.” These are not vis vis ions , but bu t mere mere goals. go als. When Wh en I ask as k pas tors the t he sam s amee ques que s tion tion,, they gener gen eral allly give me one o ne of the th e foll following owing ans wers: “My vision is to win win my my ci c ity to Chri Chris t.” “My vi v is ion is to ‘preach the th e gos go s pel to every creature’ creat ure’ (Ma (Mark rk 16:15 kjv).” kjv).” “Our visi vis ion as a church ch urch is to know no w Him Him and an d to t o make make Hi Him known.” known .” “Our vision is to equip eq uip peo p eople ple for the th e work o f the ministry.” nis try.”
None of o f the th e abov ab ovee ans an s wers wers are visi vis ions on s . They The y are mi mis s ions on s . Why? Wh y? They Th ey are too to o gene g eneral ral for visions . Vis ion and an d mi mis s ion are related elated,, but they are not the t he s ame ame thi th ing. ng . A mi mis s ion is a gener gen eral al s tatement tatement of purpos e that tha t decl dec lares ares the over ov eral alll idea of o f what you yo u want to accompl accompliis h. It It is phi p hillos ophi op hical cal and abs ab s tract, not practi pract ical and con c oncrete crete.. Moreov Mo reover, er, it is is open op en-end -ended ed,, s o tha t hatt you y ou could could s pend hour hou rs , even even days d ays,, talk talking about abou t its its many as pects and appl app lication cationss . In In contras co ntrast, t, a vis vis ion is a very pr p recis ecis e s tatement tatement that has a specif s pecifiic emph emphas asiis and definab definablle boun bo unda dari ries es.. I som so metimes etimes wonde on derr how som s omee peop p eoplle hav h avee made made it as far as they have without thou t understand u nderstandiing vis vis ion. It is is ess es s ential ential that you yo u learn learn the t he di d ifference erence between vi v is ion and mis s ion becaus becau s e God is not no t vagu v aguee about abo ut your yo ur li life. You You were desi des igned gn ed to t o be be uni un ique qu e and an d to t o fulfi fulfill a parti pa rticular cular purpos pu rpos e. If If you are to carr c arry y out o ut this s pecifi pecific pur pu rpos po s e, your you r vis vis ion has to be s pecifi pecific. Othe Otherrwis e, you yo u wil will be jus t lik like everyon ev eryonee else around aroun d you y ou.. Rem Remem ember, ber, your yo ur vision—li vision—like your yo ur fi fingerpri ng erprint ntss —is —is meant ean t to disti dist inguish ng uish you yo u from from every ev ery othe ot herr person pers on in the t he world. world. Let me us u s e the t he Chris hris tian church ch urch as an exam example. ple. The ass as s ignm gn ment that t hat the t he youn yo ung g Jewi Jewis h rabbi, rabbi, Jes Jesus us,, gave His His foll followers two thou th ouss and year yea rs ago—“G ag o—“Go o into all the th e worl world d and an d preach preac h the t he goo g ood d news n ews”” (Mark 16:1 6:15)—is )—is called called the t he Great Great Comm ommis s ion. on . It It is the th e “co-m “c o-miis s ion,” on ,” the th e joint joint or corporate co rporate mis s ion of the chu c hurch. rch. It It is is every eve ry Chri Chriss tian’s mi mis s ion. on . What Wha t s incere church does not no t want want to preach the Gos Gos pel to every ev ery perso pe rson n , bring bring peop pe oplle to God, od , and equ e quiip peo p eople ple to mi ministe nis terr to others ot hers?? Therefore, if a church think t hinkss its parti pa rticular cular vision is to to
preach preac h the t he Go Go s pel pe l, then th en it has ha s a mi mis tak ta ken idea ide a of vision. vision . It know no ws its mis s ion, on , but it hasn’t has n’t yet found foun d its its true vis vis ion, on , that one on e thi th ing that distinguishes distinguish es it from from all all other oth er churches. churches . One chur chu rch is is not no t ass as s igned gn ed where where another anot her church is is ass as s igned. gn ed. That is why an a n individual individual chur chu rch s houldn’t ho uldn’t compare compare itsel ts elff with other o ther chur chu rches in its city or nation or us e anothe ano ther r chur chu rch as a meas measure ure of its its own succes s ucces s . Vi Vis ion is a distinctive distinctive direction direction or approac ap proach h for accom acco mplis plis hing a mis s ion. on . There is is a uni un ique qu e way way in whi which ch God God wants each church ch urch to carr carry out o ut the t he overal ov eralll mis s ion of the th e Great Great Comm Commis s ion. on . Each Each church ch urch is to fulfi fulfilll its part pa rt of the mi mis s ion thr th rough ou gh the th e spe s peci cifi ficc emph emphas asiis or approach app roach tha t hatt God God has given it. The sam s amee general gen eral principl principlee holds true for individuals, companies, and other organizations. One ti t ime a woman woman came came to me and an d s aid, “Dr. “Dr. Munroe, Mun roe, I have hav e a vision vision.. I’ I’m goi go ing to open op en up u p a s hoe ho e store. s tore.”” I said, “Fi “Fine.” Then s he sai s aid, d, “There “There are are alr already s o many many s hoe ho e stores s tores in thi th is area, but bu t I kno know w the th e Lord Lord has h as tol to ld me me that th at I mus mus t go g o into thi th is bus bu s ines ne s s .” I asked as ked her, he r, “W “Wha hatt kind kind o f s hoes ho es do you yo u want to s ell ell?” She sai s aid, d, “I want to s ell ell onl on ly chi ch ildren’s and babies ba bies’’ s hoes .” When Wh en I heard heard that, th at, I told told her h er,, “Then “Then you y ou under und erss tand vis vis ion. on . Thos e other oth er s tores s ell ell all all kinds nd s of adult adult sho s hoes es,, but bu t your yo ur store st ore wi will be uni u niqu que. e. When anyon any onee wants children’s children’s s hoes or babies babies’’ shoes, sho es, they’ they ’re goi go ing to walk alk right past pas t thos th osee other oth er stor sto res. es . They They’’re goi go ing to look oo k for you.” you .” When Wh en you y ou tr t ruly uly und u nder erss tand the di d ifference erence between b etween mi mis s ion and vision, you y ou wil will be protect prot ected ed from from jealous y. You You won’t on ’t beco be com me si s idetracked de tracked from your yo ur purpo pu rposs e by cons co ns tan ta n tly loo looki king ng
over your you r shoul sho ulder der to s ee what what others who s hare your mi mis s ion are are doi d oing ng.. Let’s Let’s return to t o the t he analogy of the Chris hris tian tian chu c hurrch. Although Althou gh ever ev ery y chur chu rch in in the th e worl world d is is in the th e sam s amee bus iness nes s of “disci “dis cipli pling ng the th e nati nat ions on s ,” if if s omeon omeonee were were to bui bu ild a church ch urch righ rightt nex n extt to anot an other her church, chu rch, a big big figh fightt mi might gh t ens en s ue. ue . The The first first church chu rch mi might gh t s ay, ay , “This is my terri territory. to ry. God God gave gav e me me this t his neigh neighbo borrhood ho od.. Get Get your yo ur chur chu rch out ou t of o f here.” here.” The mem members bers of the two churches mi might end up u p s uspi us pici cious ous of one another anoth er,, fighti gh ting ng all all the tim time and an d putting pu tting each eac h other oth er down. That is what happens happen s when churches churches don’t d on’t unders unders tand vis vis ion. When you’ you ’ve di d is covered your you r own own vi v is ion, how ho wever, ever, you do not need n eed to be b e jeal jealous ous of anyo anyone ne becaus e there’ there’s no need n eed for for compet competiition. This This truth was dem de mons on s trated to me me in in a very v ery tangibl tan giblee way. One One day, day , I was talki talking with a man man who owns the th e McDonal McDon ald’s d’s fran franchis chisee in the t he Baham ah amas as.. Whi Wh ile we were talki talking, ng , the owner of the Kentuck Kentuc ky Fri Fried Chick Chicken en franchi anch is e stop s topped ped by. by . He int introdu roduced ced hims hims elf elf to me, me, and I said, “It’s “It’s good go od to meet you.” yo u.” I was curiou curiouss , s o I added, add ed, “What ar a re you doi do ing her h ere?” e?” He ges tured tow to ward ard my my fri friend and s aid, aid, “We’re “We’re goi go ing to have hav e lunch un ch tog t ogethe etherr.” I decided to go with them, them, becaus e I wante wanted d to s ee where where they th ey would end up eating eating.. They They went to Piz Pizza Hut! I s at at a tab t ablle eating pi p izza wi with them t hem and an d obs o bs erving erving them th em whil while the t hey y tal ta lked. Fina Finallly, I s aid, “Ex “Excus cu s e me, me, gen g entlem tlemen en.. Firs Firstt of all all, aren’t aren’t you y ou compet competiitors?” tors ?” They both bo th s aid, aid, “No.” “No.” I ask as ked, “What “Wh at do you yo u mean?” mean?” My friend ans wered, ered, “He “He does doe s n’t sel s elll what ha t I sel s elll. I don’t do n’t sel s elll what he h e sel s ellls . How How can we be in competiti competition on?” ?” Then I said, “Second ques q ues tion tion.. Why Wh y did you
come come here?” h ere?” He repli replied, “We “W e di d idn’t dn ’t feel like eating ea ting burgers b urgers or chicken. We felt like eating pizza!” There is is a pl p lace for all all three es tablis tablis hments hments becaus becau s e each restau rest aurant rant has ha s its own spe s peci cifi ficc vision. Each Each offers offers a di d ifferent fferent produ pro duct ct in the th e overal ov eralll mis s ion of serving s erving food. foo d. Bus Bus ines ne s s es, es , organiz organization ationss , churches, churches , and indi nd ividu vidual alss can learn the true nature nat ure of o f vis vis ion from from the th e exam example ple of thes th esee tw t wo men. en . I travel travel arou around nd the world orld and a nd s peak at large large chu c hurrches alon alongs gs ide well ell-kno -know wn pas pa s tors. to rs. Sometim Sometimes es,, I notice no tice certain approaches or method methodss that thei t heirr churches churches are are us ing. I see that th at peop pe oplle gravi grav itate ta te to t o certain ce rtain mi ministri nis tries es,, and I’m tem te mpted pt ed to t o imi imitate ta te them th em,, thi th inking nking,, “I shou sh oulld try that. th at. Maybe May be I can get g et more more people peo ple to come come if if I do what they th ey do.” d o.” Yet Yet the t he Lord Lord says s ays to me, “Don “Don’t ’t you yo u dare.” d are.” If I try to imitate ta te othe ot hers rs,, I won’t won ’t be fulfi fulfilllin g the t he s peci pec ific fic purpos pu rposee and an d vi v is ion He has given me, me, and I wi will no longer on ger have ha ve His full full bless bles s ing. ng . He He say s ayss , in in effect, “I’m “I’m not no t going g oing to bles blesss what you yo u create. I’ I’m goi go ing to bless what I create.” create.” We mus mus t be tr t rue to t o our o ur own own vi v is ions on s . Each Each of o f us mus mustt measur easu re the s uccess ucces s of our vis vis ions by God’s as s ignment gnment to us. us . We need n eed to t o as k our ou rs elves elves this ques q ues tion tion:: “Am I doi do ing what God God told me me to do?” do ?” Engaging ng aging in W is hful Thinki Thinking Anoth An other er reas reason on peopl peo plee aren’t aren’t specif s pecifiic about abo ut their t heir vis vis ions on s is that th at the t hey’r y’ree caug ca ught ht in a trap of wis wis hful thinki thinking. ng . Their Their dreami dreaming does n’t go beyon b eyond d vague v ague ideas of o f what what they th ey would would lik like to do “som “s omed eday.” ay.” Yet Yet dream d reamiing is onl on ly the t he beg b egiinni nn ing of vis vis ion. on . We
s hould ho uld have hav e wi wills rather than tha n mere mere wi wis hes . In other oth er words words , instead ns tead of wi wis hing hing that tha t thi t hing ngss woul ou ld get g et better, b etter, we we mus mus t mak makee concrete res resol oluti utions ons . We have to s ay, “Thi “Things ngs must us t get g et better, and here, he re, s peci pec ificall fically, y, is is what I’m I’m goi go ing to do about abo ut it.” For exam example, ple, ins ins tead tea d of o f saying, sa ying, “I wi wis h I could co uld go to college college,” ,” si s it dow do wn today, tod ay, wri write s pecifi pecific col co lleges with reques equ ests ts for appl app lications cation s , and when the t hey y ar a rrive, rive, start s tart fil filling them th em out. ou t. Instead ns tead of sayi say ing, ng , “I wis h I could los los e wei weigh ght,” t,” see s ee your yo ur doctor docto r and go on a specif s pecifiic weigh weight-l t-los os s plan. Make a decis decis ion, on , and then take the fir firs t step. s tep. People’s People’s succes s ucces s or fai faillure in in lif life is is not no t depend dep endent ent on o n the th e col co lor of o f thei the ir sk s kin. You You can be black, white, white, brown, b rown, yel ye llow, or red, and that th at won’t on ’t affect affect the th e fulfi fulfilllment en t of o f your you r vis vis ion. on . The real problem pro blem is the th e col co lor of som s omee peop pe oplle’s live livess ; their th eir lives ve s are “gray.” Such Such peopl peo plee don d on’’t have h ave a pr p recis ecis e way of li living. They’r They ’ree jus jus t here. h ere. They drift drift alon along, g, all allowing owing life to happ h appen en to them. God does do esn’t n’t want want anyon any onee to live in a gray zon zone. e. When s omeon omeonee is is living ving in the t he gr g ray, it it means means that person perso n is not n ot s aying aying yes or no, but maybe. maybe. He He never quite quite settl s ettles es on one thing in his heart. There are millions of people who still aren’t s ure who who they are, what they t hey’’re about, abo ut, and what they’r th ey’ree doing. These Thes e peop p eoplle are li living ving in the gray. They have h ave no real intenti nten tion on of doing anyth an ythiing with their lives . What a depress d epress ing reali eality. God has inves ted s o much much in us. us . He He hates to s ee us wasti as ting ng our ou r lives ve s in wis wis hful thi th inking nking.. He He wants us to place our ou r feet on the s oli olid ground grou nd of o f vis vis ion. on .
Living with with Indecis Ind ecisiion Many peopl peop le’s e’s vis vis ions never take take speci s peciffic shape s hape becaus e they th ey can’t c an’t mak makee up u p the t heiir mi minds nd s what ha t they t hey want an t to t o do d o in li life. The only o nly decision decision they make ake is is not no t to t o decide. Pr Prolon olonged ged indecisivene nd ecisiveness s is a vision-ki vision-killer, and an d it it also drains drains the th e joy joy out ou t o life. I’ I’ve noticed no ticed tha t hatt the t he mos t mi mis erable erable peop p eoplle in the th e world world are thos th os e who who can neve n everr make a deci de ciss ion. on . The Bi Bible expres expresss es thei th eir r s ituation tu ation well well: “A dou d ouble ble mi minded nd ed man is uns un s tabl tab le in all his ways ay s ” (James (James 1:8 kj kjv, emph emphas asiis added add ed). ). Indeci Indec is ivenes ven esss carri carries over ov er int into o al a ll areas of li life. A per pe rs on who is indecisive nd ecisive is unsettl uns ettled; ed; he’s he’s on shak sh aky y ground. Many of us make ake shop s hoppi ping ng lis ts before before we we go to the t he s tore, but bu t few of us make li lis ts of wha whatt we wan wantt for our ou r liv es. es . As I s aid in chapter ch apter one, on e, many many people— peo ple—perhaps perhaps yourself yo urself—have —have been b een trying trying to deci d ecide de to t o do d o s omething omething for years, yet they s til till haven hav en’t ’t mad madee a soli s olid d decision d ecision abou ab outt it. it. Som Sometim etimes es,, they impos po s e this del de lay on o n them th emss elves elves becaus becau s e of uncertainty uncertainty or fear fear of fail failure; oth o ther er tim times they th ey worry worry abou ab outt what oth o ther er peopl peop le mi might gh t s ay or o r think think about abou t thei th eirr ideas ideas . Yet Yet thes th esee people peo ple are are putting pu tting thems thems elves elves in a dangerous dan gerous pos po s ition tion:: the middl dd le of the road. oad . When Wh en you y ou are ind indeci eciss ive, li life keeps keeps runni un ning ng you yo u over. o ver. I am com co mmitted tt ed to fulfi fulfilling what God gav ga v e me me bi b irth to do. do . I resolved es olved years ago that tha t I wou woulld look onl on ly to God’ od ’s Wor Wo rd and an d the th e vision He put pu t in in my my heart h eart to know no w what ha t I coul cou ld accom ac compli pliss h. In thi t hiss way, God God’’s pur pu rpos po s es and principl principles es have hav e determ de termiined what I’m goi go ing to be and an d do d o rather than my ow o wn fears fears or other oth erss ’ opi op inion nionss . I am s et on my vi v is ion, on , jus t as Jesus Jesu s was s et
on His His . The Bi Bible say s ayss , “Now “Now it it cam ca me to pas s , when when the th e time time had com c omee for for [Jesu [Jesuss ] to be b e recei received ved up, up , that th at He s teadfastl teadfas tly y set s et His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51 nkjv). Jesus set His face “ste “s tead adfas fastly” tly” or o r “li “like fli flint” nt ” (Is (Is aiah 50: 50:7) in in His His dete de term rmiin ati at ion to fulfi fulfilll His His purpos pu rpos e. Fl Flint is one on e of the th e hardes ha rdestt rocks you y ou can find. nd . Thi Thiss analogy means means that after after Jes Jesus us had s et His His goal go al to go to the cros cros s , it it was too late to t o talk talk Hi Him out ou t of o f it. it. He He was s et and determ de termiined to accom acco mplis plis h His His vision. Are you living ving that way? Is ther th eree som s ometh ethiing you y ou have h ave deci dec ided to foll follow through throu gh with with,, no matt matter er what? Are A re you comm committed tt ed to t o a vi v is ion that th at is bi b igger gg er than your yo ur li life? Maki Ma king ng Excus cu s es Sometim Sometimes es,, we we know what we s hould ho uld be b e doing, d oing, but b ut we’re we’re hesi hes itant to t o take that fi firs t step. s tep. We alw always intend nte nd to t o do it, but we neve ne verr do. do . Ins Ins tead, tead , we we mak makee excus excus es, es , such su ch as a s “W “When hen my life life gets get s less es s com co mplicate plicated,” d,” “Whe “W hen n I feel feel more confi con fide dent nt,” ,” or “After I pray abou ab outt it more.” more.” There is is a sto s tory ry of two two fis fis hermen hermen who were were los los t in a sto s torm rm on a lake. lake. The s torm to rm was blowing blowing s o fiercel fiercely y tha t hatt they th ey cou c oulldn’t dn ’t s ee a thing. t hing. One One of the fis hermen hermen s aid aid to his his coll colleague, eagu e, “We have hav e two choices. We can pr p ray or o r row. Whi Wh ich one on e sho s houl uld d we do?” The other oth er answered, answered, “Let’ “Let’ss do both! both !” That’s the th e way way you y ou need to live. live. Ins Ins tead of o f deli deliberating berating abou ab outt what what you y ou need n eed to do, do , jus jus t say, s ay, “Let’s “Let’s row.” row.” Even Even thoug tho ugh h you y ou’’re scared, s cared, keep keep on on rowi rowing. ng . Set Set a des d estination tination even ev en while while you’r yo u’ree praying, and an d God God will gui gu ide you y ou where you need to go. go .
Anoth An other er grou group p of o f peopl peo plee who who have hav e troubl troub le carrying carrying vision vision through throug h to the end en d is is what I call call the “pr “p rofess ional on al s tarters tarters .” They’re They’re alw always begi beg inni nn ing s ometh omethiing, ng , but they never nev er fi finis nis h anything. any thing. For exam example, ple, they the y have h ave books bo oks they t hey’’ve never nev er finis nis hed, hed , yet they th ey keep starti s tarting ng new ones . Noth Nothiing in the t he world world feels eels as good goo d as reading eading through t hrough to the las lastt page of o f a book boo k becau be causs e then th en you y ou kn ow that th at tha t hatt boo b ook k is in you y ou and an d no n o one o ne can take it it aw a way from from you. yo u. Eve Everyth rythiing you yo u leave unfi un finish nished ed wil will discourage you from completing other projects. The unfinished has a way of haunti haun ting ng your yo ur li life. Seeking “Balance” Some Some people peo ple don’t do n’t want want to t o focus on a s pecifi pecific goal goa l becaus becau s e they th ey fear thei the ir li lives ve s might gh t not n ot be well well-bal ba lanced an ced.. They s ay things s uch as thes e: “I don’t do n’t real reallly want to go after after anythi anyth ing in parti p articular cular becaus bec aus e then th en I wi will be cl c los ing off other ot her options op tions . I don’t do n’t want to becom be comee too to o narr n arrow,” ow,” or “If “If I becom be comee too to o seri s eriou ouss about abo ut s ometh omethiing, ng , I mi might gh t mi mis s what I reall really y want to t o do in life.” fe.” The problem p roblem is that th at peo p eople ple wi will s ay thi th ings ng s like thes th esee for forty forty-five years and an d never nev er end up u p doi do ing anyth an ythiing at al a ll! What Wh at they the y call a purs p ursuit uit of bal b alan ance ce is reall really an excu excuss e for not no t maki making ng a decision decision.. They end en d up u p being being average, mediocr mediocree peop p eoplle. True balance b alance is the th e mainte maintena nan n ce of o f equi equ ilibrium brium whil while mov moviin g toward toward a des de s tinat tinatiion. on . A goo g ood d exam exampl plee of thi th is truth is the way a s hip hip functions on the t he ocean. oce an. A shi s hip p alw always needs need s to mai mainta ntaiin its bal ba lance. anc e. Woul Wou ldn’t dn ’t it it be a waste was te of o f preciou preciouss time time and fuel, fuel, how ho wever, ev er, for a boat boa t to expe expend nd all all its energy ene rgy jus jus t trying to bal ba lance an ce on o n the t he water wat er so that th at it didn’t didn ’t tip tip ove o ver? r? Som Somee peop pe oplle
live for si s ixty-f ty -fiive years y ears,, seven sev enty ty-f -fiive years y ears,, nine ninety ty years, yea rs, jus jus t bal ba lancing an cing.. Yet balanc b alancee is is not no t an end en d in its its elf; elf; it is is a mean meanss to an end. end . A ship s hip keeps keeps its balance as it mak makes es its way to t o a s pecifi pecific port. po rt. Likewi kewis e, we we need ne ed to t o hav h avee a des de s tinati tinat ion whil while we’re we’re maint aintai aining ning balance in our ou r li lives ve s . Trying Trying to t o Do Everyt Everything hing A comm common reason eas on peopl peo plee aren’t specif s pecifiic abou ab outt thei t heirr vis vis ions on s is that tha t they t hey’’re tr t rying ying to do too much. uch . Their Their prob probllem is n’t that th at they’re they’re hes itant about abou t getti g etting ng s tarted, tarted, but that they’re they’re running running arou around nd attem at tempting pting too many thi t hing ngss . Even tho t houg ugh h they th ey are cons con s tantl tant ly cons co nstructi tructing ng s ometh omethiing, ng , they’re they’re actual actu allly bui b uillding ding nothing no thing at all all becaus becau s e they never n ever compl complete ete anything. any thing. Why does this this happen? happ en? Becaus Becausee mos mostt peopl peo plee mak makee the mis take of believ believiing that th at the t he mai main n goal g oal in in life life is is to s tay bus bu s y. Yet thi th is way of o f thinki thinking is a trap. Bus Bus ynes yn esss does do es not no t necess neces s ari arily equal equ al progres progresss ; stayi s taying ng bus b usy y does do es not necess n ecess ari arily mean that t hat you yo u are headi head ing toward toward a s pecifi pecific des tinat tinatiion. on . I have learned learned thi th is very im impor po rtant truth that t hat has s et me me free free from both bo th indeci nd eciss ion and ineffecti neffective ve bus b usyn ynes esss : I was was not no t born b orn or created created to do everythi everyth ing. ng . Thi Thiss s tatement tatement might gh t be a good go od thing to put p ut at the th e top of o f your yo ur off office or hous ho us ehol eho ld calend calendar. ar. When Wh en we aim at eve e veryth rythiing, ng , we we us u s ual ua lly hi h it not n othing. hing. Yet Yet mos mos t of us are break breakiing our ou r necks necks trying trying to hit hit ever ev eryth ythiing in s ight. gh t. Let me me ass as s ure you: yo u: You You were ere not no t born b orn to meet all the needs need s on earth. It is is very v ery easy to t o becom bec omee concer conc erned ned abou ab outt the th e many many
problem pro blemss we face face in thi th is world. world. Com Compa pass s ion is n ot onl on ly an admi admirable rable qua q uallity, ty , but it is also als o an ess es s enti ent ial elem element ent of vision. However, owever, you cannot canno t try to meet every need around you and s till till be eff e ffective ective in in hel h elping ping peop p eoplle. The more more needs nee ds you yo u attem at tempt pt to meet, meet, the les lesss attenti atten tion on you’l yo u’lll be abl ab le to devo d evote te to each indi nd ividual vidua l need. ne ed. All All the needs n eeds that you y ou s ee in in your yo ur nation nation cannot be met met by you. yo u. All All the trouble that you y ou s ee in in you y ourr comm communi un ity cann ca nnot ot be be s olved olved by b y you. y ou. All All the pr p roblem oblemss that you y ou s ee on your y our str st reet cannot be addr add ress es s ed by you. you . Thi Thiss reali eality is is the reason why you yo u mus mustt di d is cover cov er your personal perso nal vis vis ion from God and then the n s tay on track with with it. You You were mean meantt to t o meet meet certai c ertain n need n eedss , not every need. need . God created you y ou for a purpos e, and that t hat purpos p urpos e is is s uppos upp osed ed to be your yo ur focus focus . It It is is what mus mustt moti motivate vate you yo u and keep you y ou center cente red on o n what is is mos t im impor po rtant for you to be be invol nv olved ved in. While While you s hould ho uld be open op en to the vari v ariou ouss ways in which hich God may dir direct you y ou to help others, oth ers, you yo u mus mustt not n ot becom beco me s idetrack de tracked ed by b y a myri myriad ad of o f needs nee ds , becaus becau s e there th ere wi will alw always ay s be more needs than tha n you yo u can person pers onal allly handl han dle. e. Being Perplex Perplexed ed over ov er Mul Mu ltiple Talen Talents ts Some Some people peo ple never nev er pur pu rs ue thei th eirr true vis vis ions on s becaus becau s e they have hav e the th e “problem “p roblem”” of being multi multi-tal -talen ented ted,, of being able a ble to do do many things . A mi mis underst un derstand andiing of their gif gifts caus es many talente talented d and intel nte lligent gen t peop p eoplle to be ineffecti neffective ve and uns un s ucces s ful in in lif life. These Thes e peopl peo plee say, s ay, “I have s o many many gif gifts that I don’t do n’t kno know w which ones I’m s uppo up poss ed to us e. I want to to devel dev elop op all all of them.” them.” As a resul resu lt, they devel dev elop op none no ne of o f them to
profi pro ficiency ciency.. I have ha ve man many y interes inte rests ts mys elf. elf. I’m I’m a teach tea cher, er, a preache preac her, r, a sp s p eaker, and an d a wri writer. te r. I can also pai pa int, nt , s cul cu lp t, and write rite and an d pl p lay mus mus ic. Howeve Howeverr, I have hav e had ha d to t o focus focu s on s peci pec ific fic gifts in order to be effective in life. Let me me ask as k you yo u thi th is : Have you y ou ever seen se en anyo an yone ne who becam be camee suc s ucces ces s ful in life life by doing d oing eve e veryth rythiing? ng ? Think abo ab o ut peop pe oplle su s u ch as a s Helen Helen Keller, Keller, Picas Picas s o, Marie Marie Curi Curie, e, Tige Tiger r Wood Wo odss , tennis ten nis cham c hampions pions Seren Serenaa and an d Venu Venuss W illiams ams , Bi Bill Gates, ates , and Moth Mo ther er Theresa. Each Each of o f thes e peopl peo plee did one or o r two thi th ings ng s very ve ry wel welll, and it becam b ecamee the th e sou s ource rce of thei the ir li life and their th eir pros pro s peri pe rity ty.. It It mad madee room roo m for them the m in the t he world world . When a person tri tries to do d o everything, everything, he ends end s up becom b ecomiing a “jack-of “jack-of-al -alll-trad -trades es and master as ter of non n one.” e.” I’m I’m s ure you y ou know no w s ome ome mul multi ti--gif gifted people peo ple who who s eem to have hav e the th e bes t chances ch ances o s ucces s but bu t who aren’t doing an ythi yth ing with thei the ir li lives . You You have to guard agains againstt the temptati temptation on to try to do d o everything. everything. o matt matter er how man many y gi g ifts you y ou have, ha ve, don’t do n’t let let them th em distract dist ract you. yo u. You You mus t deci dec ide to concent con centrrate on o n one o ne or o r two gif gifts, ts , and then s tir tir them up. up . Don Don’’t worr worry abou ab outt los los ing the other oth er gif gifts. ts . Decide ecide which which gift gift you yo u are going going to s tir tir up; up ; as you yo u sti s tirr that one on e up, up , the th e oth o ther er gifts gifts wil will follow follow it. it. God God wil will not no t waste was te what He has ha s given given you. yo u. Not Reco Recogn gniizing the th e Cos Cos t of o f Vis ion The seco s econd nd obs ob s tacl tac le to fulfi fulfilling vision is not n ot recogn eco gniizing the th e cos co s t of o f accom acco mplis plis hing it. I thi th ink many many people peo ple believe believe that th at s ucces s ful peopl peo plee are are born succes s ucces s ful. In reali reality, succes s ucces s
comes comes in install ins tallm ments ent s , si s imilar to a paym pay ment en t pl p lan. It’s a proces proce s s , and I’l I’ll talk more abou ab outt that t hat proces proce s s later ate r in in thi th is book. bo ok. You receive receive a litt littlle bi b it of o f succes su cces s toda to day, y, a littl tt le more more tom t omorr orrow, ow, and more next week. One of o f the th e cos ts of vis vis ion is dili diligence. gen ce. All hum hu man bei b eing ngss dream, dream, yet onl o nly y the few who who wake ake up, up , get out o ut of their beds bed s of comfort, and work hard will experience the fulfillment of their dreams dreams . Often, ten , what caus cau s es us not no t to recogni recogn ize and pay p ay the th e cost cos t of o f vis vis ion is the feeli eeling that our ou r li lives are are out ou t of o f our own own control and that th at there’s there’s nothi noth ing we can do to change that. th at. Blaming “Bad Luck” For exam example, ple, if you thi th ink you yo u hav h avee had ha d a s tring tring of bad luck in life life or that th at you y ou are an unlucky u nlucky person pers on,, you wil will probably prob ably not no t make the th e effort effort neces ne cesss ary to make make your yo ur vis vis ion s ucceed uc ceed.. You may thi t hink, nk, “Why “Wh y both b other?” er?” This This type ty pe of o f reason eas oniing can underm un dermiine you y ourr entir en tiree li life, destroy des troyiing your yo ur des ire to achi ach ieve your yo ur goals. You You mus t reali realize that th at you y ou are are not no t defi d efined ned by your yo ur pas pa s t or o r confi co nfin n ed by b y exte external rnal factors facto rs.. Blami aming Outs ide Forces Some Some peop p eoplle bel be lieve that tha t others o thers are are respon resp onss ible ble for causi caus ing thei th eirr visions to fail fail. Maybe May be their t heir parents paren ts couldn’t co uldn’t afford afford to s end them to col co llege, and now no w they are are bitter and resentful es entful becau be causs e they th ey di d idn’t dn ’t purs pu rsue ue the t he careers c areers they th ey wante wan ted d to. t o. Mayb Ma ybee they had chil children dren s ooner oon er than they expected, expected, and this this caused caus ed them th em to feel they th ey had to give up u p thei th eirr dreams dreams . Li Life wi will present pres ent us with chal ch alllenges eng es,, but bu t thi th is fact does do esn’t n’t have to t o der d erai aill our ou r
vis vis ions on s . If If you want s ometh omethiing badl bad ly eno e noug ugh, h, you yo u wil will be patient pa tient in acqu ac quiiring ring it, even ev en if the th e timet timetab ablle is is n’t what y ou woul ou ld have h ave wanted. want ed. Don Don’t ’t all allow your you rs elf elf to feel that th at you y ou are a victi victim m of the acti act ions on s or needs of other oth erss . There are peop pe oplle who who thi th ink that their t heir pas t experi experien ences ces— — educat edu catiional on al,, social s ocial,, spir s piriitual tu al—or —or thei the ir past pas t fail failures preclud precludee them th em from from h avi av ing a vi v is ion for their th eir lives ve s . Pl Pleas e realiz realize thi th is : God is not no t agai ag ains nstt you y ou.. He He is is for you. you . Do Do you y ou believe believe that t hat in your yo ur heart? He stil s tilll has ha s a def de finite plan and an d purpo p urposs e for your yo ur li life in spite s pite of your yo ur background backgroun d or o r your yo ur mi mis takes. takes . No No matt matter er what what you’ve yo u’ve don d one, e, God God is not no t finish finished ed unt u ntiil He’s He’s completed completed what He created created you to be and do. d o. We often im imagine that our ou r pasts pas ts loom oo m larger arger than our ou r futur utu res. es . Som Someti etim mes, es , we we thi th ink that what we have h ave done do ne is s o bad b ad that it is gr g reater than Jesus Jesu s ’ sacrif sacrifice for us on the th e cross cros s . Yet Yet nothi noth ing is s o bad b ad that th at it it can compete compete with with the t he forgi forgivenes venes s of Jesus Jesu s . If If you yo u have ha ve had h ad a baby bab y out o ut of o f wedlock, edlock, if if you yo u have h ave been b een on drugs, drugs , if if you have h ave been to pr p ris on, if if you have hav e betrayed s omeon omeone, e, God God s til till loves ov es you yo u and an d wants to redeem you. yo u. He He wants to give you back b ack your you r purpose. purpos e. The Bi Bible says sa ys , “Eve “Everry goo g ood d and an d perf p erfect ect gi g ift is from from abov ab ove, e, comi coming down do wn from from the th e Father of the heav h eaven enlly li lights gh ts,, who who does do es not no t chan ch ange ge like shif s hifting ting s hado ha dows” ws” (James James 1:17). This is a very v ery impor po rtant tan t statem s tatement ent about abo ut God. od . It It s ays that God gives gives gif gifts, ts , and that tha t when He gives gives a gift, gift, He He does do esn’t n’t change chan ge His His mind regarding egarding it. Whatever What ever God God has inves nv ested ted in you, yo u, He He want wantss to s ee used. us ed. He He is is a good go od God God who gives gives good go od gi g ifts to all peopl peo ple, e,
and He does n’t vary or change in this this expect expectati ation on.. Don’t on ’t ever beli believe ev e that th at you y ourr fail failures are greater than what wha t God gave gav e you y ou birth birth to do. do . God God is a resto res torer rer,, a reclai reclaim mer. This This means ean s He wil will put pu t back b ack in in you yo u what ha t the t he worl world took to ok out. ou t. He’l He’ll put pu t back b ack in in you y ou what life life took too k out. ou t. As k Him Him to resto res tore re Hi His purpo pu rposs e and an d vi v is ion with withiin you y ou.. Let me me urge you yo u not n ot to t o allow allow cir circums cums tances tan ces to des d estroy troy you y our r pas pa s s ion for li living. ving . Don Don’t ’t all allow li life to bl b low you yo u from from one on e si s ide of o f the lake lake to the other. o ther. The wind windss of adversi advers ity can c an be b e very s trong, tron g, but bu t you y ourr God God-gi -given ven vision will be your yo ur ancho anc horr in in life. life. Not Knowi Kno wing ng the th e Pri Princi nc iples for Fulf Fulfiilling Vis ion The thi th ird obs o bstacl taclee to accompli accompliss hing vi v is ion is not no t knowing knowing the th e pri p rinc nciiples for fulf fulfiilling it. Succes Succ esss ful vis vis ionari on aries es don’t do n’t pursu pu rsuee their th eir v is ions on s haph ha phaz azardly; ardly; inste ins tead ad,, they th ey ope o perate rate according according to estab es tabllis hed and tim time-tes e-tested ted princi principles ples that th at enable en able thei th eirr vis vis ions on s to becom be comee reali reality. ty . In In Part II of thi th is book, bo ok, I have hav e outli ou tline ned d “Twelve “Twelve Pri Princi nc iples for Fulfi Fulfilling Person Perso n al Vi Vis ion.” on .” In this this s ection, ection, I give give you yo u pos p osiitive tive ways to pursue p ursue your y our vis vis ion as you yo u acti ac tively vely put pu t the t he principl principles es into practice. practice. Let Yo u r Li Life Be Fuel Fue led b y Vis io n Life was was des igned gn ed to be ins inspir pired ed by pur pu rpos po s e and fueled ueled by by vis vis ion. on . Thi Thiss means that you yo u don d on’’t have h ave to t o live live a defensi defens ive lif life that is made up u p of o f cri cris is managem anag ement ent;; ins instead tead,, you can ca n pursu p ursuee an off o ffen enss ive life life that s teadi tead ily foll follows its vision and a nd initiate nitiatess its own goal go alss and action actionss . The foll following owing pages pag es will help help you y ou to
clari clarify your yo ur visi vis ion, on , form formulate ulate a pl p lan for accom acco mplis plis hing it, and an d bring bring it to a fulfi fulfillling and an d suc s ucces ces s ful com co mpletion. pletion . A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion What Wh at do you y ou thi th ink is your you r greates greatestt obs tacle tacle to purs pu rsuing uing and a nd com co mpleting yo y o ur vision? vision ? What Wh at steps s teps can you yo u take to begin begin over o vercom comiing that th at obs o bs tacl tac le? (For (For exam example, ple, have ha ve you y ou dis dis ting tingui uiss hed between your yo ur li life’s mi mis s ion and its vision? Will Will you yo u trus t rustt that th at you y ourr life is is under un der God God’s ’s purpo pu rposs es and an d tha t hatt you y ou are not no t a victim of “bad “b ad luck uc k”? Wi W ill you yo u sto s top p bl b lami aming othe ot hers rs for the way your yo ur li life has turned out o ut and s tart thank than king God that th at He wil will enable en able you yo u to t o complete complete His His vision for you yo u r li life?) Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. Three major major obs ob s tacles ta cles to t o fulfi fulfillling vi v is ion are a re (1) (1) not no t underst un derstand andiing the natu n aturre of vis vis ion, on , (2 (2) not no t recogni ecog nizzing the cos t of o f vis vis ion, on , and (3) not know no wing the th e principl principles es of vis vis ion. on . 2. The ess es s ential nature nat ure of vision vision is that th at it it is is s pecifi pecific. 3. Miss ion is is a general gene ral s tatem tat ement ent of o f purpos pu rposee whil whilee vision is a very v ery precis precis e stat s tatem ement ent with with a s peci pe cifi ficc emph emphas asiis and definab definablle boun bo undari daries es.. 4. The meas measure ure of the succes s ucces s of o f your yo ur vis vis ion is is
God’ od ’s ass as s ignm gn ment to you, yo u, not what other oth erss are are doing. 5. Dream Dreamiing is onl on ly the beginning be ginning of vision. Ins Ins tead tea d of wi wis hing hing things woul ou ld get g et better, b etter, we we mus mustt tak t akee concrete steps to change chang e our lives. ves . 6. Indeci Indec is ivenes ven esss is a vis vis ion-k on -kiiller and an d drains drains the th e joy joy out ou t of o f li life. 7. If you yo u set s et a des tination for your yo ur li life while hile you cont co ntiinue nu e to pray p ray about abo ut you y ourr vision, God God wil will gui gu ide you where here you need to go. go . 8. You were were not born b orn or created created to do ever ev eryth ythiing. ng . You were were mean meantt to meet certai c ertain n need n eedss , not every e very need. 9. When Wh en you have hav e several gif gifts and an d talents talents,, focus on one on e or o r two two of o f them and an d s tir them th em up. up . Don Don’t ’t all allow multiple ultiple gifts gifts to distr dist ract you yo u from from taking taking s peci pe cifi ficc s teps tep s tow to ward fulfi fulfillling your yo ur vision. 10. You are not defined defined by b y your yo ur pas t or conf con fined by by external factors. 11. God has h as a defi d efinite nite plan plan and an d purpos pu rpos e for for your you r life in s pite pite of o f what what your yo ur backgrou background nd is or what what mis takes you yo u have hav e made. made. 12. When Wh en God God gi g ives a gif gift to som s omeon eone, e, He does n’t change chan ge His mind about abo ut it. Whatev Wh atever er God God has
inves ted in in you, yo u, He He wants wants to see s ee used. us ed.
P art II Twel ve Pri Pr i ncip ci pl es for for Fulfi Fulfi l l i ng Person Per sona al Vision Introducti ntrodu ction on to Part Part II Jeremi Jeremiah 29: 29:11 tel te lls u s , “‘I know no w the plans I have hav e for you,’ yo u,’ declares declares the Lord, Lord, ‘plans plans to pr p rosper os per you and a nd not n ot to t o har h arm m you, yo u, plans to give you y ou hope ho pe and a nd a future.’ futu re.’”” God God has ha s plans plan s for us, us , and He wants thos tho s e plans to be fulf fulfilled. Yet Yet for this this to happen hap pen,, we mus mus t follow follow His His direction direction.. In In the t he first first chapt ch apter er of the book bo ok of Joshu Jos hua, a, God God estab es tabllis hed the th e key to fulfi fulfillling His plans. plans . This This is the backgr background ound to the pass p ass age: Moses Mos es had h ad died, died, and Joshua Joshu a was s et to t o tak t akee over o ver leaders leadershi hip p of o f the Israeli Israelites in or o rder to bring bring them th em into nt o the t he Promi Promis ed Lan Land. d. God God s aid to Jos Jo s hua, hu a, in in eff effect, “Moses “Mos es is now no w dead, dead , but bu t you yo u have ha ve a big vis vis ion; on ; it’s it’s your yo ur tim time now no w to fulfi fulfilll your yo ur purpos pu rpose. e. Let’s Let’s s ee what you’r yo u’ree goi go ing to t o do.” d o.” The Lord’ Lord’ss firs t advi adv ice to Jos hua hu a was was to be b e sure s ure to obey o bey His His Wor Wo rd: Be strong s trong and very cour cou rageous ageo us.. Be Be careful careful to obey ob ey all the law my ser s ervan vantt Mos Mo s es gave gav e you; yo u; do d o not no t tur tu rn from from it to the t he right gh t or to the t he left, left, that you y ou may be b e succes s ucces s ful wherever you go. go . Do Do not n ot let this t his Book of the Law Law depart dep art from from your yo ur mou mouth th;; meditate on it day da y and an d ni n ight, gh t, so that tha t you yo u may may be b e careful careful to do everythi everyth ing written in it. Then you yo u will be prosperous pros perous and s ucces s ful [“have “hav e good goo d succes s ucces s ” nkj nkjv].( v].(Joshu Jos huaa 1: 1:7–8)
In oth o ther er words words,, God God was s aying to t o Jos hua, hu a, “You “You will be s ucces s ful if if you learn and foll ollow My precepts and principl principles es.” .” God guar gu arant anteed eed him him s ucces s if he would would obey ob ey the t he comm commands and s that Mos es hims hims elf elf had had to obey o bey.. Note Note that t hat God didn didn’’t tell Joshu Jos huaa to literall terally imi imitate tat e Mos Mo s es’ es ’ li life, but bu t to t o follow follow Mos Mo s es’ es ’ princ princiip les, es , the th e ones on es Mos Mo s es had ha d us u s ed in his own o wn work. work. Likewis ewis e, you yo u can ca n nev n ever— er—no norr shou sh oulld you y ou ever— ev er—iimitate tat e s omeon omeonee els els e’s life. life. However, oweve r, you yo u can and s hould ho uld foll follow ow the estab es tabllis hed principl principles es of succes s ucces s ful vis vis ionari on aries es.. The “Twel “Twelve ve Pri Princi nc ip les for Fulf Fulfiilling Persona Perso nall Vis ion” on ” tha t hatt follow follow hav h avee been b een used us ed by b y peopl p eoplee of vis vis ion and are are des igned to pr p rotect, pres preser erve, ve, and guarante gu aranteee the th e fulfi fulfilllment en t of o f your you r dream dream.. If If you can captu cap ture re thes th esee pri p rinc nciiples, ples , you will move ov e beyo b eyond nd s urvival mode; od e; you y ou will be an a n ove o vercom rcomer er and s ee you y ourr v is ion com co me to pas pa s s . God has never nev er created created a fail failure. He He des d esiigned gn ed you, yo u, scul s culpte pted d you, yo u, and gave g ave you y ou bir birth to t o be a s ucces s . If you yo u have hav e fai failled, it it is is onl on ly becaus b ecaus e you y ou are are a s ucces s who went off track. track. Rem Remem ember ber that you y ou don’ don ’t have hav e to s tay on o n the t he s ideli delines. nes . Redem Redempti ption on restores es tores to you y ou the abi a billity to t o accom acco mpli plis h you y ourr vision vision.. Anyone Any one can be s uccess ucces s ful. ul. I have s een personal perso nallly how h ow God God enabl enab les people peo ple to transf trans form ideas into a reali reality that can be be s een in the t he phy p hyss ical worl world. The problem p roblem is that th at few people peo ple are are foll ollowing owing the principl principles es that lead to s ucces s . Ei Either they th ey don’t do n’t know no w the princi principles, ples, or they have hav e never nev er prov proven en them t hem by putt pu ttiing them th em into nt o practice. p ractice. Thes e peop pe oplle don’t do n’t allow allow the th e princ princiip les of visi vis ion to work in the t heiir lives ve s and, an d, cons co ns eque eq uent ntlly, they th ey don’t do n’t ex e xperien perience ce the th e fulfi fulfillment of thei th eirr vis vis ions on s . A s uccess ucces s ful person is s omeone omeone who under und erss tands , submi submits to,
and adher adh eres es to the principl principles es that tha t wil will carry carry hi h im to s ucces s . The “Twelve Principles for Fulfilling Personal Vision” will help you yo u find find you y ourr target and s tay on o n cour cou rs e. These Thes e principl principles es are are neither neithe r person pers onal al nor no r priva private. te. They may be b e clearl clearly y di d is cerned from from the th e Scri Scriptures pt ures and an d the t he live livess of accom acco mplis plis hed he d vi v is ionari on aries es,, and they the y are his his torical toricallly pr p roven. ov en. Jesus Jesu s Hims elf elf had to use us e each one on e of thes e principl principles es to be s ucces s ful in in His His work of redempt redemptiion. on . You You canno can nott avo a voiid the t hem m or ign ignore ore them th em.. If If you don’t do n’t go throug th rough h them th em,, you yo u wil will have ha ve little little chance chan ce of achieving your yo ur li life’s fe’s vision. If you yo u ar a re careful to put pu t them t hem into nt o practi p ractice, ce, how ho wever, you yo u wi will have hav e good goo d succes s ucces s .
Chapter Four
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #1: Be Dire Di recte cted d by a Clear Cl ear Vi Vi sion si on To fulfi fulfill your yo ur vision, vision , you mus t have h ave a clear gui gu iding purpo p urposs e for your yo ur li life.
The first first pri p rincipl nciplee of vis vis ion is that th at you y ou mus t have ha ve a clear gui gu iding purpos pu rposee for your yo ur li life. Every eff e ffective ective leader or group grou p o peop pe oplle in in hi h is tory to ry has ha s h ad one o ne thing t hing in com co mmon: on : They The y were directed by a clear vision. Remember that Moses, Joshua, David, and Nehemi ehemiah each ea ch had h ad vi v is ions on s that drove them t hem and motivated thei the ir action actionss . The fi firs t thi t hing ng God gave gav e to Abr Ab raham was a spe s peci cifi ficc vi v is ion. on . He He sho s how wed him the th e Prom Promiis ed Land and said, “That’s your vision. You’re going to take your offspring there.” I cannot cann ot s tress enoug eno ugh h the th e need for a guiding guiding vis vis ion in li life becau be causs e it it is is perhap pe rhapss the th e si s ingl ng le mos mos t im imp ortant orta nt key to ful fu lfil filling your yo ur dream. dream. You You person pers onal allly, as an individu individual al,, mus mus t hav h avee your yo ur own guidi g uiding ng life vis vis ion. on . This This vi v is ion mus t be b e abs ab s olutely clear clear to you yo u becaus b ecaus e, other oth erw wis e, you will have hav e noth n othiing to aim aim at, and you yo u wil will achi ach ieve ev e noth no thiing. ng . As I wr wrote earl earlier, er, when when you yo u know and und u nder erss tand tan d what you y ou were ere bor bo rn to accompli accompliss h, that is pur pu rpos po s e. When you y ou can c an see s ee it it in you y ourr mi mind by faith faith and begi beg in to t o imagine imagine it, that th at is vision. You cannot cann ot cont co ntrribute bu te to God’ od ’s greater pur pu rpos po s e if if you yo u don d on’’t know your personal vis vis ion. If If you have h ave no s ense ens e of focus focus , you will just drift along. I like what Jesus said in Luke 2:49: “I must
be abo a bout ut my Father’s Fath er’s bus b us ines ne s s ” (kj (kjv). There were were man many y oth o ther er bus bu s ines ne s s es Jesus Jes us could co uld hav h avee been be en abo a bout ut,, but bu t He ide ident ntiified fied a s peci pec ific fic life life work work that th at was His own and an d that th at mot motiivated va ted everythi everyth ing He di d id. Wheth Wh ether er you yo u are youn yo ung, g, mi middl dd le-aged, e-aged , or older, older, if you yo u don d on’t ’t have a clear clear purpose, purpos e, you are going going to be distracted by ever ev ery y other ot her bus bu s ines s in the th e worl world, d, becaus bec aus e the th e worl world d is an ex e xtremel tremely y bus bu s y pl p lace. ace . You mus t realiz realize that th at when whe n you y ou s et you y ourr mind on what you yo u want to do, do , all all the other oth er bus ines s of the world orld wil will try to get in the t he way of it. it. Having Having a clear gui gu iding purpo p urposs e wil will enable enable you to s tay on o n track when you y ou are tempted tempted to be be dis dis tracted tracted by b y les lesss er or nones non esss ential ential things things . The What W hat and the Why W hy of Ex Exis tence One of o f my und u nder ergraduat graduatee degr deg rees is in educat ed ucatiion, on , and I had to take a course cou rse in biolog biology y for a full full year yea r as part of o f my my deg d egree ree requi equ irement ementss . I real reallly enjoy enjoyed ed that tha t course co urse becaus becau s e it was was extrem extremel ely y detail de tailed ed.. We s tudied tu died the t he neurological ne urological and circul circulato atory ry s ystem ys temss of the human human body bo dy,, the bon b onee structure, s tructure, the br b rain ain cell cells , and all all the intricaci ntricacies es of how the body bo dy works orks . At the t he end en d of o f the clas classs , I received received an A . I was was very proud prou d of mys mys elf. elf. Yet whil while I was look oo king at my my gr g rade, boas bo asti ting ng to mys elf elf about what a good go od ob I had don d onee and how ho w much I had learned about abo ut the t he hum h uman an body bo dy,, a ques qu estion tion burs b urstt int into o my my mi mind: nd : “Now that tha t you y ou know no w what the hum hu man bod b ody y is, do you yo u know why why it is is ”? Edu Educati cation on can give us know no wledge, edg e, but bu t it it can’t alw always give give us reason eas onss . I dis dis cover cov ered ed then t hen that the key to t o lif life is is not no t onl o nly y knowing knowing
what ha t you y ou are, but bu t also why you yo u are. It It is more more im important po rtant to know no w why you yo u were were bor bo rn than th an to t o know the fact that y ou were born. bo rn. If If you yo u don d on’t ’t kn kn ow your yo ur reas reas on for exi exis tenc te nce, e, you yo u wil will begin be gin to expe experi rim ment en t with with your yo ur li life, and an d tha t hatt is dan d ange gerou rouss . You mus t capt ca pture ure a mean meaniing for your you r li life, a clear vis vis ion for your yo ur exi exis tence. ten ce. You You s hould ho uld kno know w who you y ou are—that is , your you r origin origin and pur pu rpos po s e in in God God—as —as well ell as your yo ur abil abilities ties and plans for the future. Let me me ask as k you yo u s ome ome diff difficult but neces s ary ary ques q ues tion tionss : Have you y ou changed chan ged jobs ob s s everal tim times in the t he last few years years ? Do you yo u keep changing chan ging your yo ur maj major or in in col co llege? Do you y ou do one on e thi th ing for a tim time and then t hen go on o n to s omething omething els els e becaus becau s e you yo u are bored bo red or o r diss dis s ati at is fied fied?? If s o, you yo u lack visi vis io n. You You were were not no t created created to be b e bor bo red and an d di d is s atis atis fied. For For the las lastt thi th irty years, y ears, I have hav e been be en prayi p raying ng that th at God God woul ou ld gi g ive me me an ex e xtra day in the t he week s o I can do more work towar to ward d my my vi v is ion. on . I can’t can ’t wait wait to to get up u p in in the th e morni morning ng,, and I don’t do n’t li like to s ee the s un go down. d own. Why? Why ? I want want to s queeze queeze everything everything I can can out o ut of o f each each day d ay becau be causs e I hav ha v e a visi vis ion that th at keeps keep s me pas pa s s ionat on ate. e. Prov Proverbs erbs 6:10–11 10–11 says sa ys , “A littl tt le s leep, eep , a litt littlle s lumbe umber, r, a li littl tt le folding of the hands han ds to rest—and es t—and poverty po verty wil will come come on you yo u lik like a band b andiit and scarcity like an armed man.” Lazy people are visionless peop pe oplle. Bored Bored peop pe oplle are thos th os e who hav h aven en’t ’t yet found fou nd their th eir purpo pu rposs e. You mus t choos cho osee where where you want to go g o in li life and then the n be be deci dec is ive and a nd faith faithful ful in carr ca rrying ying it out. ou t. Don Don’t ’t put off the th e deci dec is ion or be afr a frai aid d of o f it. it. Moreove Mo reover, r, when you y ou’r ’ree deci de ciding, ding, make ake sure s ure not to s ell ell yourself yo urself s hor ho rt. Sho Shooting oting for the clou clouds ds is
too low. Ins tead, mak makee the clouds your yo ur cushi cus hion on in case cas e you yo u fall. Remem emember ber that a vision is is not no t the th e sam s amee thi th ing as a goal go al,, such su ch as bui bu ilding ding a hous ho use, e, buyi buy ing a spo s porrts car, or havi hav ing a mi million dol do llars ars in the th e bank ban k. Having Having a pur pu rpos po s e and vis vis ion has to do d o with with your yo ur li life exi exis tence. ten ce. It It enabl en ables es you yo u to t o ans an s wer the ques qu esti tion on,, “Why “W hy was I born?” Whi Wh ile you y ou can’ can ’t know kno w all all the th e rami ramification ficationss of your yo ur li life, which which God may reveal to you yo u in eterni ete rnity ty,, you yo u s houl hou ld have a good go od idea idea of the purpos purpos e He He has given given you yo u to accom acco mplis plis h on o n earth. ea rth. Without Witho ut it, all all you’r yo u’ree doi do ing is exi exis ting. A Job versus versu s a Vi Vis ion I wan wantt to t o ill illus trate for you yo u the t he differ differen ence ce between b etween s imply havi hav ing a job job and havi hav ing a clear clear guiding guiding pur pu rpos po s e by look oo king at the th e li life of o f Nehe Nehem miah. ah . Nehe Nehem miah had ha d a job as the th e cupb cu pbearer earer to A rtaxerx rtaxerxes es,, the th e king king of Persi Pers ia (Nehem (Nehe miah 1:11). 11). This s eems eems to have hav e been an im impor po rtant tan t pos po s ition tion that t hat may may have h ave included included both b oth s ervi erving ng wine to the king king and his his royal guests gues ts and tasti tas ting ng the king’s ng ’s wine wine to t o make make sure su re it it wasn’t was n’t poiso p oisoned ned.. Yet Yet bei b eing ng a cupbe cup bearer arer meant ean t much much more than th an thi th is . Nehe Nehem miah was in a top to p pos po s ition in the th e ki king’s ng ’s court co urt and an d was a highl high ly regarde reg arded, d, trus ted, te d, and influen nfluential tial adviso ad visorr to the th e ki king.* ng .* As presti prest igious as Nehemi ehemiah’s occupat occu patiion was, as , it it was s imply ply a job job for him becaus bec aus e his mind was occu o ccupied pied with with s ometh omethiing els els e. Nehem Nehemiiah was a des de s cendant cend ant of one of the large arge num nu mber of Jews Jews who had been carr carried into captivity captivity by the Babyl aby loni on ians . The Babyl Babyloni onians ans were ere s ubs equentl equent ly defeated defeated by the Pers ers ians, ans ,
and that th at is why Nehemi Nehemiah was s erving erving a Pers Pers ian king king.. At the th e time time of the th e Bab Babylonian ylonian captivi cap tivity ty,, the city of o f Jerus Jerus alem alem had undergon un dergonee ter t errrible ble des d estructi truction on.. Yet, Yet, when the Babyl aby loni on ians were ere defeated s eventy even ty years y ears later, later, fifty tho t hous us and Jews had h ad returned to Judea and had rebui ebu ilt the t he templ temple. e. Then, an effort effort to rebuild rebuild the t he wall walls of Jerus Jerus alem alem was thwar th warted ted by oppo op poss ition from from neigh neighbo borring peopl peo ples es who had convinced con vinced King King Artaxer Artaxerx xes to is s ue a decr dec ree to s top the work. work. In the th e fi firs t chapter chap ter of the boo b ook k of Nehem Nehe miah, ah , Neh Nehem emiiah heard he ard tha t hatt “th “ thee wall wall of Jerus alem is brok bro ken down d own,, and an d its gat g ates es have ha ve been b een burned bu rned with with fire” fire” (v. (v. 3). 3). Some Some bel b eliieve this destructi des truction on refers efers to the original original devas dev astation tation of Jerusal Jerus alem em,, whil whilee oth o thers ers thi th ink it it is a reference reference to thi th is parti pa rticu cullar oppos opp os ition to t o rebui rebu ilding the th e wall wall.‡ Either th er way way,, the th e news n ews fil filled Nehem Nehe miah with with grief. grief. When Wh en he heard that th at the t he wall all of Jerus Jerus alem alem was broken broken down d own and an d that t hat everythi everyth ing was in di d is arr array, he “s at down d own and wept. ept . For For som s omee days day s [he] mou mourrned and fasted as ted and an d pr p rayed before before the God God of heav he aven en”” (Neh (Nehem emiiah 1:4 1:4). Your ou r True True Work Wo rk Is What W hat You W ere Born Born to t o Do I li like to t o think t hink of Nehemi Nehemiah’s ah ’s cup c upbe bearer arer jo jo b as a s his prelim preliminary na ry occupation, or his his “pre“pre-occupation, occupation,”” becaus e he was born to fulfi fulfill ano an o ther, th er, mu mu ch mo re im imp o rtant rtan t rol ro le. Yo Yo u r true work is is what you yo u were were bor bo rn to do. do . You Yourr job is what you yo u do d o onl o nly y until u ntil you yo u are a re read ready y to t o fulfi fulfill your yo ur vision. vision . God God had ha d pl p laced in ehem eh emiiah’s heart hea rt a visi vis ion of rebuilding rebuilding the t he wall all: “I had not no t [yet] told anyon any onee what my my God God had put pu t in in my my hear h eartt to do for
Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2:12). Nehemi Nehemiah 2:1 2:1 reads , “In the th e mon month th of Ni Nis an in the th e twentieth twen tieth year ye ar of Ki King A rtaxerx rtaxerxes es,, whe when n wine wine was b rough rou ghtt for him, him, I too to o k the wine wine and an d gave g ave it to the th e ki king. ng . I had not no t been bee n s ad in in hi h is presen pres ence ce before.” b efore.” The impli implicat catiion here he re is is that th at Nehem Neh emiiah was doi do ing fine on o n hi h is job unti un till he heard h eard about abo ut the wall all. Then Then he had h ad the th e ide ideaa to rebuild rebuild it. He He went to t o God God in prayer p rayer about abo ut it, and God told him to go back and recons econ s truct it. This This was the com co mpel pe lling visi vis ion of Nehem Nehe miah’s ah ’s life. Hi His des de s ire to accom acc ompli pliss h his life’s fe’s work then began be gan to interf nt erfere ere with with his job. ob . He He was empl employ oyed ed by the king, ng , but his his yearning yearning to rebui ebu ild the wall all bega be gan n to t o wear on hi h im, and an d he h e becam be camee dep de p ress res s ed. ed . The kin kin g said s aid to hi h im, “Why does do es your yo ur face face loo look k s o s ad when you y ou are are not no t il ill? This This can be nothing n othing but s adness adnes s of heart” heart” (v. 2). When Wh en God God gives gives you yo u a vi v is ion and conf con firms it, nothi not hing ng can s top it. If If He He tells tells you yo u to bui bu ild, start, s tart, inv inves est, t, create, create, or manufactu an ufacture re som so methi eth ing, ng , then th en it wi will both bo ther er you yo u deep d eep insi ins ide; you yo u wil will becom be comee depress dep ress ed unt u ntiil you yo u do d o it. This is is a “sanct “s anctiified” depress d epress ion, on , however, however, the ki kind that tha t says s ays , “I won’ on ’t be s ati at is fied fied unt u ntiil I com co mplete my my vi v is ion.” on .” Is your yo ur true work—yo work—your ur purpos pu rpos e—maki e—making ng it unco u ncom mfortab fortablle for you to s tay in your yo ur pres present ent job? ob ? That was Nehemi ehemiah’s s ituati tua tion on.. He He was conti con tinu nual allly troubled until u ntil he was able able to t o take action action on his vi v is ion. on . Peop Peoplle who know what what they the y ar a re called called to do seem s eem to be pos po s s ess ed by thei th eirr vis vis ions . In a sens s ense, e, they are. They are are poss pos s ess es s ed by the th e things things God has given given them th em to accom acc omp p lis h. Nehem Neh emiiah s aw the th e wall wall com co mpleted plete d in hi h is mind’s nd ’s
eye bef b efore ore he started s tarted to work on it, and that t hat vis vis ion drove hi h is pas pa s s ion. on . What Wh at Do Do You You Want W ant?? When Wh en the t he king king s aw Nehemi ehemiah’s s adnes adn esss , he ask as ked hi h im one on e of the mos mostt s ignifi gnificant ques q uesti tions ons anyone anyo ne can ask as k a person: person : “Wha “W hatt is it you y ou want?” an t?” (Nehemi Nehemiah 2:4). W hat is equall eq ually y s igni gn ificant can t is tha t hatt Nehemi Nehemiah was abl ab le to ans wer it it s peci pe cifi ficall cally. y. He sai s aid, d, “Let “Let [the [th e king king]] send se nd me to t o the t he city city in Judah Ju dah where my my fathers are buri bu ried ed s o that th at I can rebuild rebuild it” (v. 5) 5). Neh Nehem emiiah knew his his clear clear guidi guiding ng vis vis ion, on , and his his plan plan was s o s pecifi pecific that th at he was abl ab le to t o gi g ive the th e king king a ti t ime fram framee for com co mpleting it. You You need to s eriou eriouss ly ask as k yourself yo urself the th e sam s amee ques qu esti tion on:: “What “Wh at is is it that I want?” ant? ” Do you y ou know no w what what you yo u really really want out ou t of o f li life? Some Some peop p eoplle us t want to indulge nd ulge in in s elf elf-serving activi a ctivities. ties. Others thi th ink li life begins be gins at reti ret iremen rement, t, and an d the t hey y mi mis s out ou t on o n practicall p ractically y the t heiir entire entire li lives . Som Somee peop p eoplle jus jus t want to t o ow o wn a hous ho use. e. Yet Yet once o nce they get thei t heirr house, hous e, then what? They want want to t o buy b uy a nicer nicer car. car. Fine. Fine. Then what? They want chil children. Yet Yet once o nce they have hav e children, children, then th en what? what ? There has ha s to be s ometh omethiing more to life than th an the th e things t hings we accum ac cumulate. ulate. In In Luke Luke 12 12:15, Jesus Jesu s s aid, aid, “A man’s lif life does do es not no t cons con s is t in in the th e abund abu ndance ance of o f his his pos po s s ess es s ions on s .” You Yourr true vi v is ion is not no t a hou h ouss e or car or even ev en chil children, since som s ometi etim mes we treat our ou r chil children as pos po s s ess es s ions on s . There is is s ometh omethiing more im important po rtant in lif life than th an the th e “troph “t rophiies” es ” we li like to gather gat her arou around nd our ou rs elves elves . In In order to find find your yo ur vis vis ion, on , you yo u mus mustt be in touch to uch with the t he val v alues ues and priori prioriti ties es of the
kingdo ng dom m of God God.. You Yourr vision s hould ho uld be s ometh omethiing that th at live livess on after after you’ you ’re gone, go ne, som s ometh ethiing that tha t has greater lasti as ting ng pow po wer than poss po ss ess ions. ons . Peopl People’ e’ss lives shoul sh ould d be changed by your vis vis ion. on . What Wh at do you yo u want? The King King of o f Kings ng s is ask as king you y ou this ques qu esti tion on today, tod ay, and you y ou mus mustt be abl ab le to gi g ive Him Him an answer. How do you y ou ans wer Hi His ques qu estion? tion? First First,, you as a s k Him to conf con firm what He has put pu t in in you y ourr heart heart for you to do. do . ehem eh emiiah’s first first respon resp onss e to the th e problem p roblem in Jerusal Jerus alem em was, “Let “Let me me go g o to t o God God in prayer. p rayer.”” He had a pas p asss ion for God and an d His ways ay s , and he cried cried out ou t to t o God God to give hi h im clear clear direct directiion about abo ut what he s houl ho uld d do. do . He had a bur bu rning ning pas p asss ion within within him him to address ad dress the pr p robl ob lems ems of his his peopl peo ple. e. Per Perhap hapss you yo u kno know w what thi th is burni bu rning ng is like. You You feel frus frus trated about abo ut certain certain thi th ings ng s you yo u s ee in in your y our neighb neighborhood orhood and an d your y our countr count ry. You You have a s trong trong desi des ire to s ee change, and you y ou have h ave prayed, “G “God, something’s wrong with our country, something’s wrong with our ou r neigh neighbo borrhood ho odss , som s ometh ethiing’ ng ’s wrong on g with our ou r marr marriiages .” ehem eh emiiah went to God, od , and God God heard he ard his prayer p rayer and ans wered wered it by confi con firm rmiing what he h e sho s hould uld do. do . You Yourr vision uniquel uniquely y belongs to you y ou as a person call called by God. As you pray, pray , it wil will beco be com me clear to you. yo u. Vis ion Is a Preferab Preferablle Future Fut ure Your ou r vis vis ion is a clear clear concepti concep tion on of som s omething ething that t hat is not no t yet reali reality, ty , but bu t which can exi exis t. It is is a stron s trong g imag imagee of of a preferable fut future. ure. This mean meanss that th at the t he pres p resen entt is is not no t enou en ough gh;; s omething omething else is needed n eeded.. You You s houl ho uld d never n ever settle s ettle for for what what
you yo u cur cu rrentl ent ly have. h ave. In fact, a true true vis vis ionar on ary y irritates thos tho s e who want an t thi th ings ng s to remai remain n as they th ey al a lways ay s have. ha ve. Vi Vis ion is always always pus pu s hing the th e enve en vellope. op e. It It dem d eman ands ds chan ch ange ge by b y its very ve ry natu na ture. re. This This is a ver v ery y impo imporrtant tan t poi p oint. nt. Becaus Becaus e of o f the fact that th at vision is often o ften clari clarified fied throu t hrough gh the th e des ire to solve s olve a probl prob lem, em, as in Nehemi Nehemiah’s ah ’s cas ca s e, many many peop pe oplle don d on’t ’t reali realizze that th at vi v is ion is active active even ev en when ti t imes are good and things are in in a pos p os itive tive s tate. Why W hy will God activat activatee a vi v is ion when things are going well? To stir up your life so that you will move forward and progres pro gres s rather rath er than tha n beco b ecom ming com co mplacent. placen t. When Wh en eve e veryth rythiing is going along along as it alw always has been, and you yo u are getting getting us u s ed to your yo ur si s ituati tuat ion, on , you may forget abou ab outt you y ourr vis vis ion. on . God God may then us e a vis vis ion to t o shake s hake you out o ut of o f your yo ur ind indiifference. erence. A vision wil will alw always ay s take you yo u from from good go od to better bet ter and from from better bet ter to best. Vis ion is alw always ay s futur futu re-focu e-focuss ed. Sometim Sometimes es,, people peo ple say s ay,, “Let’s “Let’s go back ba ck to the th e good go od old days day s .” Yet Yet if we do that, th at, we we wil will not no t progress progres s in what God God has h as planned for us. us . We need to t o bui bu ild on the t he pas t, but we cannot return return to it. I confess that the th e temptati temptation on to focus on the th e “good old old days day s ” has been one on e of my my chal ch alllenges eng es in lif life. Vi Vis ion does do es not no t mean regaining regaining what you yo u had; h ad; it mean meanss movi ov ing forw forward to gai ga in what you y ou have h ave never n ever had. Vi Vis ion does d oesn’t n’t try try to recapture ecapt ure the good goo d old days; days ; rather rather,, it it desi des ires to create create days that have h ave not yet exi exis ted. If If you’r yo u’ree goi go ing to t o pur pu rs ue vi v is ion, on , you yo u have h ave to be careful careful how ho w you use us e traditi tradition on and memori emories es of good goo d thi t hing ngss . Somet Sometiimes, es , mem memori ories es can preven prev entt yo y o u from from s eeing miracles racles
becau be causs e they th ey keep you yo u stu s tuck ck in the t he pas p ast. t. God God wants want s to do great works works in our o ur li lives ve s , and we have hav e to be caref c areful ul not to mis s thes e oppo op porrtuni tun ities ties by a fals fals e view of what what has come come before. When Wh en you y ou ar a re very clos clos e to a vi v is ionary, on ary, or very very clos closee to a vis vis ion, you’ you ’re cons tantly tantly goi g oing ng to be driven driven to change. ch ange. To go to a new n ew place, place, you have hav e to go g o to t o a new n ew locati ocat ion. on . You You als als o have hav e to t o think in in a new n ew way. way. That s ometi ometim mes caus es dis dis comf comfort. Vis ion can cons co ns tantl tant ly keep you uns un s ettled, but bu t it it als als o keeps keeps you yo u fluid fluid and mobi ob ile, ready ready to take take the th e nex n extt s tep toward toward you y our r vis vis ion. This This truth truth is ess ential ential to under und erss tand becaus e, when when you yo u keep compan company y with with God, od , you have hav e to keep mov moviing. ng . When the Is raeli aelites were ere traveli traveling in the des ert, ert, they woul ou ld put pu t down d own their s takes takes and s et up thei the ir tents tent s , but bu t soo s oon n the th e pil pillar of clou cloud d woul ou ld mov movee agai ag ain, n, and an d the t hey y woul wou ld need n eed to foll follow it. it. God God keeps eep s us going so s o we don’t become become stagnan s tagnant. t. A clear clear vis vis ion gives gives us a pas s ion that th at keeps us continuall con tinually y mov moviing forwar forward d in li life. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion Have you yo u truly truly ans wered ered the th e Ki King’ ng ’s ques q ues tion tion,, “What “Wh at is it that th at you y ou want in lif life?” Wr W rite down d own your yo ur answ ans wer. er. What Wh at thi t hing ngss in your yo ur li life are dis dis tracting tracting you yo u from from the real “bus “bu s ines s ” of o f your li life? Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. You mus mustt have hav e a clear clear gui gu iding ding purpos p urpos e for for your
life. 2. The key key to life life is not n ot only o nly kno knowi wing ng what you y ou are, but bu t also als o why you yo u are. 3. Your ou r true work is what ha t you yo u were were born bo rn to do. d o. You Your r job job is what you y ou are doi do in g just jus t unt u ntiil you yo u are ready to fulfi fulfill your yo ur vi v is ion. on . 4. W hen God God gi g ives you yo u a vis vis ion, on , it wi will both bo ther er you yo u unti un till you yo u do d o it. it. 5. One of the mos mostt si s igni gn ificant ques q uesti tion onss we mus mustt each ans an s wer for ourselves is “What “Wh at is is it you yo u want? wan t?”” (Nehem (Neh emiiah 2:4) 2:4).. 6. Your ou r vision vision s houl ho uld d be som s ometh ethiing that th at li lives on after after you’ you ’re gone. go ne. 7. Your ou r vision is is a clear clear conce co ncept ptiion of o f s ometh omethiing that th at is not n ot yet reali reality, ty , but which which can c an ex e xis t. It It is a s trong tron g image image of a pref p referabl erablee future. futu re. 8. A vis vis ion demand demandss change chan ge by its its ver v ery y nature. 9. A vision is is acti act ive even when times times ar a re good goo d and things are are in in a pos po s itive tive state. s tate. 10. Vis ion does do esn’t n’t try to recapture the good go od old days day s ; rather, it desir d esires es to create create days that have not n ot yet y et existed. 11. When Wh en you yo u keep keep compan company y wi with God God,, you yo u have hav e to
keep movi ov ing. ng . 12. A clear clear vis vis ion gives us a pas s ion that th at keeps keeps us us cont co ntiinuall nu ally y movi ov ing forward forward in life.
Chapter Five
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #2: Know Your our Potenti P otentia al for Fu F ul fi l l i ng Vi Vi sion si on When Wh en you yo u di d is cover cov er your you r dream dream,, you will als als o di d is cover cov er your ability to fulfill it.
Second, you yo u wil will never nev er be succes s ucces s ful in in you y ourr vis vis ion unti un till you yo u truly truly und u nder erss tand your yo ur potential pot ential.. Recal Recalll that your yo ur potenti poten tial al is determ d etermiined by b y the th e ass as s ignm gn ment God God has h as given given you y ou to t o do. do . Whatever Whatev er you were ere born to do, d o, you are equipped equipped to do. d o. Moreover, res resou ourrces will becom beco me avai av aillable to you y ou as you yo u need them. What Wh at this t his mean meanss is that th at God God gives abi ab ility to fulfi fulfilll responsibility. Therefore, when you discover your dream, you wil will also disco dis cove verr your yo ur abi ab ility. ty . God God wil will neve ne verr call call you yo u to t o an an ass as s ignm gn ment witho without ut gi g iving ving you y ou the pr p rovi ov is ion for accompli accompliss hing it. If If you underst un derstand and this princi principle, ple, no one on e can s top to p you yo u from from fulfi fulfillling your yo ur vi v is ion. on . We mus t com co me into into an awarenes awarenesss of our poten po tenti tial al.. Poten Potenti tial al is hidden capacity, untapped untap ped pow po wer, er, unreleas unreleased ed ener en ergy gy.. It It is all you yo u coul co uld d be but b ut haven h aven’’t yet becom beco me. Pote Potential ntial is who you y ou reall really are, in accordan acc ordance ce with with you y ourr vision, even eve n if if you yo u don d on’t ’t yet know no w your yo ur true true s elf elf. Pote Potential ntial is the person perso n who has h as been trapped inside you becaus becau s e of fals als e ideas ideas of who who you y ou are— eithe eitherr your yo ur own own or o r others’. oth ers’. God has created created you yo u to t o do do s omething omething wonder wond erfful, ul, and He has given you y ou the abil ability and resource eso urcess you need n eed to do it.
The Power at Wo W o rk with withiin Us Ephes ph esiians 3:20 s ays , “Now “Now to him who is abl ab le to do immeas urabl urab ly [“ex [“e xceed cee d ing abun ab unda dant ntlly” kjv] kjv] more more tha t han n al a ll we ask as k or im imagine, accordi acco rding ng to his pow po wer that tha t is at work with withiin us. us .” Many of us have hear h eard d thi th is verse s o many many tim times that we thi th ink we we know it. it. Yet Yet I don’t don ’t bel be lieve ev e we reall really unders un derstan tand d what it is s aying: “Accordi “Acc ording ng to his his pow po wer [or [or potential pot ential]] that is at work”—w ork”—where? here? It does do esn’t n’t say s ay His His power po wer is at work in heav h eaven. en. It says s ays it is at work in us u s ! God God put pu t His His vision and a nd His Spiri Spiritt within us , and that th at is is more than enoug eno ugh h poten p otenti tial al for our needs. What Wh at are the th e im impli plication cationss of this tr t ruth? uth ? It means means that tha t what you yo u are able able to accom acco mplis plis h has ha s nothing no thing to do d o with with who you y our r parent pa rentss were. were. It It has h as noth no thiing to do with with your yo ur pas pa s t or o r with with phys ph ys ical fact factors ors s uch uc h as your yo ur race race or o r appe ap pearanc arance. e. Ins Ins tead te ad,, it has to do with with “the “th e power po wer”” work working with withiin you y ou.. Tha Thatt power p ower is the th e mi mighty gh ty pow po wer of God God’s ’s Spiri Spirit who lives ve s ins ide you, yo u, enabli ena bling ng you yo u to t o fulfi fulfilll the th e vision He has given you y ou.. God God’s ’s power po wer is actua act uallly worki working with withiin you y ou for the th e fulfi fulfilllment en t of o f your yo ur dream. This Script Scripture ure chang ch anged ed my my life life at a point p oint when I was wasn’t n’t mani an ifesti fest ing much of my my purpo p urposs e. I was broug b rought ht up u p with with the t he reli eligious idea that you yo u receive eceive onl o nly y what you yo u as k for. Cons on s equen eq uently, tly, I didn’t receive receive much much.. Then I came came to unders un derstan tand d tha t hatt God God never ne ver promi promis ed to t o gi g ive me me merel merely y what I ask as ked for. for. Ins Ins tead, tea d, He sai s aid d s ometh omethiing truly truly extraordinary: extraordinary: He will do “im “immeasurably” eas urably” or o r “exceed “exceediing abund abu ndant antlly” beyon bey ond d al a ll
that th at I can ask as k for, for, think about, abou t, or im imagine. In othe ot herr words words,, my my imagination agination is not no t bi b ig enoug eno ugh h for all all that He wants to do for me. Once I gras grasped ped this truth, it it began b egan to transf trans form my persp pe rspect ectiive. ve . It enabled ena bled me me to prog p rogres resss from from the th e kno knowl wled edge ge of o f my purpo p urposs e to the th e faith faith that th at acco a ccom mpani pan ies vision. For exam example, ple, in my my mi mind’s nd ’s eye, e ye, I have hav e alread already y been bee n in the t he bui bu ildings that th at will be buil b uiltt for Bah Baham amas as Faith Faith Ministri Minist ries es in acco ac cordan rdance ce with with the th e vision God has ha s given me. In In my imagi ag inati nat ion, on , I’ve I’ve gon g onee up u p in the elevator to the th e seven s eventh th floo floorr of the hotel ho tel.. I’ve been b een in in the th e boardroo bo ardroom m tal ta lking with with leaders ead ers from around arou nd the th e world world who are gather gath ered ed there. t here. I have vi v is ited the conven con venti tion on center cent er.. I beli believe God will bring bring this vis vis ion to pas s . And that tha t is onl o nly y what I can imagi ag ine. ne . God God has ha s even ev en more in His His own imag imagiination na tion for the completi completion on of this vi v is ion! on ! Take a Tour To ur of o f You Yourr Dream Dream We can’t begi beg in to t o imagi imagine ne all the things God wants ant s to do for us . Yet Yet God God gave gav e us the th e gift gift of o f imaginati aginat ion to keep us from from focusi ocus ing only only on o n our o ur presen presentt condi con diti tions ons . He He wants wants us to tak t akee a “tour “tou r” of our vis vis ions on s on a regular bas is . What Wh at do d o you y ou imagine doi do ing? ng ? Go Go on o n a tour tou r of your dream. dream. Vis it eve e veryth rythiing. ng . Che Check ck it it out o ut.. See See al a ll the th e det d etail ailss . Not Notiice its value. value. Then come come back to the pr p resent es ent and an d say, s ay, “Let’s “Let’s go g o ther th ere, e, God!” God tol to ld Jeremi Jeremiah, ah , “Before “Before I formed formed you yo u in the th e womb womb I kne knew w you, you , before before you were were born I set you yo u apart; I appoi appo inted you as a
proph pro phet et to t o the t he nat n atiions on s ” (Jerem (Jeremiiah 1:5) 1:5).. No No tice that th at God God us ed the pas t tens e. He He had alr already s et apart and appoi appo inted Jerem Jeremiiah as a proph p rophet. et. Yet Yet at first first,, Jerem Jeremiiah respon resp onde ded, d, “I do not no t know how ho w to s peak pea k” (v. 6). 6). God’s od ’s reaction was, as , in in effect, “Do “Do not n ot s ay that! th at! If If I bui bu ilt you y ou to be b e a prophet, proph et, don’ don ’t tell Me you yo u can’t ca n’t tal ta lk!” (See (See verses vers es 6–7.) –7.) Once nc e God God s howed ho wed Jeremi Jeremiah why he was born, bo rn, Jerem Jeremiiah discov disc overed ered wha whatt he cou c oulld do. d o. In In oth o ther er words words , whe when n Jeremi Jeremiah underst un derstoo ood d hi h is vis vis ion, on , he began b egan to reali ealize hi h is abil ability. At A t fir firs t he he didn’t thi th ink he could co uld spe s peak ak publ pub licly cly for God God.. Whate Wh atever ver God God calls calls for, for, how ho wever, ev er, He provides p rovides for. for. Whate Wh atever ver He req requir uires es,, He He enabl enab les us to do. do . In In this t his cas e, God God gave gav e Jerem Jeremiiah the abil ability to s peak for for Hi Him: “Then the Lord reached out ou t hi h is hand han d and an d touch to uched ed my my mou mouth th and s aid aid to t o me, me, ‘Now ‘Now I have hav e put pu t my my words in y o u r mo mo u th’” th ’” (Jeremi (Jeremiah 1:9) 1:9).. You mus t und u nderst erstand and that th at God God wil will never nev er call call you yo u to t o do do s omething omething that th at He has n’t alr already given given you yo u the th e abili ability to t o do d o or that He won’t give give you yo u the abili ability to do when the tim time com co mes. es . You s houldn’t ho uldn’t all allow any othe o therr hum hu man bei b eing ng to judge ud ge you y our r pote po tent ntiial. Others Othe rs may may not n ot be able a ble to s ee you y ourr purpo pu rposs e, and your yo ur abili abilities ties are are determ d etermiined by your yo ur pur pu rpos po s e. Agai Ag ain, n, whatever God is caus cau s ing you yo u to t o dream d ream is a revelation revelation of your yo ur abili ability. ty . Respo es pons ns ibili bility is reall really “resp “ respon ond-abil d-abiliity” ty ” or o r the abili ability to respo es pond nd to the t he requir requirement ementss of your you r vis vis ion. on . You A re Perfect Perfect for You Yourr Purp Purpos os e Everything abou ab outt you y ou is deter dete rmined by your yo ur purpos e. God God
bui bu ilt yo y o u, des de s igned gn ed you y ou,, and gav g avee you yo u the t he righ rightt makeup makeup for it. Your ou r heritag heritagee and an d ethnic eth nic mi mix, the color of your yo ur sk s kin, you y our r languag ang uage, e, your you r heigh height, t, and all all your yo ur other oth er phys ical featur eatu res are are made ad e for the t he fulfi fulfilllment en t of you y ourr visi vis ion. on . You You were were buil b uiltt for what you’r yo u’ree sup s uppo poss ed to do. d o. You You are perf perfect for your yo ur purpose. purpos e. This This means means that tha t your yo ur abil ability isn’t depend dep endent ent on o n what you percei pe rceive ve as a s your yo ur li limitation ta tionss . How many an y peo p eople ple have hav e mad madee s tatements tatements s uch as these: thes e: “I don’ don ’t have enough enou gh educati edu cation”; on”; “I’m “I’m too to o ugl ug ly”; y” ; “I’ “ I’m m too to o s hort”; ho rt”; “I’m part of a mi minori no rity ty group”? grou p”? They have a long lis t of reaso reasons ns why they t hey can’ can ’t do what they th ey are dreami dreaming. ng . Non Nonee of o f thos tho s e excu excuss es are valid. valid. Eve Everyth rythiing God gave gav e you yo u to do, do , you yo u are able able to do. d o. For For everyth everythiing God God put p ut in your you r heart heart to do, you yo u have h ave the th e corres correspon pondi ding ng abil ability to accomplish. Dreams eams are are gi g iven to draw out ou t what’s alr already insi ns ide us and to acti ac tivate vate God’ od ’s pow po wer in enabli en abling ng us to achieve our vis vis ions on s . This This is why God may gi g ive us u s dreams dreams that are are bigger than our ou r educati edu cation onss . For instanc ns tance, e, I s houldn’t ho uldn’t be able able to do d o what I am currently currently doi do ing, ng , based bas ed on o n my my back b ackgroun ground d and an d the th e expect expectati ation onss of the s ociety I grew up in. Li Likewis ewis e, you may not n ot have ha ve the t he backgrou ba ckground nd to do what you y ou are goi go ing to do. do . Peopl Peop le may may not n ot bel be lieve ev e you yo u can ca n do d o it, yet ye t what does do es it mat matte terr what th t h ey think? t hink? Just Jus t keep keep doing d oing what what God God tel t ellls you yo u to do. do . God never nev er gives gives us dreams dreams to frus frustrate trate us. us . He He gives us dreams dreams to deliver deliver us u s from from medi ed iocrity ocrity and to reveal ev eal our true s elves elves to the world. orld. The more more I s tudy tud y the t he Word W ord of God God,, the more I reali realize that th at God God appoints app oints , anoints , and an d di d is tingui tingu is hes he s
peop pe oplle. He He does do esn’t n’t lik like them th em to get ge t los los t in med mediiocri oc rity ty.. Therefore, Therefore, He He sai s aid, d, in in effect, “Abraham “Ab raham,, come come out. ou t. Mos Mo s es, es , come come out. ou t. Dav Daviid, com co me out o ut.. You You are los los t amon among g the t he averag a verage.” e.” Poten Pot ential tial Is Realiz ealized W h en You Say Yes Yes to Your ou r Dream Dream The abi ab ility to accom acco mplis plis h you y ourr vis vis ion is mani an ifested fest ed when you yo u say s ay yes y es to you y ourr dream and obey ob ey God God.. Nehem Nehemiiah’s job of cupbe cup bearer arer,, in in itsel its elf, f, did not n ot give hi h im the th e abi ab ility to rebuild rebuild the th e wall all of Jerus Jerus alem alem.. If If he had h ad looked only o nly at the t he resou res ources rces he h e had ha d at tha t hatt ti t ime, he neve ne verr wou woulld hav h avee fulfi fulfilled his visi vis ion. on . Yet Yet God God had placed hi h im in hi h is pos po s ition for a reas reason on,, and Nehem eh emiiah trusted trus ted God to pr p rovi ov ide what was needed n eeded.. You You don’t do n’t kno know w how ho w your yo ur present presen t job may may contain co ntain hidden potent po tentiial for your you r true true life’s fe’s work. work. It It may may make a way for fo r the reso res o urces you yo u wil will need ne ed to fulfi fulfilll your yo ur vis vis ion. on . Neh Nehem emiiah had h ad favor favo r as a trus ted s ervant of the th e mon monarch, arch, and God gave ga ve him even eve n more favor favo r wi with the th e king s o tha t hatt he h e could co uld fulf fulfiill his vi v is ion. on . God God reveals our o ur poten po tential tial as we act on o n our o ur dream dreamss . Note tha t hatt after afte r Nehemi Nehemiah had h ad s tepp te pped ed out o ut in faith faith and an d arti articulated culated his vi v is ion in ans an s wer to the t he king king’’s ques qu esti tion on,, “What is it you yo u want?” (Nehe (Nehem miah 2:4), his abili ability and an d resources reso urces came came into nt o pl p lace. The king gave ga ve Nehem eh emiiah letters ett ers granti grant ing him s afe pas pa s s age ag e to Jerusalem Jerus alem and an d gi g iving him acces acc esss to timbe timberr from from the th e king’s ng ’s fores forestt for the rebuilding rebuilding of the th e wall wall. The king bas ically cally pai pa id for the th e project. project . Moreove Moreo ver, r, the th e ki king appo ap poiinted nt ed Nehem Neh emiiah as as gover gov ernor nor in in the th e land land of o f Judah s o that th at he had h ad the th e author autho rity to carry out the reconstruction of the wall. (See Nehemiah 2:7–10; 5:14.)
To better under und erss tand this this truth, truth, let’ let’ss cons ider an analogy analogy from from natu na ture. re. In Cr Creati eat ion, on , God God gave ga ve trees the th e abi ab ility to reproduce eprodu ce them th emss elves elves through throug h thei t heirr s eed. By By doing d oing thi th is , He He was comm commandi and ing trees to t o com co me out ou t of o f seeds seed s . Fi Firs t He put the pote po tent ntiial for the th e trees in the t he s eeds eed s . Then The n He tol to ld hum h uman anki kind nd,, in in ess es s ence, “If “If you yo u plant the s eeds , putting pu tting them in the th e ri right gh t envi env ironmen ronment, t, they th ey will eventu even tual allly becom bec omee what I put in them th em— — thei th eirr poten po tential tial—f —full ully y grown trees t rees.” .” Our li lives are li like seed s eed.. We were born bo rn with with the th e pot p oten ential tial for the th e fulfi fulfilllment en t of o f our ou r destini des tinies es that th at hav h avee already already been b een estab es tabllis hed within within us. us . When Wh en God God gives gives a vis vis ion to t o som s omeon eone, e, He’s s imply calli calling forth forth what ha t He put pu t into that th at perso p erson. n. This is why you yo u can always always deter det erm mine what you yo u can do d o by b y the th e dream that is within you. you . Pl Plant the s eed of o f your yo ur vis vis ion by begi beg inni nn ing to act on o n it and then th en nurtu n urture re it it by b y faith faith.. You Yourr vision wil will devel dev elop op until un til it is full fully grown and an d bears b ears much uc h fruit fruit in the th e world. world. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion Take a “vi “v irtual rtua l tour” to ur” of o f your you r dream. dream. Im Imagi ag ine all the th e detail de tailss of the th e com co mpleted vision. Then The n let God God know no w that th at is where you yo u want to t o go. g o. As k Him Him to enable en able you yo u to take your yo ur ide ideaa from from dream to full fullfledged reality. How can can you yo u begi beg in to “pl “p lant the th e seed” s eed” of your vis vis ion today? to day? Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples
1. You wil will never nev er be succ s ucces esss ful in your yo ur vision until un til you trul truly y understan u nderstand d your y our potenti poten tial al.. 2. Your ou r poten po tential tial is determ d etermiined by b y the as s ignm gn ment God gave you to do. d o. Whatever Whatev er you were were bor bo rn to do, you are equipped equipped to do. do . 3. God gi g ives ve s abi ab ility to t o fulf fulfiill respo res pons ns ibili bility. ty . W hen he n you discover your dream, you will also discover your yo ur abi ab ility. ty . 4. Our power po wer or poten po tential tial is at work in us u s . God God put pu t His His vision and a nd His Spiri Spiritt with withiin us u s , and that th at is more than enou en ough gh pote p otential ntial for our needs. needs . 5. Go d wil will d o “imm “immeas ea s u rably” rab ly” or “ex “e xceed ce ediin g abund abu ndantly” antly” beyon bey ond d all that tha t we can ask as k for, think abou ab out, t, or o r im imagi ag ine. Our im imagi ag inati nat ions on s are not no t big enoug eno ugh h for all all that tha t He He wants wants to do d o for us . 6. God gave g ave us u s the t he gi g ift of im imagi ag inati nat ion to t o keep keep us us from focus ocu s ing only o nly on our o ur pres present ent cond co ndiition tionss . 7. W hatev hat ever er God cal c allls for, He provi prov ides for. for. Whatev Wh atever er He requ requiires, es , He enabl enab les us to do. d o. 8. Your ou r abi ab ility is is n’t depend depe nden entt on wha whatt you percei pe rceive ve as your yo ur li limitati tat ions on s . You You are perf pe rfect ect for your you r purpo pu rposs e. 9. Dream Dreamss are given given to t o us to draw d raw out ou t what what’s ’s already already ins ide us and to activat activatee God God’’s pow po wer in in enab e nablling
us to achieve achieve our vis vis ions . 10. God appoi appo ints , anoi ano ints , and dis dis ting tinguishe uishess peopl peo ple. e. He doesn’t like them to get lost in mediocrity. God gives us dreams dreams to del de liver ve r us from from mediocrity ediocrity and an d to reveal our true true s elves elves to the t he worl world. 11. 11. 11.The 11.The abili ability to t o accom acco mplis plis h your yo ur v is ion is manif anifested es ted when you y ou s ay yes y es to you y ourr dream and obey ob ey God God..
Ch apte ap terr Six Six
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #3: Devel Devel op a Concr Concret etee Pl P l an for Your Your Vi Vi sion si on To man man bel be long on g the th e plans plans of the heart. —Prov —Proverbs erbs 16: 16:1 Thir Third, to be s ucces s ful, you yo u mus mustt have h ave a clear clear plan. plan. There is is no futur utu re witho without ut plann planniing. ng . I’ I’ve know no wn peop p eoplle who tr t ried to t o be s ucces s ful over ov er and over ov er again again witho without ut a plan. plan. It It never nev er work workss . God Gives the th e Vi Vis ion, on , and W e Make M ake the th e Plan Planss When Wh en I was was a teenager teen ager and had h ad been b een a Chri Chris tian tian for onl on ly about abo ut two years, years , I kept wonderi on dering ng why God didn didn’’t s eem to be gui gu iding me in my my life. Perhap Perhapss you yo u are wonderi wond ering ng the th e s ame ame thi th ing abou ab outt you y ourr own life. life. I used us ed to t o want God God to s how ho w me His His will at night in my room, room, so s o I wou woulld s tay up all all nigh nightt with with one on e eye open o pen,, jus jus t waiting. waiting. I us ed to t o pray, p ray, “Oh, “Oh, Lord, Lord, let let the th e angel ang elss s how ho w up.” up .” Then Then I woul ou ld loo look k and there wou woulld be b e nothing no thing but bu t mos qui qu itoes to es.. Som Sometim etimes es,, I would hear hea r a li littl tt le noise n oise outs ou tsiide and I would open the t he door, do or, think thinkiing that t hat the th e angels angels had s hown up. Yet when I loo look ked outs ou tsiide, all I wou woulld s ee was a rat runni runn ing acros acros s the yard. Som Somee angel ang el!! I persisted persist ed in wanti want ing God to s how ho w Him Hims elf elf to me me and an d to to gui gu ide me. me. Whenev Wh enever er they s ang a certain certain son s ong g in in chur chu rch, I used us ed to s ing it the t he loude ou dess t: “Lead “Lead me, gui gu ide me, alon along g the t he way!” One One day, day , as I was was s ingi ng ing thi th is s ong, on g, I felt elt as if the Lord Lord was s aying to me, “Lead “Lead you yo u al a long on g what way?” I reali realizzed then th en that th at if you yo u don’t do n’t have hav e a plan, God does do esn’t n’t have hav e anything any thing s pecifi pecific to dir direct
you in. Prov Prover erbs bs 16:1 s ays, ays , “To man man bel b elon ong g the t he pl p lans of the hear h eart, t, but bu t from from the th e Lord Lord com c omes es the th e reply of the ton t ongu gue.” e.” That’s Tha t’s a very powerf p owerful ul state st atem ment. en t. God God is s ayi ay ing, ng , in in effect effect,, “I gave gav e you yo u the th e vision. Now you yo u put p ut the th e plan on o n pape p aper, r, and an d I wi will work work out ou t the th e detail de tailss .” Pr Proverbs ov erbs 16:9 s ays , “In “In hi h is heart he art a man man pl p lans an s his cour cou rs e, but the th e Lord Lord determi determines his his s teps tep s .” If If you yo u don’t do n’t have a plan, how ho w can He direct direct you y ou?? Have you y ou express express ed to God what is in your you r heart, and have hav e you yo u prese p resent nted ed Him Him with with your yo ur plan for accompli accompliss hing it? The Bible says sa ys that th at God God will give you yo u the t he des d esiires of o f your yo ur heart if you will delight in Him (Psalm 37:4). However, it also implies that th at God God wil will direct direct you y ourr s teps tep s once on ce you yo u mak makee a concrete con crete plan to move ov e tow to ward ard what you y ou des ire. Ideas are are seeds s eeds of desti des tiny ny pl p lanted ant ed by b y God God in the mi minds nd s of hum hu mankind ankind.. When Wh en ideas are are cul cu ltivated tivated,, they becom beco me imagination. Imagination, if it is watered and developed, beco be com mes a plan. Fina Finallly, if if a plan is followed followed,, it beco b ecom mes a reality. However, when a person receives an idea from God, it mus t be cul cu ltivat tivated ed soo s oon n or the idea idea of o ften goes g oes away. away. If If that perso pe rson n doe d oess n’t ever ev er wo wo rk on the th e ide idea, a, God God wil will give it to s omeon omeonee els els e. Inev Ineviitabl tab ly, if if the secon s econd d per p erss on takes the th e idea, idea, makes a pl p lan, and an d s tarts to work on it, the th e first first person pers on will beco be com me jealou jealouss becau be causs e he had h ad the t he idea ide a firs first! t! Yet Yet it’s not n ot jus t havi hav ing ideas that tha t is is impor po rtant. tant . Ideas Ideas need plans plans if they are goi go ing to becom bec omee reali reality. ty .
Young ou ng people peo ple often think t hink thei th eirr dream dreamss will jus t happ h appen en.. They find find out ou t later, later, after after they have hav e sadly s adly was wasted ted many years of their lives , that thi th is is not no t the th e case. cas e. There There is is no way any an y of o f us can mov movee tow to ward ard our o ur dreams dreams without tho ut a plan. plan. Jesus Jesu s s aid aid that th at a wis e person perso n does do esn’t n’t star st artt to bui b uilld som s ometh ethiing unless u nless he fir firs t works orks out ou t the th e detai det aills : Suppos Suppo s e one on e of you yo u wants to bui bu ild a tower. tower. Wil Will he not n ot firs t s it dow do wn and esti es tim mate the cos t to s ee if if he has enough enou gh money to compl complete ete it? For For if if he lays lays the found ou ndati ation on and is not no t abl ab le to finis finish h it, everyo ev eryone ne who s ees it wil will ridicu ridiculle hi h im, saying sa ying,, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.”(Luke 14:28– 30) God Hims elf elf had a pl p lan when He created c reated hum hu mani an ity. ty . Ephes ph esiians 1:11 s ays , “In “In hi h im we were were als als o chos ch os en, en , having been b een predes pred estined tined accord acc ordiing to the th e plan of o f him who works works out ou t everyth eve rythiing in confor con form mity with with the th e purpo p urposs e of o f his his wil will.” Someo Someone ne once o nce s aid aid to t o me, me, “You “You alw always ay s s eem to be going g oing somewhere. Just relax.” I told him, “I’ve discovered something about abo ut life. W here I li live in the th e Baha Baham mas, as , whe when n you y ou jus t si s it on on a boat bo at in the th e ocean oc ean and an d relax relax,, the current c urrent takes t akes you yo u wherever wherev er it’s it’s goi go ing, ng , even if you don’t do n’t want want to go there. Li Life is is the s ame ame way.” ay .” Too many an y peo p eople ple fl float down do wn thei th eirr li lives ve s and an d s till till expe expect ct to make it it to t o the t heiir goals. goals . A shi s hip p has a compas compasss s o that th at the navi nav igator can know know what what dir direction ection he is goi g oing ng in, and it has ha s a rudder so s o that th at the th e pil pilot can ca n s teer tee r it. However, However, a s hip is is given a s peci pec ific fic course—a cou rse—a pl p lan—by an —by
the captai capt ain, n, so s o that it can arr arrive at its des tination. tination. All three are necess neces s ary—the ary—the compas compasss , the rudd rudder er,, and the plan. plan. Jus Justt becau be causs e a ship s hip has h as a rudde rud derr does do esn’t n’t nece n ecess s aril arily mean mean it is is going going anywhere. anywhere. It It needs need s to be b e steer s teered ed according according to the t he coordi coo rdina nates tes of the th e pl p lan. Li Likewis ewis e, li life has given many an y peo p eople ple clear clear s ail ailing, ng , yet, becaus becau s e they have hav e no des d esti tinat natiion, on , they the y never nev er make it it out o ut of por po rt. Wha W hatt do d o I mean mean by clear clear sai s ailling? ng ? I mean mean oppo op porrtuni tun ities ties.. Many Man y oppo op porrtuni tun ities ties com co me to peopl peo ple, e, but bu t they have hav e no plan in in pl p lace tha t hatt would enable ena ble them to make ake s omething omething out o ut of them. them. For exam exampl ple, e, s uppo up poss e you wis h you yo u coul cou ld start s tart a busi bus ines s , but bu t you y ou’ve ’ve nev n ever er thoug tho ught ht abou ab outt how h ow you yo u ’d go abo a bout ut it. What Wh at if someon someonee came came to you yo u and an d s aid, aid, “I want want to inves nv estt som s omee money, on ey, and I li like you y ou.. Why don’t do n’t you yo u develop d evelop s ometh omethiing with it?” You would probably answer something like, “I’d like to, but bu t righ rightt no n o w I’m I’m jus t a clerk clerk....” ....” Howev However, er, if y ou had ha d devel dev elop oped ed a s peci pec ific fic plan, if if you yo u were were reading reading the th e appropri app ropriate ate books bo oks and an d prepa p repari ring ng yours yo urself elf,, if you yo u had h ad ev e v erything eryt hing down do wn on pape pa per, r, you’d yo u’d be b e prepared prep ared for thi th is o pportu pp ortunity nity.. You could co uld say s ay,, “You “You have ha ve the t he mon money? ey? Here’s ere’s the th e plan. I’m I’m ready to t o go!” g o!” The Blueprint of Your Vision When a contr cont ractor is is buildi building ng a str s tructure, ucture, he us es a bluepri bluep rint nt.. That Tha t is hi h is plan for his vi v is ion, on , which which is the t he finis finishe hed d bui bu ilding. ding . The con c ontract tractor or always always keeps eep s a copy co py of his bl b luepri ue print nt on s ite with with him him. Why? Why ? He needs need s to keep checking checking it to t o s ee if if the buil b uildi ding ng is being cons con s tructed corr c orrectl ectly. y. If If you yo u don d on’’t have hav e a plan for your yo ur li life, you yo u hav h avee noth no thiing to refer refer to when you yo u want wan t
to make ake sure s ure you are are on track. track. How How do you yo u begin b egin devel dev elop opiing a bluepri bluep rint nt for your yo ur visi vis ion? on ? W ho A m I? Agai Ag ain, n, you mus t fir firs t secure s ecure for for your you rs elf elf the ans wer to the ques qu estion tion “W “Who ho am I?” Until y ou do, do , it it wil will be diffi difficu cullt to t o write write a plan for your yo ur li life becau bec auss e suc s uch h a pl p lan is di d irectly tied to to knowi no wing ng who you y ou are. You You wil will never ne ver beco b ecom me reall really s ucces uc cesss ful in you y ourr li life if if you don’t do n’t have h ave a clear idea of your yo ur own identi ident ity in God God.. Many of o f us have hav e becom beco me what what othe o therr peopl peo plee want want us to be. be . W e have ha ve not n ot yet ye t di d is cove co vered red our o ur uni un iq ue, ue , irrep rrepllaceab ace ablle identi den tity ty.. Yet Yet it is is know no wing your yo ur true iden identi tity ty that gives gives you yo u the t he courage cou rage to t o write write your yo ur li life plan plan.. W here he re Am A m I Going Going?? Next, Next, you yo u mu mu s t ans an s wer the th e ques qu estion tion “W “ W here he re am I goi go in g?” g? ” Once you y ou learn God God’’s pur pu rpos po s e, you can s tart plann planniing effectively effectively becaus beca us e you yo u wil will be able a ble to pl p lan with with focus . A vis vis ion becom beco mes a plan when when it is captured, cap tured, fl fleshed es hed out, ou t, and writt ritten en down. do wn. Please note that t hat both b oth verses one and an d ni n ine of Pr Proverbs 16 s ay that th at God God leaves leaves the pl p lanning anning up u p to the hear h eartt of the person, person , but bu t that th at He wi will provide pro vide the t he ex e xplanation plana tion as a s to how ho w the th e visi vis ion will be accom acco mplis plis hed. he d. The pl p lan that’s th at’s in you y ourr heart is is a docum do cumenta entati tion on of o f a futu futurre that is not no t yet fini finiss hed. hed . When Wh en you yo u write rite down d own a pl p lan, it’s it’s a des d escri cript ptiion of the th e end en d of o f your you r li life, not no t the begi beg inni nn ing. ng . That is is why God s ays , “You “You make ake the th e pl p lan, and I wi will explai explain n how ho w it it can c an be pai pa id for, who who is goi go ing to work with with
it, and where the th e resources reso urces and an d facil facilities are goi go ing to com c omee from. om. Leave Leave that part to Me. You You jus t put p ut the plans plans dow do wn.” I’m I’m a s tickl tickler for planni plann ing. ng . Anyo An yone ne who works works with with me wil will tell you yo u that t hat.. I have hav e pl p lans an s for what I’m I’m goi go ing to do next next week, week, next month, next year, and five years from now. In fact, the vision for Baha Baham mas Faith Faith Minis Minis tries tries is on paper pap er for for the th e nex n extt s ixty or seve s event nty y years y ears.. It’s It’s all all mapped ap ped out. ou t. By By then t hen,, I’l I’lll be about abo ut 110 year yea rs old, wal walk king around, aroun d, loo look king at the t he buil b uildings dings , and s aying aying,, “Hey, “Hey, loo look k at that! th at! Loo Look k at all all the s tudents tud ents over ov er there. th ere. I remem remember ber when we had h ad one on e buil b uilding. ding. Now we we hav h avee ten t en bui bu ildings ding s . Glo ry to God God!” !” Do you y ou have h ave a plan? plan? Do you know what what you y ou want to do nex ne xt week, next next mon month th,, next next year, y ear, fi five y ears from from now? no w? Do Do you yo u have hav e a pl p lan for the next next tw t wenty years of your you r li life? Can Can you yo u give give me a plan for your life for the next fifty years? God has given you yo u the th e abili ability to t o do d o that. th at. He He has given you yo u a mi mind, nd , the gift gift of imagi ag ination, na tion, the th e anointing an ointing of o f the Holy Spir Spirit, and the th e visi vis ion of faith. aith. He He has als als o gi g iven you yo u the th e abili ability to t o wri write so s o that th at you y ou can put pu t down d own what wha t you y ou s ee in your yo ur heart. hea rt. W h at are you y ou waiting waiting for? God God s ays ay s He wil will explai explain n how ho w your yo ur vi v is ion wil will be accompli accompliss hed, hed , yet He He can’t discus discu s s it with with you y ou unti un till you yo u have h ave s omething omething concrete con crete to talk talk about. abo ut. Yo ur Dream Dream Is W orth W riting riting Down Note the t he way Nehem Neh emiiah pl p lanne an ned d for his his visi vis ion of reb rebuil uilding ding the th e wall of Jerus alem: alem: I went went to Jerus Jerusal alem em,, and after stay ing ther the re thr th ree days day s I set
out ou t duri d uring ng the night with with a few men. I had not n ot told anyon any onee what ha t my my God had put pu t in my my heart h eart to do for Jerus Jerusal alem em.. There were no mount ou ntss with me excep exceptt the t he one on e I was was riding riding on. on . By By night I went went out ou t throu t hrough gh the th e Val Vallley Gate Gate tow to ward the th e Jackal W ell ell and an d the t he Dung Dun g Gat Gate, e, exam examiining the th e wall walls of Jerus alem, alem, which which had been b een br b roken oken dow d own, n, and its gates g ates,, whi which ch had h ad been des troyed troy ed by b y fire. fire... ...I .I went en t up u p the t he valley valley by b y ni n ight, gh t, exam examiining the t he wall all. Finall Finally, y, I turned tu rned back bac k and reentered reente red throu t hrough gh the th e Val Vallley Gate. ate . The off o ffiicial cialss did not n ot know no w where where I had gone go ne or what I was doing, becaus e as yet y et I had s aid aid nothi no thing ng to t o the Jews Jews or the pries priests ts or nob no b les or official officialss or any othe ot hers rs who would be b e doi do ing t h e work wo rk.(Neh .(Nehem emiah iah 2:11 2:11– – 13, 13, 15– 15– 16) 16) Nehemi Nehemiah di d id not n ot tak ta ke acti act ion until un til h e had ha d mad madee a plan. He s electe elected d only o nly a few trusted trus ted men to t o go g o with with him whil while he h e was ass ess ing the th e si s ituation tuation because not no t everyone everyone could have handl han dled ed the t he pl p lan at that tha t poi po int. Certai Certain n peop p eoplle can’t handle han dle your plan while while you’re yo u’re maki makin n g it. That Tha t is is why you y ou can’t can ’t tell it to everyon eve ryone. e. Som Sometim etimes es,, you have hav e to wri write it in in pri p riva vate te and a nd keep it s ecret for a time. time. Some Some peop p eoplle wil will try to t o talk you yo u out o ut of your yo ur plan, say s ayiing, ng , “You “You can’t can ’t do tha t hat!” t!” If you yo u lis lis ten te n to t o the t hem m, in no no time, time, you will throw th row your yo ur plan plan away a way and end en d up u p an average av erage perso pe rson n , like they th ey are. a re. Peopl Peop le who are goi go ing nowhere no where li like to tak ta ke other oth erss with them t hem.. Thos e who who aren’t aren’t doing anything any thing want other oth er peop pe oplle to do it with with them th em.. Not everyb ev erybod ody y wil will unde un derst rstan and d what you’re yo u’re dreami dreaming, ng , but put pu t you y ourr dream drea m on pape pa perr anyway an yway.. W hy? hy ? Yo Yo ur dream is worth writing ting dow do wn. If If God God gave gav e it it to t o you y ou,, it it des d eser erves ves to be done. do ne. For exam example, ple, if you want to t o go g o to t o coll c olleg egee to pursu pu rsuee a certai ce rtain n career c areer,,
write rite down d own you y ourr plans for the th e nex ne xt ten te n years y ears.. Ent Entiitle one of o f the th e page pa gess in you y ourr plan, plan , “Thi “Th is is what I wan wantt to be ten t en years y ears from from now no w.” Whatever Whatev er you yo u want to es tablis tablis h or achieve, achieve, put it on pape pa perr and an d say s ay,, “By “By the t he year y ear ____ __ ____ ____ __,, thi th is is where I want to to be.” be .” Start wi with W hat You Have av e After Nehe Nehem miah had made ad e his plan, he was ready ead y to t o tal t alk k to other oth erss about abo ut it. He He talked talked to t o tho t hoss e who would would be b e directl directly y invol nv olved ved in carr carrying ying it out. o ut. “Then I said to [the Jews Jews , pri priests es ts,, nobles no bles,, offi official cialss , and othe ot herrs ], ‘You ‘You s ee the th e trouble trou ble we we are in: in: Jerus Jerusal alem em lies in ruins, and an d its gates gate s have hav e been b een bur bu rned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longe on gerr be in disg dis g race’” (Nehemi (Nehemiah 2:17). 17). Neh Nehem emiiah expres expres s ed to them th em his cl c lear vision. Here Here was was one on e man, man, with with jus t a han h andful dful of peopl peop le, who who was plann planniing to do a project project that t hat woul ou ld tak t akee thous tho usand andss of peopl peop le to accompl accompliis h. Yet Yet he h e sai s aid, d, “Let’s “Let’s do d o it. Let’s rebuild rebuild thi th is wall wall.” He He was s tarting tarting out ou t with a seem s eemiing impos po s s ibili bility, ty , but he s aid, aid, “Let’s “Let’s s tart.” Remem emembe berr the pr p rinciple nciple of poten po tential tial?? It’s It’s not no t what you yo u need n eed that is impor po rtant. tant . Starti Starting ng with what you yo u have hav e mak makes es your yo ur vision s ucces uc cesss ful becau bec auss e God God wil will take care of the th e rest. rest . I know no w you yo u have h ave s ome ome great ideas ideas . Start Start ri right gh t where where you yo u are and go go where you need to go g o by b y mak makiing a plan and beginni b eginning ng to imp imp lemen lementt it. A cknowl ckno wled edge ge Go d’s W ork in in Your ou r Li Life Second, Secon d, Nehe Nehem miah s aid, aid, “I als als o tol to ld them th em about abo ut the th e graciou graciouss
hand han d of o f my my God upon up on me and an d what the king had s aid aid to t o me” me” (Neh (Nehem emiiah 2:1 2:18). 8). I li like the th e fact fac t that th at Nehem Nehe miah tol to ld them th em that th at.. He gave gav e credit credit to God for the vi v is ion, on , and in the process proces s als als o buil b uiltt up the faith aith of thos tho s e who would would work on the project. project. The vis vis ion needed to t o be b e pass pas s ed along along to them th em.. They They would would need n eed to exerci exerciss e the t heiir own faith faith if they the y were were to t o ful fu lfil fill their th eir pers pe rson onal al vis vis ions on s within thi th is larger vision vision that God had given given to ehemi ehemiah. The s tatement tatement als als o s how ho ws that tha t Nehemi Nehemiah was s o s ure that th at hi h is vision was from from God and that th at the t he Lord Lord was with with him that th at he h e was able a ble to s ay, ay , in in effect, “God “God tol to ld me me to do thi th is .” ehemi ehemiah wasn’t gues s ing about abou t what he s houl hou ld do. d o. I hope hop e you yo u feel the s ame ame way about abo ut your yo ur dream. dream. Your Plan Is Material for Your Prayers Moreover, when when you yo u put p ut your yo ur plan plan on paper pap er,, you will find that th at you y ou have hav e plenty of materi material al for your yo ur prayers. prayers . You You can’t can ’t fulfi fulfilll y our ou r dream b y you y ourse rsellf. You mus t hav h avee God God’s ’s help. h elp. If If your yo ur prayer prayer tim time is is s hor ho rt, mayb maybee it’s it’s becaus b ecaus e you yo u have h ave noth n othiing s peci pec ific fic to pray p ray about abo ut.. If If you yo u dev d evel elop op a plan, however, you yo u wil will never nev er have hav e enou en ough gh time time for prayer. The There re wi will always always be s ometh omethiing for which to call call on your yo ur faith faith and an d to t o bel b eliieve ev e God God.. Yo u r Plan Plan W ill En En able ab le Yo Yo u to Fulfil Fulfill Yo Yo u r Destiny Des tiny In Deuteron eu teronom omy y 30:19, God God tol to ld the th e peop p eoplle, “I have hav e s et before be fore you yo u life life and deat de ath, h, bless bles s ings ng s and an d curse cu rsess . Now choo ch ooss e life.” fe.” In other oth er words words , He was say s ayiing, ng , “Sto “Stop p procras p rocrastinating tinating and an d hoping you will eventually get somewhere in life. Decide whether het her you’ you ’re goi go ing to get g et a cur cu rs e or a bles blesss ing. ng . Deci Decide de
wheth he ther er you’r yo u’ree goi go ing to di d ie or li live.” ve .” Jes Jesus us s aid aid in in Rev Revel elation ation 3:15–16, I kno know w your deeds deed s , that you y ou are are neither cold cold nor n or hot. hot . I wis h you yo u were were either either one on e or the th e other! ot her! So, becaus e you y ou are are lukew lukewar arm m —nei —ne ither th er hot nor no r col co ld—I am abou ab outt to s pit you yo u out o ut of my my mouth. Are you yo u goi g oing ng to make ake a pl p lan, or are are you yo u goi g oing ng to procras pro crastinat tinatee on you yo u r dream and an d dri d rift ft alon along, g, ending en ding up wherever he rever the lukewarm lukewarm tide takes you? yo u? You were were not n ot des igned gn ed to drift. drift. You You were were des d esiigned gn ed for destiny. des tiny. Mak Ma ke a plan and an d fulfi fulfilll it. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion Do you know the answers answers to the ques q uesti tions ons “Who am I?” and an d “Where “W here am I going going?” ?” Start Start the t he process proces s of devel dev elop opiing a bl b luepr uep rint for your you r vis vis ion by writing down down answ ans wers ers to thes e questi ques tions ons.. Start Start thi th inking nking abou ab outt where where you want to t o be one, o ne, five five,, ten, ten , twen twenty ty,, thirty thirty years yea rs from now no w. Jot down d own your you r ideas and conti co ntinue nue to think think and and pr p ray about abo ut them. Read chapter chap ter seven s eventeen teen,, “How “How to Write Write You Your r Pers Pers onal on al Vis ion Plan Plan,” ,” and begin be gin to write rite out o ut the th e s pecifi pecifics of your you r plan. plan. Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples
1. To be succes suc cesss ful, you yo u mus mustt have a clear clear plan. plan. 2. If you yo u don’t do n’t have a plan, plan, God God does do esn’t n’t have anything any thing s pecifi pecific to dir direct you y ou in. 3. “To man man belong the th e plans plans of the heart, h eart, but bu t fr from the Lord comes comes the reply eply of o f the tong to ngue” ue” (Pr (Prover ov erbs bs 16:1). God God leaves eav es the th e planni plann ing up to the th e heart he art of the th e perso p erson, n, but bu t He wi will provi prov ide the th e explanat explanatiion as to how ho w the th e vi v is ion wil will be acco a ccom mplis plis hed. hed . 4. “In “In his hear hea rt a man man plans hi h is cour cou rs e, but bu t the Lord Lord determ de termiines his s teps tep s ” (Proverbs (Proverbs 16:9). 5. W hen a perso p erson n receive receivess an a n ide ideaa from from God, od , it mus mus t be cultivat c ultivated ed s oon oo n or o r the th e ide ideaa often ofte n goe g oess away. away . 6. Many oppo op porrtuni tun ities ties come come to peopl peop le, but bu t they have hav e no plan plan in place place that th at would would enable en able them to make som so methi eth ing out ou t of o f them. them. 7. If you yo u don’t do n’t have hav e a plan for for your yo ur life, you yo u have hav e nothing no thing to refer efer to when when you yo u want to make ake sure s ure you yo u are on tr t rack. ack. 8. You mus mustt secure s ecure for for yoursel yours elff the ans an s wer to the th e ques qu estion tion “W “Who ho am I?” You You wil will never ne ver beco b ecom me reall really s ucces ucc esss ful in you y ourr life if if you yo u don d on’t ’t have hav e a clear clear idea idea of your yo ur own identity iden tity in God God.. 9. You mus mus t answer ans wer the th e ques tion, “W “Where here am I goi go ing?” ng ?” Once Once you y ou learn God God’’s pur pu rpos po s e, you can
s tart planni plann ing effectively effectively becaus beca us e you yo u wil will be able a ble to pl p lan with with focus focu s . 10. A vision becom beco mes a plan plan whe when n it it is is captu cap tured, red, fleshed es hed out, ou t, and written dow do wn. 11. You can’ can ’t tell tell your yo ur plan plan to everyone ev eryone becaus beca usee s ome ome peop p eoplle won’t be b e abl ab le to hand ha ndlle it it whil while you yo u ’re ’re makin akin g it. 12. 12. Yo u r d ream is worth writing writing d o wn. If If Go d gav g avee it it to you, yo u, it it deser des erves ves to be done. d one. 13. 13. Your ou r plan is mat materi erial al for you yo u r prayers pray ers.. 14. 14. Your ou r plan wil will enab en ablle you yo u to fulfi fulfilll your yo ur des tiny. tiny .
Chapter Seven
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #4: Possess Pos sess th t he Passion Passi on of Vi sion si on For the th e peo p eople ple work worked with with all all their heart. hea rt. —Neh —Nehem emiiah 4:6 4:6 The fourth principl principlee for fulfi fulfillling perso pe rsona nall vis vis ion is that th at you’l yo u’lll never nev er be succes s ucces s ful without tho ut pas s ion. on . Passi Pass ionate on ate peopl peo plee are are thos th os e who have h ave di d is cover cov ered ed s omething omething more more im impor po rtant than tha n life its itsel elff. Jes Jesus us tol to ld His His disci disc iples, ples , in in es s ence, enc e, “If “If you yo u are not no t willing to take take up u p death d eath and foll ollow Me, then you yo u can’t ca n’t be My disciples; you can’t go on with Me.” (See Luke 14:27.) He also s aid, aid, in in effect, effect, “If you s eek to s ave your yo ur li life, you yo u wil will los e it. Yet if you are wil willing to los e it for for My visi vis ion o f your you r li life, you will truly live.” (See Matthew 16:25.) Giving up false visions and ambiti ambition on for your you r genuine vision is the t he path to true li life. How Bad Badlly Do You You W ant an t Your ou r Vi Vis ion? on ? Are you hung hu ngrry for your yo ur vis vis ion? on ? How How badly badly do you yo u want what you’r yo u’ree goi go ing after? after? Pass ion is s tami tamina that t hat s ays , “I’ “I’m goi go ing to go after after this this , no matter matter what what happen hap penss . If If I have hav e to wait ait ten years, ye ars, I’m I’m goi go ing to get ge t it.” it.” Agai Ag ain, n, let let me me say s ay es e s peci pec iall ally to to youn yo ung g peop p eoplle that th at if if you want to go all all the way to your yo ur dream dream,, you yo u can’ can ’t si s it back bac k and expect expect everythi everyth ing to be eas y. You You must us t have pur pu rpos e that produces pass pas s ion. You You mus mustt have the th e atti att itude tu de of thos th os e who work worked on the th e wall wall with with Nehemi Nehemiah: ah : “So we reb rebuil uiltt the t he wall wall till till all o f it it reache reac hed d hal ha lf its its hei he ight, gh t, for the th e peop pe oplle worked worked with with all their th eir heart” he art” (Neh (Nehem emiiah 4:6 4:6).
Remember that, after Nehemiah saw in his heart a vision of the rebui ebu ilt wall wall, he returned to his his job, ob , but he was no longer on ger s atis atis fied with it. He He was depr dep ress es s ed unti un till he was worki orking on the vis vis ion. on . The depr dep ress es s ion came came from from his pas p asss ion for change. chan ge. I bel be lieve ev e that th at Nehem Neh emiiah was the th e ki kind of man man who couldn co uldn’t ’t hide what he felt. felt. He He was s ad becaus b ecaus e he didn didn’’t lik like the th e way the future futu re look oo ked for his his people. peo ple. When you have a vision, vision, you are sad about ab out where you are are becau be causs e you yo u want to be where whe re your yo ur true joy is. is . Peopl Peop le who are s atisfied atisfied with a less er exi exis tence, ten ce, however, ho wever, wi will never ne ver go g o where he re they need to be. b e. Not onl on ly sadnes s adnes s at your yo ur present condi cond itions tions , but bu t also als o ange an ger, r, can d rive rive yo y o u to t o a new n ew vis vis ion and an d take t ake you yo u to to new hori ho rizzons on s . You You wil will never ne ver be s ucces uc cesss ful until un til you yo u are angry an gry about not doing doing what you y ou know you s houl hou ld be b e doi do ing. If If you’r you’re happy about what you’r y ou’ree doing, you’ you ’re going to end en d up up s ettling ettling right gh t ther the re. Vis ion Is the th e Preced Preceden entt for Pass Pas s ion One of o f the reason reas onss I keep stress s tress ing your yo ur need for a clear clear gui gu iding ding pur pu rpos po s e in in lif life is is that vis vis ion is the precedent for pas pa s s ion. on . Th Th e majori majority ty of peop peo p le in in the t he earth e arth really really hav h avee no pas pa s s ion for li life becaus beca us e there th ere is is no visi vis ion in the t heiir hearts he arts.. In In 2 Corinthia orinthians ns,, we we fi find a uni un ique pass pas s age that th at shows s hows the t he pas p asss ion Paul had for his vi v is ion. on . Som Somee peop pe oplle had h ad chall c halleng enged ed Paul’s Paul’s right gh t to t o be b e an apos apo s tle. tle. They s aid aid Paul was was not no t reall really cal c allled by God and that t hat he was not worthy of the res respect pect he was getting. getting. They them t hemss elves elves were ere fals fals e apos apo s tles tles,, yet they th ey attacked at tacked Paul’ Paul’s credibil credibiliity and an d s piri piritual tu al qualifi qualificat catiions on s and an d drew people peo ple away
from the truth. Paul respo es pond nded ed by b y address ad dress ing the Corinth orinthiian bel be lievers ev ers who were were bei be ing led away a way from from faith faith in Jes us Ch ris ris t by by thes e fal falss e apos apo s tles tles.. He He wr wrote that, t hat, even if what he h e was was about abo ut to say s ay sou s ound nded ed ridicul ridiculou ouss and a nd foolis foolis h, he wou woulld say s ay it it anyw any way to prove he was an apos apo s tle tle so that they th ey would would return return to the true Gos pel pe l: Are [thes e oth o ther er men] men] Hebrews Hebrews ? So am I. Are they th ey Israeli Israelites ? So am I. Are they th ey Abraha A braham m’s des d escen cenda dant ntss ? So am I. A re they th ey s ervant erva ntss of Chri Chriss t? (I am out ou t of o f my my mi mind to tal ta lk like thi th is .) I am more. I have hav e worked worked much uc h harde h arder, r, b een in pri p riss on more frequ frequen ently, tly, been be en flog flogged ged more seve s everel rely, y, and been bee n expo exposs ed to t o deat d eath h agai ag ain n and an d agai ag ain. n. Five Five ti t imes I received received from from the Jews Jews the forty las lashes hes minus nu s one. on e. Three Three tim times I was was beaten beate n with rods od s , once on ce I was s toned to ned,, three tim times I was shipwr s hipwrecked, ecked, I s pent a night and a day in in the open op en sea, s ea, I have been cons con s tantly tantly on the th e mov move. e. I have ha ve been b een in dan d anger ger from from rivers rivers,, in in dang d anger er from from band ba ndiits , in dan d ange gerr from from my own o wn coun co untrym trymen en,, in dan d ang g er from from Gentil en tiles es;; in in dang d anger er in in the t he ci c ity, ty , in in dan d anger ger in in the t he cou c ount ntry, ry, in danger dan ger at s ea; and an d in danger dan ger fr from fals als e br b rother oth erss . I have hav e labo laborred and toil t oiled ed and have hav e often gone gon e wi without tho ut sl s leep; I have kno know wn hunger hun ger and thir thirs t and have of o ften gone g one withou withoutt food; I have been be en cold c old and an d naked. n aked. Bes Besiides de s everyt ev erything hing else, else , I face dail d aily y the t he press pres s ure of my my conc co ncern ern for all all the th e church ch urches es.( .(2 2 Corint orinthian hianss 11:22–28) Why Wh y di d id Paul give a li lis t of probl prob lems ems and an d tribu tribullations as part of the proof that he h e was was a genui gen uine ne apos ap ostl tle? e? He He was was s aying aying,, in in effect, effect, “If the th e visi vis ion and an d as s ignm gn ment I received received wasn’t as n’t real, real, do you think think I’ I’d go g o through all all thos e hardshi hardsh ips?” ps ?”
Paul paid paid a price price for the vis vis ion, on , but his his pass pas s ion enabl enab led hi h im to do d o it. it. You You are pas s ionate on ate and an d you yo u are real real if you yo u stay s tay s teady under un der press pres s ure. You You know no w your yo ur vision is from from God when you y ou are are sti s tilll at it once onc e the th e storm s torm clear clearss . It’s It’s eas e asy y to t o get g et exci excited ted about abo ut a vision, but bu t it’s it’s harder h arder to be faith faithful ful to it. Fai Faith thful fulnes nes s to vision is one on e of o f the marks arks of its its legi eg itimacy timacy.. Paul had amaz amaziing academ acad emiic credent cred entiials als . He He was envied en vied by by the bes b est. t. Thi Thiss gif gifted you y oung ng man had h ad gr g reat pow po wer in the th e reli religious com co mmuni un ity and could co uld have hav e been be en a prom p romiinent ne nt Pharis Pharis ee. He He als als o could co uld have hav e had ha d an easy eas y life. life. His His father was was a merchant erchan t and a nd a Rom Roman an citiz citizen en,, and Paul was was born bo rn wi with that th at citi citizzenshi ens hip. p. He He was was s o s et up to be b e succes s uccesss ful that he cou ld have hav e mad madee it it in in any an y categ ca tegory ory or o r profes professs ion. on . He He reall really could co uld have hav e been bee n a fir firs t-clas t-classs s ucces s s tory. However, However, Paul s aid, aid, “I’ “I’m goi go ing to jail ail, I’m I’m goi go ing to be whipped, whippe d, I’m I’m goi go ing to go throug th rough h a myri myriad ad of probl prob lems ems becaus bec aus e the th e vi v is ion God s how ho wed me is is more important than anything else in my life.” If s omeon omeonee who who had the respect res pect of o f everyone everyon e in in the th e comm communi un ity and coul cou ld have h ave had any job he wanted want ed was willing to go g o thr th rough oug h all all that, he had to have h ave vis vis ion. Can Can you yo u put p ut that th at lis t of o f tribu tribullation ationss after your yo ur name name and s ay you y ou have hav e gone go ne through throug h what Paul went throug t hrough h for the s ake ake of your you r vis vis ion? on ? Paul was driven driven and deter dete rmined to s erve erve Jesus Jesu s Chris hris t. He He had h ad previ prev ious ou s ly sou s ough ghtt to p ersecu ers ecute te the t he chu c hurch, rch, but bu t now n ow he was willing to go through throug h persecution perse cution him hims elf elf for for the th e s ake ake of o f Jes Jesus us.. Why? Wh y? He was was clear clear about abo ut hi h is vis vis ion. on . In Acts A cts 26, Pau Paull was on o n tri t rial al before King King Agri Ag ripp ppa. a. As he
told told the th e ki king about the purpos p urposee that Jesus Jes us Chris hris t had given given him him on the road to Damas amascus cus , he made made a s tatement tatement that is very impor po rtant tan t conc co ncerni erning ng people peo ple wi with vi v is ion: on : Then I asked, ‘Who are you, yo u, Lord?’ Lord?’ ‘I ‘I am Jesus Jes us , who whom m you yo u are are per p erss ecuti ecut ing,’ ng ,’ the Lord repli replied. ‘Now ‘Now get up and s tand on your you r feet. I have appear app eared ed to you y ou to t o appoi app oint nt you yo u as a ser s ervant vant and as a wi witnes s of what what you y ou have hav e seen s een of o f me and what I will s how ho w you. you . I will rescue resc ue you yo u from from your yo ur own peo p eople ple and from the th e Genti ent iles. es . I am s endi end ing you yo u to t o them t hem to open op en their t heir eyes and turn them th em from from dark da rkne ness s to light, gh t, and an d from the th e power p ower of Sata Satan n to to God, od , so that they the y may may receive receive forgiven forgivenes esss of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’(Acts 26:15–18) Paul s umm ummed up u p hi h is account accou nt by s aying, “So “So then t hen,, Ki King Agr Ag rippa, pp a, I was not no t disobed diso bediient to t o the th e vision vision from heaven” heav en” (v. 19). He s aid aid that th at God had given him a clear guiding guiding vision, which hich was to preach the th e Gos Gospel pel to the th e Gentil Gentiles es,, and that t hat he was not no t di d is obedient ob edient to it. He He reiterated reiterated thi t hiss vis vis ion to Tim Timothy: oth y: “For this pur pu rpos po s e I was appoi app ointed nted a herald herald and an apos apo s tle—I tle—I am telli telling the th e truth, trut h, I am not no t lying lying—and —and a teach te acher er of the true t rue faith to the Gentiles” (1 Timothy 2:7). Paul knew what what his purpo p urposs e in in life life was was,, and tha t hatt is is what kept him him goi go ing through throu gh all all his his s truggles. When Wh en you y ourr vis vis ion is from God, od , nothi noth ing can s top you. yo u. It It does d oes n’t matter matter if if people talk talk about abo ut you y ou.. You can even be shi s hipwr pwreck ecked, ed, beaten, beaten , and s tarved if you ar a re bent ben t on o n accom acco mpli plis hing hing your yo ur vis vis ion. on . Why did Paul Paul keep getti gett ing up every time time they th ey s toned ton ed hi h im? He knew knew he had h ad to go to the Gentiles entiles in obed o bediience to t o the t he vi v is ion and comm command
he had h ad received from God. od . Vi Vis ion is the th e sou s ource rce of pass pas s ion. on . Pass Pas s ion for Vis ion Overcomes Overcomes Resi es is tance tan ce If you’r you ’ree goi go ing to be what you yo u s ee in in you y ourr mind, nd , if if you’r yo u’ree goi go ing to go after wha what’s t’s in your yo ur heart, he art, beli believe me, there the re wi will be resi es is tance. tanc e. The onl on ly way to overcom o vercomee that resi es is tance tanc e is is to have pas p asss ion for your vis vis ion. When Wh en you y ou are are truly truly pass p ass ionate about your you r dream dream,, you can s tand s trong trong when troub troublle comes comes.. Pers Pers is tence ten ce wil will keep you yo u mov moviing forw forward, yet you yo u need n eed pas pa s s ion to feed you y ourr persis pe rsiste tenc nce. e. Passi Pass ion is a des d esiire that is s tronger than death. deat h. You You can’t s leep, eat, or s top unti un till you yo u sati s atiss fy it. it. If If you yo u can s top what you’ you ’re doi do ing and s til till be happy, h appy, then you’ you ’re not pass pas s ionate about abo ut it. If you yo u can be b e dis dis cour cou raged by s omeon omeonee tell telling you y ou no or the bank ref refus usiing you money, oney , then you don’ don ’t have hav e pass pas s ion. Pass ion meets meets every every problem problem.. It It says s ays things things s uch as these: thes e: “You “You may s ay ‘no,’ ‘no ,’ but bu t I know it it really really mean meanss ‘wait.’ ‘wait.’”” “Ev “Ev en thoug tho ugh h you y ou haven’t hav en’t come come around to my idea now no w, you will later.” ater.” “Even “Even thoug tho ugh h you yo u s top me now, n ow, I’ I’m eventuall even tually y goi go ing to ump this wall.” “If you kill me, I’ll rise and do it again.” A pas s ionate person gets up in in the morni morning ng and s ays, ays , “Goo “Good d morn morniing, ng , Lord Lord!! Here Here I am! am! Thank Than k you yo u for anot an othe herr day that th at wil will take me me one on e step s tep clos clos er to where I want an t to go.” go .” Passi Pass ion means means that, tha t, no matter matter how tough toug h thi th ings ng s are, what I bel be lieve ev e is is bigger bigg er than tha n what I s ee. It is is an urge u rge that th at is deep d eeper er than any resi es is tance tan ce it it mi might gh t encou en counter. nter. It It is is a goal go al to win that t hat is bigger bigg er than tha n the t he des d esiire to quit. q uit.
People eople stop s top too s oon. oon . They don’ don ’t wi win becaus e they gi g ive up when they fall all dow do wn the firs t ti t ime. Do Do you y ou s top at the t he least resistanc resist ance? e? Rem Remem embe ber, r, pas pa s s ion s ays ay s , “You “You might gh t as a s well well give up, up , becaus becau s e I’m I’m not no t going g oing to t o quit. q uit. If If you knock no ck me me down, do wn, I’m I’m goi go ing to get up. up . If If you yo u knock knoc k me down do wn again, I’m I’m goi go ing to get ge t up again. I’ I’m goi go ing to keep getting g etting up u p until u ntil you yo u get g et ti t ired of o f knocki no cking ng me down.” d own.” Get Get up and get on with it! There is n o life without passion. In Romans 1:14, Paul said, “‘I am obligated’ to do the th e work work God tol to ld me me to do.” do .” He He jus jus t had h ad to t o do d o it. It was God’s od ’s wil will for his his life, and an d he h e was “eager “eag er to preach p reach the t he gos g os pel” (v. 15). He couldn’t wait wait to do it. A perso p erson n of o f pas pa s s ion is alw always ay s eager eag er to fulfi fulfilll his visi vis ion. on . Pass Pas s ion Is Wi W illing to Pay the th e Pri Price Sometim Sometimes es,, others ot hers wil will come come and an d be a part p art of what you’r yo u’ree doing doing and an d then th en say s ay “This “This vis vis ion isn’t real real”” becaus e they don’ don ’t know no w what what the vis vis ion is cos ting ting you. yo u. Do Do you yo u remem remember ber John Mark, Mark, the you y oung ng man who joined oined Paul and Barnab arnabas as on a mis s ionary on ary jou journey? rney? John Mark was a very ve ry exci excited ted and an d zealou zealouss youn yo ung g man. man. He work worked ed with Paul and Barnabas arnab as until un til a certain poi po int when he decide d ecided d to t o leave the t hem m and an d return retu rn to Jerus Je rusalem alem.. Later, when John Mark wanted ant ed to t o accom acc ompan pany y them t hem on anothe ano ther r our ou rney, ney , Paul s aid aid no becaus becau s e he felt felt John Mark had deserted des erted them th em and the th e work. work. He He was s ayi ay ing, ng , in in ef e ffect, “John Mark, Mark, you’r yo u’ree tell telling us you yo u are wi with us in thi t hiss vision vision,, yet you yo u can’ can ’t handl han dlee the th e press pres s ure, the tough tou gh tim times, es , the rigo rigorrs of the work. work. I want an t peop p eoplle who wil will com co me with with me throug th rough h the th e fire fire and s ay, ay , ‘We d id it to t o g eth et h er.’” (See (See A cts ct s 12: 12:25– 25– 13: 13:13; 13; 15:36 15:36– – 40.) 40.)
Barnabas ended end ed up goi go ing with with John Joh n Mark on a s eparate ourney ou rney,, and Paul asked as ked Sil Silas to join hi h im. In In Phi Ph ilippi pp i, Pau Paull and an d Sil Silas were were beate b eaten n and a nd impris pris oned on ed when he n s ome ome men men inci nc ited a mob against them the m. Si Silas coul cou ld have h ave told the th e magistrates magistrates that he didn didn’’t kno know w Paul. Paul. Per Perhap hapss he could co uld have es caped ass as s ociation ociation as Peter did when when he s aid aid abou ab outt Jesus Jes us , “I don’t do n’t kno know w the man!” (Matthew 26:72, 74). Yet Silas was committed to the vision. If Paul went en t to t o jail jail, he would go to jail ail, too. too . I want an t you y ou to know no w that the pris pris on they were ere thr th rown into into wasn’t as n’t an ordinary ordinary lockup. ockup . Matthe Matt hew w Henry Henry des cribe cribed d thi th is “inn “inner er cell cell” (Acts (Act s 16:24) as a “dungeon, “dun geon, into into which hich none n one were ere us uall ually put p ut but b ut condemned malefactors, dark at noon-day, damp and cold, dirty dirty,, it it is likely, ely, and an d eve e very ry way way offen offenss ive.”* ve .”* Yet Yet thi th is was the th e place where Paul and Silas Silas s ang an g hym h ymns ns ! (See (See Act A ctss 16:16–25 16–25.) .) Pass ion is wil willing to pay pa y the t he pr p rice. Pass as s ion Keeps You Focus ed One other ot her cruci crucial al aspect as pect of o f pas s ion is that th at it it helps you y ou to to s tay focus ocu s ed on o n you y ourr vis vis ion. on . You You can s ee thi th is principl principlee at work work in churches ch urches.. Wherever there is is no vis vis ion, on , there is is often fighting, gossiping, murmuring, backbiting, and complaining. When Wh en churches ch urches are are full full of complai complaints nts , that is evi ev idence den ce that th at the th e vis vis ion has left eft them t hem.. Vi Vis ion preoccupi preoccup ies peopl peo plee to the poi po int that they th ey have no n o tim time to gos go s s ip or get angry at the pas tor or compl complai ain n abou ab outt hi h is preaching preaching.. The The s ame ame pheno ph enom menon eno n can be s een in marr arriages . One One of o f the reason reas onss why there are so s o many many problem pro blemss in marr marriiages ag es tod to d ay is tha t hatt coup co uplles have ha ve los t their th eir joint vis vis ion. on . We mus mustt redis redis cover cov er the pas s ion of work workiing together tog ether for for a comm common pur pu rpos po s e and vision vision..
Defy efy the Odds dd s If you becom b ecomee pass pas s ionate about your you r vis vis ion, you can defy the odds od ds and persever persev eree to the fulf ulfillment of your you r goals goals . Whenever When ever you are are tempted tempted to quit quit too s oon or to stay st ay dow do wn when life kno knocks cks you yo u ove o ver, r, remem remembe berr the exam examples ples of ehem eh emiiah and an d Paul. Captu ap ture re your yo ur vis vis ion and s tay with it, and you yo u wil will be rewarded rewarded with with s eeing that t hat vision becom be comee a reality reality,, no matter att er what what might gh t try t ry to come come agai ag ains ns t it. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion As k yours yo ursel elf, f, “How hungry hun gry am a m I for for my my vision? How badly do d o I want what I’m I’m goi go ing after?” What Wh at evidence evidence of a pass ion for vis vis ion do d o you yo u see s ee in your life? Do you yo u gene g enerrall ally gi g ive up u p the t he fir firs t ti t ime you yo u fall fall dow do wn? In what ways might gh t you y ou have hav e becom beco me complacent complacent about abo ut your yo ur vis vis ion? on ? What W hat will you yo u do do to regain regain you y ourr pas s ion for your you r dreams dreams ? Chap ha p ter te r Princ Princiiples 1. You cannot canno t be s uccess ucces s ful without thou t pass ion. 2. Passi Pass ionate on ate people peo ple have hav e discover discov ered ed s omething omething more impo importan rtantt than th an life its its elf. elf. 3. Vis ion is is the th e precedent preced ent for for pas pa s s ion. on . 4. A vision wil will alw always ay s be b e tested tes ted by b y tribu tribullation.
5. Faith Faithful fulne ness s to t o vision is is one o ne of the mark markss of o f its legitimacy. 6. Passi Pass ion means means that t hat no matter matter how ho w tough tou gh thi th ings ng s are, are, what what you y ou believe believe is bi b igger gg er than what yo u see. s ee. 7. A perso pe rson n of pas pa s s ion is always always eager ea ger to fulf fulfiill his vision. 8. Pass as s ion keeps keeps you yo u focus focus ed on your vis vis ion.
Chapt ha pter er Ei Eight gh t
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #5: Devel Develop op the the Fa F ai th of Vi sion si on Sigh Sightt is is a fun function ction of o f the th e eyes ey es,, whil whilee vision is a functi un ction on of the hear h eart. t.
The fif fifth principl principlee is is that you yo u mus t develop d evelop the th e faith faith of vision. Sigh Sightt is is a functi funct ion of the eyes ey es,, whil while vision is a function func tion of the heart. The greatest greates t gi g ift that th at God God gave gav e hum hu mankind ankind is not no t the th e gift gift of o f s ight, gh t, but the gif gift of o f vis vis ion. on . You You have hav e probabl proba bly y heard h eard of the great aut a utho horr and wonderf wond erful ul entrepreneu ent repreneurr Hel Helen en Kell Keller, who becam be camee blin blin d, deaf, de af, and an d mut mutee as a result res ult of an ill illnes ne s s when s he was onl on ly ei e ighteen gh teen month on thss old. She She was a powerf p owerful, ul, remark remarkable able woman oman who impacted pa cted her who wholle gene ge nerati ration on,, and s he s till till influen nfluences ces us today. tod ay. In In her h er old age, she sh e was was interview nterviewed ed by by a news anchor anch or about abo ut her li life. Par Partt of o f their their conver conv erss ation ation went s ometh omethiing like thi th is : Comm ommuni un icati cat ing his ques q ues tions to her throug th rough h Brai Braillle, he as ked, ed , “Mis “Mis s Kell eller, is there th ere anyth any thiing wors wors e than being bl b lind?” nd ?” She paus p aus ed for a mom moment ent and, and , in in her h er very very uni un ique qu e way of o f talk talking, ng , sai s aid, d, “What “W hat’’s worse than being bl b lind is havi hav ing s ight gh t wi without tho ut vi v is ion.” on .” What Wh at a perceptive wom woman! an! This This woman, oman, who who coul cou ld not n ot s ee phys ph ys ically, cally, had ha d mo mo re vis vis ion and an d acco ac com mplis plis hmen hments ts than th an the t he majori ajority ty of o f thos th os e in in her h er generation who had h ad s ight. gh t. Her Her books bo oks are stil s tilll read toda to day, y, and an d her h er poetry po etry is wonderf wond erful. ul. Helen Helen Kell eller didn didn’’t s pend pen d her h er years years being angry an gry and blam blamiing God for her
blind blindne ness s and an d deafne d eafness s . No, she sh e was able a ble to live live a ful fu ll life becau be causs e she s he had h ad vi v is ion in her h er heart. As the th e say s ayiing goes go es,, “Eye “Eyess that look oo k are are com co mmon, on , but eyes that s ee are rare. rare.”” Vis ion Sees Things as They Coul ou ld Be Be I am convinced con vinced that mos mostt peopl peo plee have s ight gh t but bu t no vi v is ion. on . Physi Phys ical sigh sightt is the t he abili ability to s ee thi th ings ng s as they are. Vis ion is the capacity capacity to s ee things things as they coul co uld d be, and that takes takes faith. The Bi Bible ble says s ays , “As [a person] perso n] thinks thinks in in hi h is heart, so is he” (Proverbs (Proverbs 23:7 nkjv). nkjv). We mus mus t neve n everr let let what our ou r eyes s ee dete de term rmiine what our ou r hearts b eliev elieve. e. “For we we walk walk [“li [“live” ve ” ni n iv] by faith faith,, not no t by b y s ight” gh t” (2 Corint orinthians hians 5:7 nkj nkjv). In In other ot her words, words , we we are to walk walk accordi acco rding ng to what is in our ou r hearts he arts.. We are to let what ha t is is in our o ur hearts dictate how h ow we we see s ee life. life. God told Abraham A braham s ometh omethiing that tha t could co uld be s een, believed believed,, and achieved onl o nly y thr th rough ou gh the eyes e yes of vis vis ion: on : He tol to ld hi h im that tha t ins ide him was a nation. n ation. He and an d Sarah Sarah were were alread already y elderl elderly, y, and an d Sarah Sarah had h ad been b een barren throug th rougho hout ut thei th eirr marri arriage. age . However, However, God s aid, aid, in in eff e ffect ect,, “I s ee a nation n ation in you y ou.. Everyo Everyone ne els els e is is looking ooking at your yo ur barr barrennes s , but I see a nation nation of descendants descend ants as num n umer erous ous as the th e stars in in the s ky and the s and on the th e shore.” (See Genesis 11:29–30; 12:1–3; 17:1–19.) When Wh en we have vi v is ion, on , we we are governed by the faith aith God has put pu t in in our o ur hearts hea rts.. Hebrews 11: 11:1 s ays ay s that th at “faith is the t he s ubs tance of things things hoped hop ed for, for, the evidence evidence of things things not s een [that you yo u cann c annot ot s ee]” (nkj (nkjv). v). The Theref refore, ore, I woul ou ld defi d efine ne faith faith as
vis vis ion in the th e heart. Fai Faith th is s eeing eeing the futur utu re in in the th e present. prese nt. When you y ou have faith, aith, you can s ee things things you hope to have and achieve. achieve. Seeing Seeing by Faith Faith If you yo u are operating operating by b y si s ight, gh t, you s ee the pr p robl ob lems ems and challeng challenges es all all around you. yo u. You You s ee how h ow many many bil bills you yo u have h ave to pay; pa y; you yo u see s ee tha t hatt you y ourr com co mpany pa ny is downs do wnsiizing; ng ; yo y o u see s ee thing t hingss that threaten you y ourr s ecurity. ecurity. Sigh Sightt witho without ut vi v is ion is dangerous dan gerous becau be causs e it it has h as no hope ho pe.. Many Man y peo p eople ple have hav e been be en living living by s ight alone, alone, and that’s one o ne reason they have all all kinds of medical problems—muscle tension, migraines, high blood press pres s ure, heart hea rt diseas dise ase, e, ulcers, tum tu mors, ors , and an d so s o on. o n. Li Living by s ight gh t can kill you. yo u. Li Life is s o full full of depress dep ress ing thi th ings ng s that th at you y ou need to learn learn to live by b y vi v is ion and s ee with with the t he eyes ey es of fai faith. th. Remem emember ber that s ight gh t is is the abil ability to s ee thi th ings ng s as they the y are, and vision vision is the abili ability to t o s ee thi th ings ng s as they coul cou ld be. b e. I like to go a step s tep further and define define vis vis ion this way: Vi Vis ion is the abil ability to s ee things things as they s houl hou ld be. Maybe Mayb e you yo u are going thr th rough ou gh a hard time time righ rightt now no w and you’r yo u’ree disheartened. dish eartened. You You’’ve lost os t you y ourr vis vis ion edge. edg e. Per Perhap hapss this is becaus be caus e of your you r s urrou urround ndiings ng s . Som Someti etim mes, es , the envi env ironm on ments we li live in are not the bes t for fos fos tering tering vis vis ion. on . What peopl p eoplee say to t o us is not alw always encouraging encouraging and can be very discour discou raging. I have hav e been tempted tempted to be b e disil disillusi us ioned on ed and an d dis dis cour cou raged many tim times. es . Even Even thoug tho ugh h we kno know w that the th e dis dis cour cou raging aging things we see s ee and an d hear h ear are are tempo temporrary, ary, they s til till
can dis dis tres tresss and depre d epress s us. us . We mus mustt keep keep our ou r vis vis ions cons tantly tantly bef b efore ore us, however, however, because the vi v is ions in our o ur hearts are are greater than our o ur environ environm ments ent s . God God gave gav e us vis vis ion s o we wou woulld not n ot have h ave to live by what we see. se e. Our spi s pirrits were ere des igned gn ed to t o operate o perate as God oper op erates ates.. In In Genes en esiis 1:2 1:26, God s aid, “Let “Let us make man man in our ou r im image, ag e, in in our ou r likenes en esss .” The word word “im “image” ag e” refers refers to moral and s piri piritual tu al character, cha racter, while hile the th e phrase ph rase “i “ in our o ur li likenes en esss ” mean meanss “to functi funct ion like.” In oth o ther er words words,, we we were created to live according according to t o the th e natur natu re of God God and to t o function as He fun functi ction onss in the world. The Bible is is very clear clear that th at “with “withou outt faith faith it is impos po s s ible to please pleas e Go Go d” (Hebrews 11: 11:6). If you yo u try t ry to funct fun ctiion in any an y oth o ther er way tha t han n faith, you y ou wil will malfun alfunct ctiion. on . That is why worry is ungo un godly dly and an d fear mak makes es your yo ur vision s hortho rt-ci circui rcuit. t. You You were were never nev er mean meantt to be afr a frai aid. d. Jesus Jes us was fil filled with with faith faith,, and He was was the th e calmes calmestt perso p erson n on earth. He slept s ound ou ndlly in the th e mi middl dd le of a sto s torm rm.. When Whe n His His fri frighten gh tened ed disci disc iples woke woke Him Him up, up , He He as ked them th em,, “Do “Do you yo u s till till have ha ve no faith faith?” ?” (Mark (Ma rk 4:4 4:40). He was was tel te lling them th em,, “If “If you yo u hav h avee faith faith,, you’l yo u’lll be abl ab le to s leep duri du ring ng a sto s torm rm,, as well well.” You You may be s ayi ay ing, ng , “Thi “Th is does do esn’t n’t so s o und un d very v ery practical. p ractical.”” It is is , howeve ho wever. r. I have hav e been bee n li living this t his way—by faith faith instea ins tead d of o f fear—f fear—for or over ov er twenty years, and an d it’s it’s been s o much much fun. un . I don’t do n’t worr worry y for very long on g abou ab outt anyth an ythiing becaus becau s e I beli believe that t hat,, ulti ultim mately, ately, everythi everyth ing is on my s ide. Even Even the s chemes chemes of the devi dev il work to my benefi ben efit. t. Al A ll thi th ings ng s work for for my my good go od becau bec auss e I am called called
accordi acco rding ng to God’s od ’s purpos pu rpos e. (See (See Roman omanss 8:28.) The Creative Power of Faith Faith How does faith aith work? work? To underst un derstand and the ans wer to this ques qu estion, tion, we we need ne ed to exam examiine more clos clos ely ely how h ow God God functi funct ions on s . In Jeremi Jeremiah 1:12, God d eclared, “I am watchi watch ing to s ee that th at my word is fulfi fulfilled.” ed .” The New A merican erican Standa Stan dard rd Bi Bible say s ayss it thi th is way: “I am watching over ov er My word to t o perf p erform orm it.” As A s thi th is verse—alon verse—along g with with many other oth erss througho throug hout ut the Bible— ble— demon demonss trates, trates , God God alw always bring bringss His words into being. What Wh at did did God God us e to create create the th e uni un iverse? He us ed words words.. All All throug th rough h the t he acco a ccoun untt of o f Creati Creation on,, we we read, “God “God s aid” aid” (Gene (Geness is 1:3, 1:3, 6, 6, 9, 11, 11, 14, 14, 20, 20, 24, 24, 26) 26).. Go Go d h ad an id ea for th t h e u n iv erse, ers e, and then th en He saw s aw or visual visu aliized it. Finall Finally, y, He spo s pok ke His His idea de a into exi exis tence. ten ce. The result res ult was was that th at everyth ev erythiing God s aw in in His His mind’ nd ’s eye for the earth and an d the t he rest res t of o f the uni un iverse became became visible visible reali reality in the t he phys ph ys ical worl world. d. God God created everyth eve rythiing by s peaki peaking His thoughts thou ghts into being. being. Nothi Noth in g on o n earth ea rth is mo mo re im importan po rtantt than th an a tho t houg ught ht.. Though Thou ghts ts are more more im impor po rtant tan t than th an words words becaus becau s e words words are produ pro duced ced from from thou th ough ghts ts . Yet Yet while while thou th ough ghts ts are the th e mos mos t impor po rtant tan t thi th ings ng s on earth, words words are the mos mos t powerf p owerful. ul. This poi po int is cruci cruc ial to unde un derst rstan and d beca b ecaus us e, whil whilee thou th ough ghts ts des de s ign a futur utu re, words words create create that th at future. Nothi oth ing happen hap penss unti un till you yo u s tart talk talking about abo ut it. You You can think about abo ut s omething omething for twenty years, but bu t that t hat will not no t br b ring it to t o pas p asss . Cr Creative eative pow po wer is not n ot in though thou ghts ts alon alone. e. It is is in the words words (and acti act ions on s ) that come come from from them th em.. Wheth Whe ther er thos tho s e words words are spoken sp oken or o r writt ritten en,,
they th ey are full full of creat creatiive power po wer.. Therefore, Therefore, when you yo u s peak words words express express ing what you yo u s ee in you y ourr vision, your yo ur words words becom bec omee creative creative power p ower to hel h elp p bri b ring ng that vis vis ion to fruition uition.. However However,, there is is a negati neg ative ve as pect to thi th is truth, truth , as well well: You can underm un dermiine you y ourr vision by b y what you yo u continuall con tinually y s ay abo a bout ut yours yo ursel elff, such su ch as a s “I’m “I’m fat,” “I’m “I’m s low,” “I’m “I’m not no t intell int elliigent ge nt,” ,” “I’m a ti t imid pers pe rson on,” ,” “I don do n ’t li like peo p eop p le,” “I’m a failu failu re,” or o r “I’ll “I’ll alway alwayss h ave av e a mo rtgag rtg age.” e.” I am a m. I am. am. I am. am. You You wil will becom be comee everyth ev erythiing you yo u cons co ns tantly tan tly declare declare abou ab outt yourself yo urself.. That is is the pow po wer of words words.. Compo ompoun unding ding this t his problem p roblem is the th e fact that th at the th e devi dev il knows no ws God and His ways ay s very well well. Sata Satan n knows that th at the t he key to to creati creating ng anything any thing is having h aving a clear clear vis vis ion of it it and an d s peaking peaking it into exi exis tence. tence . He He wants wants you yo u to s peak negative rathe ratherr than pos po s itive thing t hingss s o tha t hatt yo y o ur effect effectiivene ve ness s for God’s od ’s king kingdo dom m will be negate n egated. d. We can help protect our o ur vis vis ions on s by guar gu ardi ding ng what we say. say . If you want to t o fulfi fulfill your yo ur vision, you y ou mus t s peak pe ak diff differently erently than you yo u have hav e been. been . Ins tead of o f s aying, “I’ “I’ll alw always have hav e a mortgage,” ortgag e,” say, say , “I’ “I’m goi go ing to be debt d ebt free.” Can Can you y ou s ay that? t hat? You may have hav e been b een imagining agining that th at you y ou don’t do n’t owe any an y bil bills , but you yo u hav h avee to s tart s aying it, as well well. Say, Say, “My “M y God God wil will meet all all [my] needs need s according according to his his glori gloriou ouss riches in Chri Chris t Jesus Jes us”” (Phil (Philiippi pp ians an s 4:19), 19), then the n pray, pray , “Lo “Lo rd, pl p leas e perf pe rform orm Your ou r Word.” Word.” You You have to t o s peak. peak. A vis vis ion does n’t have any power until un til you yo u tal ta lk about abo ut it.
Faith Faith Sees Prob Probllems ems as Opportu pp ortuniti nities es Life is is the way you y ou s ee it. it. When you yo u begin b egin to s ee wi with the eyes eye s of fai faith th,, you yo u wil will unde un derst rstand and how ho w to make make your you r vision a reali reality. ty . There is is a sto s torry of o f a man man and his fri friend en d who visited Indi nd ia years ago. ago . They were were walk walking dow do wn the t he s treets of Bombay ombay and s aw the thous tho usands ands of poor poo r peopl peop le on the s treets treets.. Hundreds un dreds lay on cardb cardboard oard boxes boxes in the th e gutters gut ters or under und er the bridg bridges es.. Fil Filthy th y peo p eople ple were were begg beg g ing along alon g the t he s treets treet s . There The re were ere poor po or peopl peop le by the t he thou th ouss ands and s walk alking barefoo barefoot. t. The man man s aid aid to t o hi h is fri friend, end , “Loo “Look k at the t hess e peop pe oplle. Is Is n’t it it a s ad si s ight? They’re They’re wi without tho ut shoes s hoes . Thou Thouss ands of baref barefoot oot peop pe oplle. What Wh at a pi p ity. ty . Is Is n’t it a sham sh amee that th at we have ha ve s o muc much h at hom ho me in in our o ur country coun try whi whille thes th esee peopl peo plee are poor poo r and witho without ut s hoes ho es.. I’l I’lll never nev er forget forget thi th is s ight. gh t. I have ha ve to t o tel t elll my wife wife about abo ut this.” He He conti con tinu nued ed to talk talk about abo ut how h ow poor they were and about abo ut thei th eirr bare feet feet.. By By this t his time, time, his fri friend en d had h ad already already taken out ou t a pi p iece of paper pap er and was writing ting dow do wn s ome ome notes no tes.. He He had s tarted work workiing out o ut a pl p lan of how to s hip hip sho s hoes es over ov er to India and how h ow to manu manuffacture sho s hoes es in India. India. Ins Instead tead of o f s aying, “Loo “Look k at the th e bare feet,” feet,” he was s aying aying,, “Loo “Look k at the t he feet that th at need s hoes !” Today hi h is enterpri enterpris e is is one of o f the lar larges gestt shoe s hoe compan companiies in Ameri America. ca. One man s aw bare feet. A noth no ther er man man s aw an opp o pportunity ortunity for a much much--needed need ed bus b us ines s . It’s It’s all in how h ow you see. Let me me give you y ou anoth ano ther er il illus tration tration of thi th is truth. truth . Som Somee years ye ars ago, ag o, a pas p asto torr sai sa id to t o me, “Dr. “Dr. Munro Mu nroe, e, I am from from Vermo ermo nt, nt , and there is is n’t anything any thing up there. There There is is nothing no thing but bu t maple maple trees trees,,
cows, and s now no w. There is n’t anythi anyt hing ng happ h appening ening in in the th e town where I’m I’m from from,, and an d I wan wantt to t o do s omet omething hing for God God.. I’m I’m g oing to move ov e dow do wn s outh, ou th, bui bu ild a nice nice chur chu rch, and do a work work for God.” od .” I li lis tened ten ed to him for a whil whilee and an d then th en s aid, aid, “Thi “Th ink about abo ut it. If If ther the re is is n’t any other o ther chur chu rch to go to in your yo ur town, you yo u have hav e a great oppo op porrtuni tun ity to t o buil b uild d the th e mos mos t dynam dy namiic chur chu rch in Vermon ermont.” t.” He loo look ked at me and an d s aid, aid, “Yeah “Yeah!” !” Today, Toda y, he h e has h as the larges largestt chur chu rch in in his tow to wn. We mus mustt not no t onl on ly have hav e si s ight gh t but bu t also als o vi v is ion. on . You can s ee every ev ery problem as an opp o pportu ortunity nity for ministry, nist ry, s ervice, ervice, or bus ines s . Tha Thatt is is reall really how h ow Baha Baham mas Faith Faith Mini Miniss tries tries International got s tarted. The num n umber ber one on e pr p robl ob lem of peopl peop le in in devel dev elop opiing nations is ignorance. gn orance. God God rais ais ed up BFMI to be one o ne of o f the soluti s olution onss to that problem: problem: to bring bring knowl no wledg edge, e, training, training, and an d information nformation to the th e Thi Th ird Worl W orld. d. The organi organ ization was bi b irthed to t o hel h elp p solve s olve a probl prob lem that th at affects affects 3.8 bill billion peo pe o ple. I believ believee with with all my heart he art tha t hatt the t he Baham ah amas as will becom bec omee known as a center cen ter for for educat edu catiion and an d trai t raining, ning, not no t ust us t sun s un and an d sand. s and. There There are are going to be b e all all kinds of uni un iversities versities,, traini training ng s chools, cho ols, and oppo op porrtuni tun ities ties to gr g row intel nt elllectual ectu allly. That’s That ’s the t he vision God God has ha s placed in my my heart. h eart. Great Thinking Precedes Great Achievement Success Succes s ful men men and a nd women omen who have hav e im impress ed and impacte pa cted d their t heir generations ge nerations weren’t “lucky.” “lucky.” They didn’t jus jus t s tumbl tumblee on greatnes greatnesss . They They thought thou ght great great thi th ings and expected expected great thi th ings ng s , and gr g reatnes eatn esss found ou nd them. them. Bi Big thi t hinki nking ng precedes great achievement. achievement. You You don’t do n’t need to be bi b ig to t o thi t hink nk great
thoughts thou ghts . You You need n eed to think think great great though tho ughts ts to becom b ecomee big. big. That is the faith aith of vis vis ion. on . You mus t reali realize that th at ideas cont co ntrol rol the th e world. world. Ideas are so so power po werful ful that th at man many y nat n atiions on s are ruled ruled by b y the t he tho t houg ught htss of men men who have hav e lon long g s ince di d ied. When Wh en I went went to college, college, mos mostt of o f the books bo oks I read were by peo p eople ple who who are no longe lon gerr living. ving . I s pent pe nt thous tho usand andss of o f dol do llars ars s tudyi tud ying ng their t heir ideas . A vision is is an a n idea idea that is s o pow po werful erful it it can live beyo b eyond nd the grave. You Yourr own own vis vis ion s hould ho uld outlive outlive you. yo u. In In order for that to happ h appen, en, how ho wever, you can’t keep keep your yo ur ideas ideas to yourself yo urself.. You You must us t clearl clearly y conce co nceiive and a nd expres expresss them th em.. I’ll ’ll never neve r forget forget the th e ti t ime I was grappl grapp ling with with the th e pos p os s ibili bility of wri writing ting boo b ook ks . I tol to ld God God that th at I didn didn’t ’t want want to write rite becau b ecauss e s o many many other oth erss were ere wri writing ting books, bo oks, and I didn didn’’t want to t o do d o it ust us t becaus beca usee everybody everybo dy el e ls e was was doi do ing it. I wanted ant ed my my teachi teach ing to be real and genui gen uine. ne. For mon months ths , I s truggled with with this is s ue becaus becau s e pub p ubllis hers had been call calling me telli telling me that they th ey had lis tened to t o audi aud io tapes tap es of my my teachings teachings and had h ad s een my tel t elev eviis ion program prog ram.. They s aid, aid, “You “You have ha ve many many ideas dea s that need to be b e shared s hared wi with millions on s of peopl peop le. Why don’t do n’t you write rite a boo b ook k?” At A t first first,, I tol to ld them th em,, “I don’t do n’t want to wri write a book. bo ok. I’m I’m happ ha ppy y just jus t teach te achiing.” ng .” Howev However, er, when I was was prepari prep aring ng my not n otes es one on e night nigh t for a teaching teac hing,, I felt felt as if the th e Lord Lord was s ayi ay ing to me, “If you yo u do d o not n ot write, rite, what you yo u know no w wi will die with you. yo u. If If you yo u wri write down d own the ideas that tha t I have gi g iven you, yo u, how ho wever, ev er, your yo ur words words wil will live on after you are gone go ne.” .” Do You You Have Sigh Sightt or o r Vi Vis ion? on ?
Your ou r succes suc cesss or fai faillure is is deter det erm mined by how ho w you s ee. Jes Jesus us conti con tinu nual allly deal d ealtt with with the s ight gh t of the di d is cipl ciples es becaus becau s e thei th eir r s ight gh t got g ot them into troubl troub le so s o of o ften. He wanted wanted them to move ov e from s ight gh t to vision vision,, and that th at is is why He taugh tau ghtt them th em about abo ut faith faith throu t hrough gh life il illus tration trationss s uch uc h as the th e fi fig tree, the feeding of the five five tho t hous us and, and , and the t he rais rais ing of Laz Lazarus arus.. (See, (See, for example, Matthew 21:19–22; Mark 6:34–44; John 11:1–44.) The faith faith of o f vis vis ion is crucial crucial becaus becau s e the th e way way you y ou s ee thi th ings ng s determi determines how ho w you think and act and, an d, therefore, therefore, whether heth er or not no t you y ourr vis vis ion will becom bec omee reali reality. ty . Prov Proverbs erbs 23:7 says say s , “As [a perso pe rson n ] thi th inks in hi h is heart, he art, so s o is he” h e” (nkjv (nkjv ). Do you yo u hav h avee si s ight gh t or vision vision?? A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion What Wh at is is your you r answ ans wer to the th e questi ques tion on that th at concluded concluded this this chapter: Do you y ou have h ave si s ight or vision? Are you thi th inking nking and s peaking peaking in pos p os itive tive or o r negat ne gatiive term t ermss in relation relation to t o you y ourr vision? Choos hoo s e one on e aspect as pect of o f your vis vis ion and pr p ractice actice s peak pea king words words of fai faith th regardi eg arding ng it. Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. Sigh Sightt is is a function func tion of the th e eyes , while hile vis vis ion is a functi un ction on of o f the heart. h eart. 2. Sigh Sightt is is the t he abi ab ility to s ee things as they t hey are, a re, while hile
vis vis ion is the abi ab ility to t o s ee things things as they could could (or s houl hou ld) be. 3. We mus mustt never nev er let what what our ou r eyes s ee determi determine what our ou r hearts hearts believe. believe. 4. Faith Faith is is vi v is ion in in the heart. hea rt. 5. Sigh Sightt wi without tho ut vis vis ion is is dangerous dan gerous becaus becau s e it it has no hope. 6. The vis vis ions on s in our ou r hearts are greater than tha n our environments. 7. God gave g ave us vision vision s o we we wou woulld not no t have to live live by what we see. s ee. 8. W e were were created to t o li live according acc ording to the t he way God God functi un ction onss . God God functi un ction onss through throu gh faith aith and His Word. 9. Whi Wh ile though thou ghts ts are the mos mostt im impor po rtant tan t thing thingss on on earth, words words are are the th e mos mostt power p owerfful. ul. Thoughts Thoug hts des ign a futu futurre, but words words create that futur futu re. 10. W hethe het herr words are s pok po ken or wri writt tten en,, they th ey are full of creative power po wer.. 11. Faith Faith sees s ees pr p robl ob lems ems as opp o pportuniti ortunities es.. 12. Great thinki thinking ng precedes p recedes great achi ach ievem ev ement ent.. 13. You don’t do n’t need to be big to thi th ink great though thou ghts ts..
You need n eed to thi t hink nk great thoug tho ughts hts to becom b ecomee big. big. That is the t he faith faith of vis vis ion. on . 14. Ideas cont co ntrol rol the th e worl world. 15. A vi v is ion is an idea that tha t is is s o pow po werful erful it can live live beyo be yond nd the th e grave. grav e. 16. In order for your yo ur vision to outli ou tlive ve you, yo u, you can’t can ’t keep your yo ur ide ideas as to yours yo ursel elf. f. You mus t clearl clearly concei con ceive ve and a nd express express them. them. 17. The faith faith of o f vision is is crucial becau be causs e the way you s ee things things determ determines how you think think and act and, and , theref th erefore, ore, whe wheth ther er or not no t you y ourr vis vis ion wil will becom beco me reality.
Chapt ha pter er Ni Nine
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #6: Under erstan stand d th thee Proce Pr ocess ss of Vi Vi sion si on In hi h is heart a man man plans plans his his cour cou rs e, but the Lord determ det ermiines his steps. —Prov —Proverbs erbs 16: 16:9 The si s ixth princi principle ple is is that we mus mus t und u nder erss tand the process proces s of vis vis ion. on . God God has ha s a plan for each of our ou r lives , yet He bring bringss thos th os e plans to pas pa s s in a gradua g raduall way. I’m I’m learning earning that th at God God tells tells us where we we are goi go ing with our ou r visions , but He rarel rarely y tel t ellls us exactly exactly how ho w He wil will take us there. th ere. He gives gives us pur pu rpos po s e but bu t doesn’t explain the full process. Prov Prover erbs bs 16:9 s ays, ays , “In “In hi h is heart a man man plans plans his course, co urse, but bu t the Lord determ d etermiines his his s teps tep s .” Notice Notice the word “s teps .” God God didn didn’’t say s ay He wou woulld di d irect our o ur leaps leaps , but rather our steps s teps . There is is no hur hu rried way to get to God’ od ’s vision vision.. He He leads leads us s tep-bytep-by -s tep, dayday -byby -day, day , throu through gh tribu tribullation ationss , tri trials als , and charactercharacter-bui bu ilding ding oppo op porrtuni tun ities ties as He mov moves es us toward toward our o ur dreams dreams . Why does do es God lead us u s in this t his way? Becaus Becaus e He does do esn’t n’t want want us u s onl on ly to win; He wants wants us to win win with with s tyle. God’ od ’s des ire is is to fashion as hion peop p eoplle with with character and battl batt le s cars who can s ay, “God “God didn didn’’t jus justt hand ha nd me this vi v is ion. on . I have hav e qualified for it.” The Rou Route te Prepares Prepares Us for the th e Desti Dest ination Somet Sometiimes, es , we we beco b ecom me imp imp ati at ient en t with with Go d’s proces pro ces s becau be causs e we can see s ee ou o u r des de s tinati tinat ions on s , and an d we wan wantt to arrive arrive
there th ere tomorr tomorrow. ow. Howev However, er, God s ays ay s , “No, “No, I have hav e a route rout e that th at will get you yo u there.” t here.” Even Even thou th ough gh thi th is route rout e may may s eem long, on g, it it is not desi des igned to keep us from our desti des tinati nations ons ; it it is is desi des igned to prepare prep are us for them th em.. At the th e time time when we receive receive our ou r visions vision s , we we are not yet ready for them. them. We don’t do n’t yet have hav e the th e abili ability to handl han dlee the th e big thi th ings ng s that th at we’re we’re dreami dreaming. ng . We don’t do n’t have hav e the th e experi experien ence ce or the th e charact c haracter er for for them th em.. God God coul cou ld accom acco mplis plis h qui qu ickly ckly what He desi des ires to do d o thr th rough oug h us u s , yet He He wants wants to pr p repare epare us to receive receive and work work in our o ur vis vis ions on s . You mus t learn learn to t o trai t rain n for what what God has ha s already already tol to ld you y ou is comi coming. ng . You You don’t do n’t need ne ed to t o worry worry abou ab outt whether wheth er or not no t it it is goi go ing to come. come. If If He He has h as promi promis ed that th at it is is com co ming, ng , then it is. Yet you y ou must us t s tay on cour cou rs e if if you’re you’re goi go ing to follow ollow the work God has call called you y ou to do. do . Stay Stay in the t he s eat where God God has placed you, yo u, put pu t on o n you y ourr s eat belt, b elt, and an d han h ang g on o n unt u ntiil He brin brin gs the th e vi v is ion to pas s . It It wil will be reali realized, but b ut you yo u mus t wait wait on o n Him Him. We ask as k God, od , “Why do I need to go this way? I don’ don ’t li like this this route.” He He ans wers ers that the t he route is is going to do two two thi t hings ngs for us: us : 1. devel dev elop op our character 2. produc prod ucee respon resp onss ibili bility in us We weren’t weren’t born with with tho t hoss e things, things , so we have to learn them th em.. Moreover, Moreov er, if God were to s how ho w us the th e route rout e to where he re we we are goi go ing, ng , we we mi might gh t say s ay,, “That’s okay, God God.. You You can keep the th e
visi vis io n. I’ll I’ll s tay ta y righ rightt where wh ere I am.” am.” Let’s look oo k at the t he life life of Jos Jos eph as an exam example. ple. W hen he was onl on ly s event eve nteen een years yea rs ol o ld, he had ha d a dream from from God in which his father, fath er, mothe ot herr, and broth b rothers ers were were kne kneel eliing down do wn before him. him. (See (See Genes en esiis 37:9–10.) –10.) Jos eph ep h thou th ough ghtt to hims hims elf, elf, “Yes “Yes!! I like this t his dream.” dream.” He He saw s aw hims hims elf up on a thro t hrone ne with with a whol who le kingdo ng dom m at hi h is feet. In In hi h is mind, nd , he was King King Joseph Jos eph.. God had given him a vision, yet He didn’t tell him how he was going to get there. there. Supp Suppos osee God God had s aid, aid, “Joseph, “Joseph , you’re you’re goi go ing to becom beco me a gr g reat ruler, ruler, and here is is what I have pl p lanned ann ed to get g et you yo u ther th ere. e. Fi Firs t, your brothers are going to tear t ear your yo ur favor avo rite clothes right gh t of o ff your back. Secon Second, d, they the y ar a re goi g oing ng to throw you into a p it. Thir Third, they are are goi go ing to s ell ell you yo u as a s lave. Fourth, your yo ur mas master’ ter’ss wife is goi g oing ng to lie abou ab outt you y ou,, accus ing you yo u of o f rape. rape. Fif Fifth, your yo ur mas master ter is is goi go ing to have h ave you y ou put pu t in in jail jail, whe where re you wil will be forgo fo rgott tten en for a lon long g ti t ime. Howev However, er, eventually, you’ll get there.” If God had said that, Joseph proba pro bably bly woul wou ld hav h avee replied replied,, “I’l “I’lll tel te ll y ou what. what . I’l I’ll jus t sta s tay ya s hepherd. hep herd. I’m I’m ver ve ry happy hap py where he re I am righ rightt now.” n ow.” Some Some of you yo u are in in the t he mi mids t of o f the vision proces s and are are wonde on deri ring ng,, “Where’ “Wh ere’ss the th e visi vis ion God promi promis ed me? Where W here are all all thos th os e big dreams dreams He s how ho wed me me fi five years y ears ago a go?? The bus bu s ines ne s s I was working working for closed clos ed down d own.. I los t my my job, and an d then I los lostt my my hou h ouss e. This This does d oes n’t loo look k anything any thing lik like the th e vision vision He sho s howed wed me.” me.” You You are begi beg inni nn ing to wonder wond er if if there is is a God God in heav h eaven en.. Jos Jos eph ep h lik likely ely felt felt the th e sam s amee way duri du ring ng his ordeal o rdealss . He found fou nd hims hims elf elf sitting in a pi p it when, when , jus jus t a few days day s earli earlier,
he had h ad s een hims hims elf elf on a throne. throne . He He was probabl probab ly thi t hinki nking ng,, “Whe “W here re is is the th e God God who sho s how wed me me that th at dr d ream?” eam?” I beli believe God’s od ’s repl rep ly to Josep Jos eph h was s ometh omethiing like this: t his: “I’m “I’m with you yo u in the pit, pit, and I’m worki orking on your yo ur character becaus e you y ou can’t rule well without it.” Suppos Suppo s e Joseph Jos eph hadn’t had n’t lear learned ned s elf elf-control con trol through throug h all his hards hips? hips ? When Wh en Poti Pot iphar’ ph ar’ss wife wife tri tried to t o sedu s educe ce hi h im, he mi might gh t have gi g iven in to the temptati temptation. on. Ins Instead, tead, because becaus e he had had h ad to learn disci dis cipli pline ne and a nd reli reliance anc e on God, od , he coul cou ld be b e trus ted in s uch a si s ituati tuat ion. on . God’ od ’s ways of getting us where we we need to go are often differ different ent from from what we expe expect, ct, but b ut there th ere is is always always a good go od reason eas on for them. them. Do you y ou reall eally bel b eliieve that t hat God s ees and know no ws everythi everyth ing? ng ? If you do, then you y ou have h ave to trust trus t that your y our hards hardshi hips ps are are part part of Hi His perf pe rfect ect pl p lan for you. yo u. If If you yo u lost los t you y ourr job thi th is morning, your yo ur fi firs t ques q uesti tion on may be, b e, “How “How am I going going to pay the mortgag ortg age?” e?” Yet Yet God God will s ay to you, yo u, “Do you y ou believ believee I kno know w you?” If you answer, “Yes, Lord,” He will say, “Good. It’s part of the th e pl p lan. an . I’m I’m worki working on your yo ur charact ch aracter. er. Let Let me me tak ta ke care ca re of your mortgage.” Let’s look oo k at anot an othe herr exam example. ple. What Wh at if God God had s aid aid to Mos Mo s es, es , whil whilee he h e was s till till one on e of o f the mos mos t powerf p owerful ul men men in Egypt gyp t as the adopted ado pted s on of Phar Pharaoh’s aoh’s daught d aughter er,, “I “I have rais ais ed you y ou up to be b e a deliverer deliverer to br b ring My peop p eoplle out ou t of Egy Egypt pt into nt o the t he Prom Promiis ed Land, and , but bu t this t his is how ho w it it wil will trans pire: pire: In In you y our r zeal to protect p rotect My people, peo ple, you will rashl rash ly murder murder an Egypt gy ptiian, and you yo u wil will have ha ve to t o flee flee int into o the th e wi wildernes derne s s and an d beco b ecom me a
mere ere shep s hepherd. herd. Then, when when you yo u becom beco me the th e leader leader of the Is raeli aelites, tes , they are are goi g oing ng to infuri nfuriate you y ou.. They are goi go ing to murmur urmur and complai complain. n. They are going to t o revol revo lt agai ag ains ns t you y ou.. As a matt matter er of fact, fact, becau b ecauss e of o f your you r rreact eactiion to them th em,, you wil will dis dis obey ob ey Me, and you yo u won’t even ev en make ake it it into the Prom Promiis ed Land.” and .” I thi th ink Mos es would have hav e sai s aid, d, “Lord, “Lord, You You can keep both bo th the th e peop pe oplle and an d Pharaoh Pha raoh.. I thi th ink I’l I’lll pas pa s s on thi th is visi vis ion.” on .” We think that, tha t, jus jus t becaus b ecaus e we’r we’re goi g oing ng through throu gh dif difficult times times,, God God has s topp to pped ed work working to fulfi fulfilll our ou r purpos purpo s es. es . Yet Yet they th ey are stil s tilll com co ming. ng . God God is work working on us , preparing preparing us for our purposes purpos es through the pr p rocess oces s . Howe However, ver, we often si s it back b ack and s ay, “Why is is it taki taking s o long long?? Why do I have to go go throug th rough h al a ll thi th is ?” That Th at attitud at titudee of com co mplaint plaint and an d lack of fai faith th is exactly exactly what God God is trying trying to work out ou t of o f you. yo u. He He does do esn’t n’t want you yo u to go g o into into your yo ur prom promiis ed land land dr d raggi agg ing bad b ad atti att itudes tud es behind be hind you. yo u. He is is worki working for your yo ur good go od.. What Wh at abou ab outt Daniel Daniel?? God God appoi app ointed nted him him to be b e a prophet proph et and an d all allowed hi h im to s ee vi v is ions on s of futu futurre event ev entss , includi including ng the end times times,, yet God didn’t tel t elll him that th at he h e woul wou ld be b e thrown t hrown into a lion’s on ’s den d en for obeying ob eying Him! Agai Aga in, God God’s ’s pl p lan to t o get g et you y ou where you yo u are are meant meant to be is unpredi un predictable. ctable. He does d oesn’t n’t tell you yo u about abo ut it because becaus e you might gh t be tempted tempted to qui q uit. t. What about Paul? God told him, essentially, “You will be an apos apo s tle to the th e Gent Gentiiles for Me. You You wil will preach preach to kings ng s .” (See (See Acts Act s 9:15.) Paul might gh t have h ave thou th ough ght, t, “That sou s ound ndss pretty good go od.” .” However, However, if God God had told hi h im about abo ut the fasti as ting ngss , the whippings, hippings, the s tonings, tonings , the hunger hun ger,, and the th e pris pris ons , Paul Paul
might gh t have h ave s aid, aid, “I thi th ink I’ I’ll s tay in Jerus alem alem rather ath er than tha n going g oing on that t hat road to t o Damas Damascus cus .” As it was, after after his his conversion, con version, God did warn warn Paul through throu gh Anan An aniias, as , “I wi will s how ho w him him how ho w much uc h he mus t s uffer fo fo r my my nam na me” (v. 16) 16).. What about Jesus ? When Wh en the th e Son of God God was born, wi wis e men came came to t o visi vis it Him Him. They The y bowed bo wed down do wn before b efore Him Him, calli calling Him a ki king. ng . Yet Yet what a pr p roces s He had to go through throug h to t o get g et to that throne! throne ! IIn n the t he Garden Garden of o f Geth Gethss emane, emane, Jesus Jesu s began beg an to t o feel the burden, b urden, and He prayed, in in effect, effect, “Is “Is n’t there any other oth er way?” (See (See Matt Ma tthe hew w 26: 26:3 36– 44.) He He felt what y ou are feeling feeling.. You might gh t say, s ay, “Is “Is n’t there another anoth er way to s tart a bus ines s ?” Go d wil will ans an s wer, wer, “No. This is the th e way I am taki ta king ng y ou. ou . You You want to have a s hoe s tore? Good Good.. I want you y ou to t o s tart tart by worki orking in one.” o ne.” Or you yo u mi might gh t as k, “Is “Is n’t there th ere a better bet ter way way of opening op ening my own restau res taurant?” rant?” and an d God God wil will s ay, “You “You’l ’lll have ha ve your yo ur res restaurant, taurant, but firs t you yo u have ha ve to learn earn to cook coo k for s omeon omeonee els els e. This This is your yo ur rou route. te. I’m I’m worki orking on your yo ur character cha racter and your yo ur training.” training.” Sometim Sometimes es,, we we want the th e vi v is ion without being qualified for it. You may not no t face a lif life-or-dea e-or-death th s ituation, tu ation, as s ome ome of o f God God’s ’s peop pe oplle have ha ve,, but bu t you y ou wil will have ha ve cha c halllenge en gess and an d di d iffi fficul cu lties in one on e degree deg ree or anot an other her as you yo u mov movee tow to ward the th e fulfi fulfilllment of your yo ur vis vis ion. on . That That is why I want you yo u to be aware aware of the pr p roces s of vis vis ion and be pr p repared for it. I don’t do n’t want want you y ou to gi g ive up u p on on your vision prematurely. God will continually fulfill a little more of you y ourr dream until un til it com c omes es to pas pa s s . It It wil will cul cu lminate na te in His His timi timin g. Thi Th is is the th e wil will o f Go Go d for fo r you. yo u. Lam Lamen enta tation tionss 3:2 3:26 says sa ys , “It is is good go od to wait ait qui qu ietly for for the s alvat alvatiion of the Lord.” Lord.”
I wrote earli earlier that th at Mon M onday day mornings are depress dep ress ing for many peopl peo plee becaus becau s e they hate hat e their jobs ob s . Yet such s uch jobs ob s can s erve erve a purpos p urposee in in God God’’s plan. plan. God God places places us in jobs that tha t wil will prepare prep are us for our ou r life’s work. work. Rem Remem embe berr that th at a job is a prep reoccupation on the way to true occupation. If you yo u are fr frustrated us trated with with you y ourr job, ob , you yo u need n eed to s tay there t here unl un less es s God directs directs othe ot herrwis wis e, reali realizzing that th at it it is is not no t you y our r perm pe rman anen entt pos p os ition. tion . I’m I’m very ve ry glad for each of o f the th e job jobss I have ha ve had, had , becaus beca us e they t hey all all prepared prepa red me me for what what I’m I’m doi do ing righ rightt now no w. What Wh at I am doi do ing now no w is is s o fulfi fulfilling that th at I coul cou ld do d o it for the th e rest res t of o f my my life. Therefore, Therefore, subm su bmiit you y ourself rself to your yo ur job job,, learn learn what you y ou’’re sup s uppo poss ed to learn, earn, and get g et all all the knowledg knowledgee that you yo u can ca n from from it, becaus beca us e you’r yo u’ree goi go ing to move ov e on in a litt littlle while. Purpos e gives your yo ur job job meani ean ing. ng . Being eing in a pi p it and an d in pris pris on didn didn’’t stop s top Joseph Jos eph becaus becau s e he saw s aw him hims elf elf as a rul ruler er,, and he knew that th at one o ne day d ay hi h is vision woul wou ld be b e fulf fulfilled. God God’s ’s purpo p urposs e in you y ourr heart heart is what enabl enab les you yo u to t o keep mov moviing forward. orward. The Vis ion W ill Not Prov Provee False Fals e The prophe prop hett Habakk ab akkuk uk ask as ked God, od , “How lon long, g, O Lord, Lord, mus mus t I call call for help, but bu t you y ou do not no t lis lis ten? te n?”” (Hab (Habakk akkuk uk 1: 1:2). 2). He He was referring to all the problems and difficulties that were taking place in his nat n atiion. on . There was was disord dis order, er, corr co rrup uption tion,, and murd murder. er. The Lord’s Lord’s ans wer to hi h im was this: t his: Write Write down d own the th e rev revel elation ation and an d make make it it plain plain on o n tablets t ablets s o that th at a herald herald may may run with with it. For the revelation revelation awaits awaits an
appoi app oint nted ed ti t ime; it speaks s peaks of the end and will not no t pr p rove ov e fals fals e. Thoug Tho ugh h it linger, ng er, wait wait for it; it; it wil will certainly certainly com co me and a nd wil will not no t del de lay.. ay ....B ..But ut the th e righ righte teou ouss wil will li live by his faith faith.( .(Habakk Habakkuk uk 2:2–4 2:2–4)) The vision vision that tha t you yo u have h ave received received awai awaits ts an appo ap poiinted tim time. It speaks s peaks concerni con cerning ng the t he end—not end —not the th e end of o f life or the end en d of the th e age, ag e, but bu t the t he end e nd,, or fulf fulfiillment, ent , of your you r dream dream.. “It “It s peak pea ks of the th e end en d and an d wil will not no t prove p rove fals fals e.” In In oth o ther er words words,, God God is s aying, aying , “If I gave gav e you yo u a vi v is ion, on , don’t do n’t worr worry y that th at it it seem s eemss as if it is n’t hap h appen peniing. ng . It It wil will come come to t o pas pa s s .” In In the th e mean meantim time, e, we are are tol to ld tha t hatt “the “t he righteo gh teous us wil will live by b y hi h is faith aith.” .” This This is where wal walk king by faith aith and not no t by b y s ight gh t com co mes in. You mus t bel b eliieve in what God has told you yo u becaus b ecaus e it it won’t happen hap pen over ov ernight. night. It It wil will occur occu r through throug h a pr p roces s of character devel dev elop opm ment, ent , which which wil will com co me as you yo u live live by faith faith and an d inner inn er vis vis ion—not by b y what what you yo u see. s ee. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion How has God us ed expe experriences enc es in you y ourr li life to bui bu ild charact ch aracter er in in you y ou?? What Wh at character quali qualities ties has God s hown you yo u that t hat you need to work on? Lis t ways in which which you y ourr job is prepari prepa ring ng you yo u for your yo ur li life’s fe’s work, ork, suc s uch h as s kills , kno know wledge, edg e, and experience.
Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples
1. God has h as a plan for for each of o f our ou r lives ve s , yet He bring bringss thos e plans plans to pas s in a gradual way. 2. God wil will tel te ll you yo u where you yo u are goi go in g with with you y our r visi vis ion, on , but bu t He wil will rarely rarely tel te ll you yo u exact exactlly how ho w He He wil will tak ta ke you y ou there. th ere. 3. There is is no n o hurr hu rriied way to get g et to God God’s ’s vis vis ion. on . 4. At the t he time time that tha t we we receive receive our ou r visions , we are not no t yet ye t ready for them th em.. 5. The process proces s of o f vis vis ion (1) (1) devel dev elop opss our o ur character and (2) prod produces uces respo es pons nsiibil bility in us us. 6. God pl p laces us in job jobss tha t hatt wi will prepare prepa re us for our ou r life’s work. 7. The vision God God has h as gi g iven you y ou wil will com co me to pas s . Until Until then th en,, you are to live live by b y faith faith..
Chapt ha pter er Ten
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #7: Set the the Pri oriti ori ties es of Vi sion si on Your ou r life is is the th e sum s um total to tal of the th e deci de ciss ions on s you yo u make ake every ev ery day d ay..
Pri Principle nciple number number seven s even is that, that , if if you want to be s ucces s ful, ul, you yo u mus mus t set s et pri p riori orities ties for yourself you rself in relation relation to t o you y ourr vision. vision . Our Decisions Are Based on Our Priorities Underst nd erstand andiing priori priority ty will hel he lp you y ou accom acco mplis plis h you y ourr dream dream becau be causs e priori priority ty is the th e key key to t o effective decis d ecisiio n-maki n-making ng.. Bot Both h s ucces s ful and uns un s ucces s ful peopl peo plee ali alike mak makee decision decisionss every day that tha t infl influen uence ce thei th eirr chances of achieving achieving thei th eirr vis vis ions on s . Wheth Wh ether er they reali ealize it it or o r not, it it is the t he natur natu re and an d qual q ualiity of the choi cho ices they th ey make make that th at dete d eterrmine their t heir s ucces ucc esss or fai faillure. Life is is fil filled with with alternat alternatiives ; we are a re cons con s tantly tan tly bom b omba barrded de d with choi cho ices, ces , and our o ur preferences preferences reveal who we are and what we value in life. life. In In fact, fact , your yo ur li life is is the th e sum s um tota to tall of the th e decision decisionss you yo u mak makee every day. d ay. You You have hav e becom bec omee what you yo u have hav e deci dec ided for the last fifteen, teen , twenty twenty,, or thir thirty years of your you r life. What Wh at is perhaps p erhaps even ev en more more si s igni gn ifican ficant, t, you yo u can ca n tel t elll the th e kind of li life you y ou’’re goi go ing to have hav e in in the t he future ut ure by the decision decisionss you yo u are mak makiing today. tod ay. In this s ens e, the futur futu re reall really is now no w. Sometim Sometimes es,, we we bel be lieve that th at we can make make bad choices ch oices toda to day y and an d make up for them later ate r on. That Th at thi th inking nking is in error. error. Whate Wh atever ver we are doing d oing now n ow is is our ou r tomorr tomorrow. ow.
This This is why yes y es and no ar a re the mos mos t pow po werf erful words you yo u will ever eve r s ay. ay . God God wants you yo u to t o be b e abl ab le to s ay them t hem with precisi precis ion becau be causs e they th ey wil will dete de term rmiine you y ourr des de s tiny. tiny . You wil will b e bless bles s ed by b y say s ayiing yes ye s to what is in accord acc ordan ance ce with with your yo ur vis vis ion and an d no to anythi any thing ng els els e. Vis ion Focus Focu s es Your ou r Pri Priorities orities In other ot her words, words , if if you want an t to t o fulfi fulfilll your you r dream, dream, you yo u mus t fi your you r eyes on it and not get g et caught caugh t up in anything that won’t won’t take take you y ou ther the re. You You have hav e to know no w how to maneu maneuver ver between the alternati alternatives ves of li life, meaning meaning that t hat you yo u have hav e to t o learn how ho w to priori prioritiz tize. e. When Wh en peo p eople ple don do n ’t suc s uccee ceed d in their th eir visi vis ions on s , it it is is often becaus becau s e they don’t do n’t under und erss tand that tha t priori prioriti tizzing cr c reates us eful limits on thei th eirr choi cho ices. ces . In 1 Cori Corint nthian hianss 6:12, 12, Paul wrot wrote, e, “‘Eve “‘Everyth rythiing is perm pe rmiis s ible for me’—bu e’—butt not n ot ever eve rything yt hing is ben b enefi efici cial al.” .” Even Even thou th ough gh we have hav e permi permis s ion to t o do everythi everyth ing and an d anything any thing we we want want to, t o, “not “no t everyt e verything hing is benefi ben efici cial al”” for us. us . The King King James James Version uses the word “expedient,” which means “appropriate,” “suitabl “s uitable,” e,” or “des irable.” able.” Not Not ever ev eryth ythiing is advan ad vantage tageou ouss to you. yo u. You You have hav e to deter dete rmine what is benefi ben efici cial al,, and you yo u have hav e to define define what is is benefi ben efici cial al bas ed on o n the th e needs need s of your you r vis vis ion. on . The s econd eco nd part of o f 1 Corint orinthians hians 6:12 is a very ve ry power po werful ful s tate ta tem ment: en t: “‘Eve “‘Everyth rythiing is perm pe rmiis s ible for me’—bu me’—butt I wil will not no t be mas maste tered red by b y anyt an ything hing”” (emph (emphas asiis add ad d ed). ed ). The King King James James Version reads read s , “I will not no t be b e brough brou ghtt und u nder er the power p ower of any.” any .” The Greek Greek word word trans t ransllated ate d “po “ power wer”” mean meanss “to cont co ntrol rol.” .” Eve Even n
though thou gh you y ou can do anythi anyth ing in li life, the only only thi th ings that s houl hou ld master as ter you are are the th e thi th ings ng s that tha t wil will take you to your yo ur goal. Just us t because som so mething ething is is a good thing thing does not necessarily mean it is beneficial to you. For example, when you are trav travel eliing alon along g a hi h ighway, gh way, there are dozens of exi exits you yo u might gh t tak ta ke. Is Is there th ere such su ch a thing t hing as a “bad” “b ad” exi exit? No, they’r the y’ree all all good go od,, legitim egitimate routes rou tes . Many Man y of o f them th em lead to t o hel h elpful pful s ervices ervices , s uch as hotels hotels , res restaurants, taurants, or gas s tations tations . There Thereffore, ore, is is there anyth any thiing that th at makes makes an exi exit “bad “b ad”” for you? yo u? Yes Yes—i —iff it does d oes n’t lead to t o you y ourr desi des ired des d esti tination. nation. The s ame ame is is true for the acti act iv ities and an d peo p eople ple in in you y ourr li life. Som Somet ething hing is b enefi en eficial cial if it it relates elates to what you y ou want to accompl accompliis h and an d takes you y ou to your you r goal go al.. As k yourself you rself,, “What “Wh at benefi ben efits ts me? Wha W hatt wil will move ov e me me tow to ward my my goal go al?” ?” Obvi bv ious ou s ly, the fir firs t thi th ing that t hat you y ou would cons ider to be bene be nefi ficial cial is your yo ur relations relations hip with with God. od . If If you yo u want to know no w where you’re you’re supp s uppos osed ed to go in lif life, you have h ave to establ est abliis h a connection wi with the Pers Pers on who gave you y ou the as s ignment, gnment, who created created you y ou.. It’s no wonder on der the Bi Bible ble says s ays the gr g reates t com co mmandm an dmen entt is to love ov e God God firs firstt with with all your yo ur heart, h eart, mi mind, nd , s oul ou l (wi (willl), and s trength treng th.. (See (See Mark 12 12:30.) W hen you yo u do that, th at, He reveals reveals to you yo u the t he ass as s ignm gn ment that you yo u were ere born b orn to fulf ulfill. Once nc e you yo u are a re certain certain of where you are mean meantt to t o go g o in li life and have hav e truly truly com co mmitted tt ed to t o it, then th en a lot of the ex e xtraneous traneo us thi th ings ng s will will fall fall away on o n their th eir o wn. After you captur captu re your yo ur vis vis ion, on , you need to priori prioriti tizze your yo ur life in in keeping with that th at vi v is ion. on . You You have hav e to t o decide d ecide how h ow many many
of the things that tha t you y ou are currently currently inv invol olved ved in ar a re benefi be nefici cial al to your dream. There might not necessarily be anything wrong with them th em.. They jus t may may not n ot be b e ri right gh t for you yo u to be invol invo lved ve d in in bas ba s ed on o n what wha t you y ou need ne ed to t o acco ac com mplis plis h. There The re may may be b e som s omee good go od peopl peo plee in in you y ourr li life who who are “bad” for you yo u becaus b ecaus e they’r th ey’ree distracti dist racting ng you yo u from from goi go ing where you want to go. g o. There may may be s ome ome good go od b ook oo ks in you y ourr hous ho us e that th at are a re wron wrong g for you yo u becau be causs e they th ey take t ake your yo ur foc focus us off y our ou r goal. go al. You mus t com co me to the point p oint where where you focus ocu s on what is neces n ecesss ary ary to t o fulf fulfill your yo ur dream. dream. If If you don’t do n’t do that, that , you won’ on ’t mak makee it it to the end of your yo ur vis vis ion. on . Good oo d versus versu s Bes Bestt The key key is that th at the th e vision vision itsel ts elff decides what is good go od for you. you . You You don’ don ’t jus justt do good goo d thi t hings ngs . You You do things things that are are good go od for your yo ur vis vis ion. on . Mos t of us know no w the dif difference erence between b etween ri right gh t and wrong. on g. Therefore, Therefore, your yo ur greates greates t chal cha llenge eng e is is not no t in in choo ch ooss ing betw bet ween good or bad but between between good and bes t. A visi vision on pr p rotects you y ou from from bei be ing mis gui gu ided by good go od alternat alternatiives ve s . It all allows you y ou to s ay no n o to t o less er oppor oppo rtuni tun ities ties,, even if ther the re are certai certain n benefi b enefits ts to them t hem.. We can s ee a clear clear il illus tration tration of the th e pri p rincipl nciplee of o f priori priorities ties in Jesus’ Jesus ’ reacti reactions ons to the th e choices choices of Martha Martha and Mary Mary of Bethany: As Jesus Jesu s and his disciples disciples were ere on thei the ir way, he came came to a vill village ag e where a woman woman nam na med Martha Marth a open o pened ed her he r home home to t o him. him.
She had a si s is ter call called Mar M ary, y, who who s at at the Lord’s ord’s feet lis teni ten ing to what He sai s aid. d. But But Martha was distracted by all all the preparation prep arationss that th at had h ad to t o be b e mad made. e. She She cam c amee to hi h im and an d as ked, ed , “Lord, “Lord, don’ don ’t you y ou care that my s is ter has left eft me me to do the work by mys elf? elf? Tell Tell her he r to hel he lp me!”(L me!”(Luke uke 10: 10:3 38–40 8–40) Martha had made made a very good, goo d, honorabl hon orablee requ reques est: t: “What “Wh at I’m I’m doi do ing is important po rtant,, and I need hel he lp.” Wha W hatt could co uld be more impor po rtant tan t than th an prepari p reparing ng a meal meal for Jesus Jes us ? Yet Yet lis lis ten to the th e answer of the Lord: “Martha, Martha....You are worried and ups up s et about abo ut many many thi t hing ngss ” (v. (v. 41 41). Jesus Jesu s didn didn’’t say s ay “bad” “bad ” things, things , jus justt “many “many things .” He He conti con tinu nued, ed, “But “But only o nly one thi t hing ng is needed. need ed. Mary has chos cho s en what is is better, bett er, and it wil will not no t be taken away from her” (v. 42). Jesus Jesu s was s aying, in in effect, effect, “You “You’’re doi do ing what is good go od,, Martha, but Mary has s hif hifted into nt o an area of li life that th at I wi wis h everyon everyonee would would go to. Don’t Don’t jus justt do d o good g ood things things . Concent Concentrrate on what is is best.” Martha Martha was was so busy bus y doing good things things that s he didn’t didn’t do the right right thing. thing. When Jesus s aid, aid, “Mary “Mary has chos cho s en what is better, b etter,”” what did He He declare declare was “better”? “b etter”? It was “only “only one o ne thi th ing”—devoti ng”—devot ion to Jesus and His His Word. Thi Thiss princ princiip le appli ap plies es to b oth ot h our o ur relations relations hip to God and an d our o ur fulf ulfillment of what what He has h as given given us to do. do . When you yo u concentrate on one or two two things things , you have h ave chos en the better way to live. ve . You You mus t find find your yo ur calli calling and an d s tay in it. Many peopl peop le have their their own own ideas about abo ut what they want to to do for God, od , and thi th is is why they th ey keep drifti drifting ng off in the t he wrong dir direction ection.. It It is is easy eas y to t o becom b ecomee preoccupi preoccu pied ed in doi do ing things for
God rather athe r than doing d oing what God God has s pecifi pecificall cally told t old us to do. do . In the th e story s tory of Martha Martha and Mary, Mary, nowher nowheree does it say s ay that Jesus was hung h ungrry. It It says s ays just us t that Martha went went about abou t prepari prep aring ng food foo d for Jesus Jes us . God God does do esn’t n’t want us to s tart ta rt anyth any thiing, ng , inc inclludi ud ing doi do ing good go od work works for Hi Him, unti unt il we cons con s ult Him. This This is becaus bec aus e He does do esn’t n’t want us to work work for Hi Him, but with with Him Him in partne pa rtners rship. hip. We W e are a re “God “God’s ’s fell fellow workers workers”” (2 Co rint rinthians hians 6:1) or “work “ workers ers tog to g ethe et herr with with Him Him” (nkj (n kjv). v). Keep Your ou r Eyes Eyes on the th e Mark Jesus Jesu s made it clear clear that Mar M arth thaa mi mis s ed out o ut on “what “what is bett be tter” er” becau bec auss e sh s h e was dwel d wellling on the th e wron wrong g thing t hingss . When Wh en s omeon omeonee sets s ets his his eyes on a goal goa l and never nev er takes them th em off it, he is guaranteed to reach that th at goal go al.. When Wh en I was was in Isr Is rael, ael, the gr g roup ou p I was was traveli traveling with s pent pen t an afternoon afternoo n vi v is iting a kibbut bb utzz. A kibb kibbut utzz is a sel s elff-suff -su ffiicien cientt comm communi un ity. ty . Eve Everyth rythiing the th e peop pe oplle need ne ed to t o live live is found fou nd righ rightt there on the farm farm. As I wal walk ked the t he gr g round ou ndss and s aw the beau be autif tiful ul fi fields where they th ey grow g row their th eir own food, foo d, I noticed no ticed tha t hatt thei th eirr tractors tracto rs and an d com co mbines were very mod modern. ern. Then I saw s aw a littl tt le field field in a vall v alley ey not no t too t oo far from from the th e kibb kibbut utzz. A man was worki orking in the th e fiel field d with with jus t an ox hooked ho oked up u p to t o a pl p low. I was was intrigu ntrigued ed with with the s ight, gh t, and I asked one on e of the men at the kibbutz, “What’s he doing?” He answered, “Well, he’s prepari prep aring ng the th e field field to pl p lant an t seed s eed.. A s a mat matte terr of fact fact,, he’s he ’s planti plant in g seed s eedss now. no w. A s the th e ox makes the t he furr fu rrow, ow, he drops dro ps the th e s eeds into the earth.” I s aid, aid, “He’s “He’s us u s ing an ani an imal, al, and he’ h e’ss
usi us ing an ol o ld, outdat out dated ed pl p low, but bu t his fiel field d is jus justt as perfect perfect as yours yo urs,, and you y ou us e mod modern ern mach machiinery!” The man man told t old me, me, “That guy g uy’’s s ystem ys tem is better bett er than mi mine! Here’ Here’ss how ho w he keeps his furrows furrows completel completely y s traigh traight. t. First First,, at the th e end en d of o f the fiel field, d, he s ets up little sticks sticks and ties ties red or o r whi white te flags flags on them. them. Then he he goes back to the t he oppo o pposs ite end of the fiel field, d, wher wheree he s tarts tarts to plow. He sets se ts his eye e yess on the th e li littl tt le piece of o f cloth at the t he far end of the fiel field d as he con c ontrol trolss the th e mov movem ement entss of the ox o x. If If he di d idn’t dn ’t use us e the th e sti s tick ckss , his his furrows urrows would be crook croo ked.” Then he s aid aid som s ometh ethiing that t hat put p ut the th e who wholle thing into into persp pe rspect ectiive for fo r me: “That “Th at litt littlle stick s tick is called called ‘the ‘th e mark mark.’ .’”” That Tha t term took too k me back two two tho t hous usand and years to t o that th at sam s amee count cou ntrry, to that s ame ame area of Pales Palesti tine, ne, where where Jesus Jesu s had lived, ved , and I underst un derstoo ood d what Jesus Jesu s meant in Luke 9: 9:62: “No “No one on e who puts pu ts his his hand han d to t o the t he pl p low and look oo ks back is is fit for service service in in the t he kingdo ng dom m of God God.” .” When Wh en you y ou s et your yo ur hand to t o the th e plow, plow, you yo u mus t put pu t your yo ur eyes on the mark and not no t loo look k to the left left or to the th e ri right gh t becau be causs e you yo u wil will inevi nev itabl tab ly mov movee tow to ward what whatev ever er you yo u are loo look king at. Do you yo u remem remember ber when you yo u were were learning learning to ride ride a bi b icycl cyc le? You were told told to look oo k straigh straightt ahead ah ead becaus becau s e, wherever wherever you look oo ked, that’s th at’s where you yo u were were goi g oing ng.. If If you look oo ked down, d own, you woul ou ld fall fall dow do wn. Many Man y of o f us have ha ve s et mark markers ers in our ou r lives — our ou r visions —clai —claim ming that th at that t hat is where he re we are are heade hea ded, d, but bu t then th en we keep keep look oo king everywhere ev erywhere excep exceptt at our ou r visions . It It does do esn’t n’t take too long on g bef b efore ore we’r we’ree off course. Ten year y earss later, we sud s udde denly nly reali realizze, “I reall really wanted want ed to t o go g o back b ack to scho s chool. ol. What Wh at happ h appened ened?” ?” If we’d e’d been b een in scho s chool ol in in the t he fir firs t pl p lace, we we
coul cou ld have h ave gr g raduated adu ated in jus jus t four years. We keep taki taking our o ur eyes off the mark, ark, and that tha t is why we end en d up u p in pl p laces where we don d on’’t reall really want to be. We drif drift of o ff course becaus becau s e we all allow ourselves ou rselves to be pull p ulled ed in many many differ different ent direction directionss by all all kinds nd s of dis dis traction tractionss . Again, we we are bus bu s y with a num nu mber of activiti activities es rather than a si s ingl ng le focu focuss ed righ rightt thi th ing to do. d o. In Matt M atthew hew 11 11:30, Jes Jesus us s aid, aid, “My yok yo ke is is easy eas y and an d my my burden bu rden is light.” gh t.” A yoke y oke is is a si s ingl ng le piece of o f wood woo d tha t hatt joins joins two oxen oxen tog t ogethe etherr. It It keeps them at the th e sam s amee pace pac e and in the t he s ame ame pos p os ition. Jesus Jes us als als o s aid, aid, “Com “Comee to me, all all you yo u who are weary and an d burden b urdened, ed, and an d I wi will give you y ou rest. rest . Take Take my my yoke y oke upon up on you yo u and a nd learn from me” (vv. (vv . 28 28–29). –29). W e are to join with with God’s od ’s pl p lan for our ou r li lives and let His His yok yo ke guide g uide us u s . This This means ean s that, that , if if He He tur tu rns, ns , we we tur tu rn; if He He stop s topss , we we stop s top.. We stay s tay with Him at the t he s ame ame pace pa ce and an d in the th e sam s amee pos po s ition. This This is the th e way we hit the mark. Do Wha W hatt You You We Were re Born Born to t o Do Vis ion protects you yo u from from trying trying to do everythi everyth ing. ng . The apos apo s tle tle Paul had a deep love ov e and concern con cern for for the Jews Jews . He He wrot wrotee in Roman Romanss 9:3–4, 3–4, “For I coul cou ld wis wis h that th at I mys mys elf were were cursed curs ed and a nd cut off from Chris hris t for the s ake of my broth b rothers, ers, thos th os e of o f my my ow o wn race, the th e peop p eoplle of Israel.” Israel.” However, However, Paul Paul knew that God hadn’t had n’t call called hi h im to be an a n apos ap ostl tlee to the Jews Jews . They were were his peop p eoplle, he was born b orn from from amon among g them t hem,, and he he was one on e of them, them, yet his purpos p urpos e was was to pr p reach to t o the th e Gentil Gentiles es:: “For this pur pu rpos po s e I was appoi app ointed nted a herald herald and an apos apo s tle—I tle—I am telli telling the th e truth, trut h, I am not no t lying lying—and —and a teach te acher er of the true t rue
faith faith to the th e Gen Gentil tiles es”” (1 Tim Timothy ot hy 2:7). He He knew kne w wha whatt he h e was appoi app oint nted ed for, and he s tayed tay ed in his his vis vis ion. on . Paul’ Paul’ss vision vision was his his motivating otivating force: “I am s o eager to preach the th e gos go s pel als als o to you yo u who are at Ro me” (Rom (Roman anss 1:15). 5). Perhap Perhapss we becom beco me inv invol olved ved in too to o many many things becaus becau s e we’r e’re trying trying to impress God and other oth er peopl peop le by b y s how ho wing them how ho w muc much h we are capa ca pable ble of doi do ing. ng . Yet Yet we mus mus t remem remembe berr that tha t our ou r gifts gifts are the th e key to t o fulf fulfilling our ou r vis vis ions on s . If If we we s pend pe nd time time on thi th ings ng s that th at we’re we’re not n ot as gifted gifted in, we wi will wear ourselves ou rselves dow do wn to the poi po int that, that , when when we com co me back b ack to our o ur gif gifts, ts , we we are too to o tired tired to t o us u s e them th em effect effectiivel ve ly. Jesus Jes us Hims elf elf was was born bo rn to do one on e mai main n thing. t hing. He knew knew why He was manifes anifested ted,, and He kept His eyes ey es completel completely y fix fixed on His vision. He came came to tes tify tify to t o the t he truth t ruth of God God’s ’s king kingdo dom m and His His plan of rede redem mpti pt ion for hum hu mankind ankind and an d to t o di d ie on the th e cros crosss to accompl accompliis h that t hat redemption. edemption. At one on e poi po int, one on e of Jesus Jesu s ’ clos clos est es t fri friends end s tried tried to t o tal t alk k Him out ou t of o f His His vision. vision . Pete Peterr s aid, aid, in in es s ence, enc e, “Master, “Mas ter, You You’r ’ree talk talking about abo ut how ho w You You’’re goi go ing to die and how ho w they’re they’re goi g oing ng to des de s troy You. ou . Li Lis ten, te n, I’m Your ou r fri frien end, d, s o let me tell t ell You s omething: omething: ‘Thi ‘Thiss s hall hall never nev er happen happ en to t o you y ou!!’ ((Matt Matthew hew 16:22).” In other words, Peter was saying, “I don’t want my Fri Friend en d to die. If any an y man atte at tem mpts pt s to atta at tack ck Hi Him, he wil will first first have hav e to go g o thr th rough ou gh me!” me!” Thos e sou s ound nd lik like the words of o f a true friend, end , don’t they? th ey? Peter was wasn’t n’t sayi s aying ng anything any thing bad, b ad, but it wasn’t as n’t ri right gh t bas ed on o n Jesus Jes us’’ vision vision.. Even Even your yo ur fr friends end s can be be dangerous dan gerous when they distract you yo u from from your yo ur dream dream.. We have hav e
to reali ealize that th at our o ur enemy enemy wil will try to us e thos th os e nearest neares t to us to divert divert us from the right gh t path. p ath. Jesus Jes us rebuk ebu ked the t he real threat that th at was behind be hind Peter’s s tatem tat ement ent when he n He sai s aid, d, “Get “Get beh b ehiind me, Satan!” Satan !” (v. 23). 23). Li Likewis ewis e, we mus mus t recogn recog n ize the t he enem en emy’s y’s tactics tactics when he work workss through thos th osee clos closest est to t o us . Vision Disciplines Your Choices Vis ion is the key to an eff effective ective life becaus be caus e when you y ou s ee your yo ur des tination, it it hel h elps ps you yo u to disci disc ipline pline you y ourr life in ways that train, train, prepare, and pr p rovi ov ide for your yo ur vis vis ion. on . Prov Prover erbs bs 29:18 is often quo q uoted ted but bu t not n ot fully ully und u nder erss tood: too d: “Whe “W here re there th ere is is no vision, vision , the th e people peo ple peris peris h” (kj (kjv). The word in the th e Heb Hebrew rew for “peri “pe riss h” mean meanss “to throw th row off cons co ns traint traintss .” If If you yo u don’t do n’t have vi v is ion, on , then there are are no real restrai es traints nts in your yo ur life. Yet, when you y ou have hav e vision, you yo u are able to s ay no n o with with dignity. The New Internati Internat ional on al Version Version reads, reads , “Where “Wh ere there th ere is is no revelation evelation,, the people peo ple cast of o ff restrai es traint nt.” .” The The us u s e of the words “revelati “revelation on”” and “restraint” “restraint” is very si s igni gn ificant becaus becau s e the verse may be b e interpreted interpreted as meaning, “Wher “Wh eree ther th eree is is no vision, the t he people peo ple throw th row off s elfelf-con control trol.” .” You You wil will never neve r be disci disc ipline plined d in you y ourr li life until un til you yo u hav h avee real vision. How disciplined is your own life in relation to your dream? Ask As k yourself yourself questi ques tions ons such su ch as these: What Wh at am I using my my ener en ergi gies es on? on ? What Wh at are you putt pu ttiin g you y ourr heart he art and an d sou s oull into? nt o? Is it worth it, bas ba s ed on o n you y ourr purpo pu rposs e?
W here am a m I inv inves esting ting my money on ey?? You Yourr vision dictates dictates where here you yo u put p ut your y our reso resourc urces es.. Are Are you yo u buy bu y ing thi th ings ng s that th at are a re more more expe expens ns ive tha t han n you y ou can aff afford and that you yo u don’t do n’t need? Are Are you s o much in debt de bt that t hat you y ou can’t channel chan nel your yo ur mon money ey towar to ward d fulfi fulfillling the th e vi v is ion in your yo ur heart? h eart? W hat movi ov ies and an d tel t elev eviis ion program prog ramss am I watchi atch ing? ng ? If you yo u know where where you yo u ar a re goi go ing, ng , you will choos cho os e to watch things that are rel related ated to your you r vis vis ion becaus e you want to t o inves inves t that th at tim time in your future. What Wh at boo b ook ks am I reading? reading? Is what you’r yo u’ree reading reading hel he lping or hi h inderi nd ering ng you? yo u? For exam example, ple, if if all all you’r yo u’ree reading is romanc romancee nov n ovel elss , you are li living in a fantasy fantas y and an d not n ot you y ourr true dream. dream. You You coul cou ld be be reading som s omething ething that th at helps you y ou in the know no wledge edg e or o r skil skills you yo u need n eed to fulfi fulfilll your yo ur vision. What Wh at hobbie ho bbiess am I purs purs uing? uing? You can choos cho osee to play gam g ames es that th at prepa p repare re you for what you y ou were were born bo rn to do. d o. W hat am I taki taking into nt o my my bod b ody? y? There are talented, talente d, gifted gifted people peo ple who who are dying prem p rematu aturel rely y becau be causs e they th ey con c onss is tent te ntlly eat ea t food foo d tha t hatt is is n’t goo g ood d for them. If you’re you’re goi go ing to make ake it it to the end of your you r vision, you yo u mus mus t tak ta ke care of your yo ur health. You Your r
vision may may take twenty years ye ars to t o be b e fulf fulfilled, so so you yo u need n eed to t o s tart eating eating right gh t and an d tak t akiing vitami vitamins now. no w. If you yo u neglect n eglect you y ourr health, you yo u wil will be more s uscepti us ceptibl blee to s icknes cknesss , and by b y the t he ti t ime you yo u are are hal ha lfway fway to t o you y ourr vision, you yo u may may be b e too to o ill ill to com co mplete it (or no longer on ger here) h ere).. What Wh at am I ri ris king? ng ? Ar A re you yo u abus abu s ing alcoh alcohol, ol, drugs drug s , or sex s ex?? If If s o, they the y could co uld easi eas ily sho s hortrt-ci circui rcuitt your yo ur vi v is ion. on . For For exam example, ple, if if you are a you y oung ng woman oman who is being being press ured into into havi hav ing premari premarita tall s ex, ex, thi th ink about abo ut how ho w that th at mi might gh t affect the fulfillment of your life’s dream. Will it be easier to fulfi ulfill your yo ur goal if if you have hav e a baby b aby out ou t of o f wedlock or are infected with a sexually transmitted dis dis ease? If a young you ng man man star s tarts ts to touch to uch you y ou inappropriately, tell him, “You are interfering with my future. futu re. Take Take me me hom h omee rig rig ht now. no w.”” You You mus t prote pro tect ct you y ourr visi vis ion. on . W hat is my attitud at titudee towar to ward d lif life? If you yo u know where you’ you ’re goi go ing, ng , you can ca n keep your yo ur attitud attitudee pos po s itive. When Wh en thing t hingss go wron wrong, g, you yo u can ca n say s ay,, “That’s “Tha t’s ok o kay. This is only o nly tempo temporar rary. y. I know no w where my my tr t rue des d estination tination is is .” Pau Paull s aid aid we shou sh oulld dis dis cipli cipline ne our o ur thoug tho ughts hts to think about abo ut what will bui bu ild us u s up: up : “W “Wha hate teve verr is true, true , whatev what ever er is is noble, no ble, whatever whatev er is is righ right, t, wha whatev tever er is is pure, pu re, whatever whatev er is is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excell excellen entt or prais prais eworthy—think eworthy —think about abo ut s uch
thi th in gs ” (Phil (Philippi pp ians an s 4:8). 8). Choos ho osee to live well ell. Ass As s ociate ociate with with peopl peo plee and an d be b e inv involved olved in thi th ings ng s that are are condu con duci cive ve to your yo ur dream dream.. “I Am A m Carry arry ing on a Great Great Project Project”” Nehemi Nehemiah mad madee a sta s tate tem ment en t that th at I believ believee everyo ev eryone ne with with vis vis ion s hould ho uld learn learn to mak make. e. It’s It’s one o ne of o f the greatest greates t statem s tatement entss of priori priority ty that th at I have hav e ever ev er read read,, eith either er in in the t he Bible, his his tory, to ry, or anyw any where els els e. Nehem Nehemiiah was at a place place where he had s tarted to rebui rebu ild the th e wal walll. He had ha d mot motiivated vat ed the t he peop p eoplle by giving giving them th em a renewed renewed purpos p urpos e, he was able able to comm communi un icate to them the neces s ity of doing thi t hiss great project, project, and they were ere work working hard at it. Yet, Yet, in Nehemi Nehemiah 6:1, he was confr con fron onted ted by three th ree men who wanted an ted to prevent preve nt his vision from from being fulfi fulfillled. ed . Sanbal Sanba llat, Tobi Tob iah, and an d Geshe es hem m were were prof p rofes esss ional on al dis dis tracters. tracters . In In ehem eh emiiah 6:2 6:2, Neh Nehem emiiah s aid, “Sanba “San balllat and an d Geshe es hem m s ent en t me me thi th is mess es s age: ag e: ‘Com ‘Come, e, let let us u s meet toge to geth ther er in in one o ne of the th e vill villages age s on the th e pl p lain ain of Ono.’ But But they th ey were sche s chem ming to harm me.” Ono s eems eems like the t he perfect nam n amee for thi th is s ituation. tu ation. I im imagine tha t hat’s t’s exactly what Nehemiah was thinking: “Oh, no.” These men were ere saying, s aying, “Let’s “Let’s meet meet and an d di d is cus s what you’r yo u’ree doi do ing,” ng ,” when, he n, in in reali reality, ty , they wanted an ted to have hav e a cou c ouncil ncil with with him in order to trap hi h im and s top the work. ork. In verse three, Nehem Nehemiiah s aid, aid, “So I sent sen t mes messs enger eng erss to them th em with thi th is reply: reply: ‘I ‘I am carrying carrying on a great g reat proj p roject ect and cannot cann ot go g o down. d own. Why s houl ho uld d the th e work work s top while hile I leave leave it and go down do wn to you y ou?’” ?’” Nehe Nehem miah was s aying, aying , “Loo “Look k, if if I do
what ha t you y ou want me me to do, do , I wil will be distracted dist racted from from what I have ha ve purpo pu rposs ed to t o do.” d o.” He refus refus ed to t o com co me down do wn from from the th e wall wall, and his enem e nemiies were were thwar th warted ted.. That’s what ha t I call a man man who had h ad his pr p riorities orities set. s et. Make Ma ke Yo Yo u r Li Life Coun Cou n t If you yo u are afrai afraid d to take decisive acti act ion to mov movee tow to ward your yo ur vision, cons co ns ider de r this this : It is is better bet ter to make a decision that th at wil will prove pro ve to t o be b e wron wrong, g, but bu t which you yo u can ca n learn from from,, than th an not n ot to make any decision d ecision at all all and never ne ver learn learn anyt an ything. hing. Someon Someonee has s aid, aid, “I’ “I’d rather try and fail ail than tha n never n ever try and never nev er kno know w I coul cou ld s ucceed.” ucceed .” Peop Peoplle who who s ucceed try. Peop Peoplle who who don’t do n’t try try have no chance of s uccess. uccess . Your ou r des tination tination is is s o per p erffect for you yo u that th at God God does do esn’t n’t want want you to end en d up u p anywher an ywheree els els e. He He wants wants you to find your you r vis vis ion and pur pu rpos e and stay s tay focus focus ed on it. If you have h ave gotten got ten off track in life, life, it does d oes n’t matt matter er how youn yo ung g or o r old old you y ou are: Refocus efocu s on your yo ur vis vis ion and make decis decis ions on s that th at wil will lead you y ou there. th ere. Say to God, od , “I know no w I haven’t hav en’t made made the th e bes be s t us u s e of my my time, time, gifts gifts,, and resou res ourrces in the t he pas p ast, t, but bu t I’m I’m goi go ing to make the rest of my life count.” A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion Write out priorities in each area of your life in relati elation on to your yo ur vis vis ion. on . What Wh at thi th ings ng s do you yo u need n eed to t o elim eliminate from your yo ur life in in order o rder to focus focu s on your yo ur dream? dream?
Write Write out ou t you y ourr ans wers to the th e dis dis cipli cipline ne ques tions tions on pages p ages 145–46 –46. Add any an y other ot her categories categories that apply. apply.
Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. If you want to be su ccess ful, ul, you mus mustt set s et prio prio rities rities for yours yo urself elf in relat relatiion to your yo ur visi vis io n. 2. Unders Und ersta tand ndiing pri p riori ority ty wil will hel he lp you yo u accom acco mplis plis h your yo ur dream becau be causs e priori priority ty is the t he key to effect effectiive decision-making. 3. You can tel t elll the th e ki kind of li life you’r you ’ree goi go ing to have hav e in the t he futur futu re by the decision decisionss you yo u are mak makiing today. 4. Yes and no ar a re the mos mos t power po werful ful words words you yo u wil will ever s ay. God God wants you to be abl ab le to s ay them with with precis precis ion becau be causs e they th ey wil will determ de termiine you y our r destiny. 5. When Wh en peopl peo plee don’ don ’t succeed s ucceed in their their vis vis ions on s , it is is often often because becaus e they don’ d on’tt under und erstand stand that prio prio ritiz ritiziing creates creat es us eful limits on their th eir choices ch oices . 6. You have h ave to t o determ de termiine what is bene be nefi fici cial al,, and an d you yo u have hav e to define define what is is benefi ben efici cial al bas ed on o n the th e needs of your vis vis ion. 7. The only only thing thingss that th at shou sh oulld mas master ter you yo u are are the
things that tha t wil will take you to your yo ur goal. 8. Once you are a re certain certain of where he re you yo u are meant ean t to go in life and have truly committed to it, then many extran extraneo eous us thi th ings ng s in you y ourr li life wi will fall fall away on on thei th eirr own. 9. The vis vis ion its itsel elff decides what is is goo g ood d for you. yo u. You don’t d on’t jus justt do good goo d thi th ings . You You do d o thi th ings that are are good go od for your you r vision vision.. 10. Your ou r greates greate s t chall challenge en ge is is not no t in in choos choo s ing between be tween goo go o d or o r bad ba d but b ut between be tween good go od and an d bes b est. t. 11. W e end up where we we don’t don ’t reall really wan wantt to be when we take our ou r eyes off the mark. ark. 12. Vis ion protect prot ectss you y ou from from trying trying to do d o everything. everyt hing. 13. When Wh en you see s ee your desti des tinati nation, on, it it helps helps you y ou to disci disc ipline pline your yo ur li life in in ways that th at trai t rain, n, prepare, prep are, and provide pro vide for your yo ur visi vis ion. on . 14. 14. You wil will neve ne verr be di d is cipli ciplined ne d in your yo ur li life until un til y ou have real vision.
Chapt ha pter er El Eleven ev en
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #8: Recogn ecog ni ze Peop Peo pl e’s
Influence on Vision When Wh en you yo u begin b egin to act on o n your yo ur vis vis ion, on , it wil will s tir tir up both bo th tho t hoss e who want to help help you yo u and thos e who who want to hinder you. you .
Pri Principle nciple num n umbe berr eigh eightt is that th at we mus mus t recogn reco gniize peop p eoplle’s influen nfluence ce on o n our o ur vis vis ions on s . We need n eed other oth er peopl peop le if if we we are goi go ing to be s ucces ucc esss ful in life life becaus becau s e, as I emph emphas asiized earli earlier, we were not no t created create d to t o fulfi fulfill our ou r vis vis ions on s alon alone. e. As a matt matter er of fact fact,, God s peci pe cifi ficall cally y s aid aid abo a bout ut His first first hum hu man creation creation,, “It “It is not no t good go od for the th e man man to t o be b e alone” (Gene (Geness is 2:18). W e need ne ed peo p eople ple to make it it in life. life. Again, Ag ain, ind indiividual vidu al purpo pu rposs e is alway alwayss fulfi fulfillled withi th in a larger larger or o r corporate purpos pu rpos e. Therefore, Therefore, it’s it’s important po rtant that th at we work with with othe ot hers rs in maki making ng our ou r vis vis ions on s a reali reality. ty . Remem emembe berr that Nehemi Nehemiah reported, reported , “Then I sai s aid d to [the Jews Jews , pries priests ts,, nobl nob les, es , offi official cialss , and an d oth o thers], ers], ‘You ‘You s ee the th e trouble trou ble we we are in: in: Jerus Jerusal alem em lies in ruins, ruins , and its gates gat es have hav e been be en burn b urned ed with with fire. fire. Come, ome, let let us u s rebui rebu ild the t he wall of Jerusalem Jerus alem,, and we wi will no longe on gerr be in di d is grace’” grac e’” (Neh (Nehem emiiah 2:17, emph emphas asiis added). add ed). Nehe Nehem miah was the th e one o ne who had h ad received eceived the vi v is ion, but he had h ad to go to other o ther people people to help help
him him get it done. don e. For For any vi v is ion that you yo u have, h ave, God God has peopl peo plee prepared prep ared to t o work with with y ou, ou , and an d the t hey y wil will be a bl b less es s ing to you. yo u. There wil will always always be a need n eed for pos itive peop p eoplle in you y ourr li life. When Wh en I went went to col co llege, eg e, I had a dream to get my deg d egree, ree, and there wer weree people peo ple who who alr already had been s et apart ap art to hel h elp p me me get throug th rough h it. Some Some of o f them the m helped me acad a cadem emiically, cally, oth o thers ers fina financ nciially, ally, oth o thers ers with with enco en courag uragem emen entt in my my s piri piritual tu al walk walk.. When Wh en you y ou have ha ve a dream d ream,, that’s that ’s the t he way it work workss . Peop Peoplle wil will always always be the t here, re, waiting aiting to hel he lp you y ou.. Therefore, if you yo u hav h avee no dream, dream, or if if you do d o not n ot begi beg in to t o act on it, the peop p eoplle who are s uppos upp osed ed to help help you y ou won’t know know wher wheree to find you. you . The pri p rinc nciiple of infl influe uence nce has a twofold appli ap plication cation,, however, however, because peopl peop le can have h ave a negati n egative ve effect effect on us as well ell as a pos po s itive tive one. o ne. When Wh en you yo u begi beg in to act on your yo ur vis vis ion, on , it will s tir tir up both bo th thos t hos e who who want to help help you y ou and thos e who want to hinder hinder you. you . The Law Law of Ass As s ociation ociation The law law of ass ociati ociation on s tates that you yo u becom b ecomee li like thos tho s e with whom ho m you yo u s pend pen d ti t ime. We of o ften underest un derestiimate others o thers’’ influen nfluence ce in in our o ur li lives . There There are two words words that th at mos mos t accurately acc urately describe influence: powerful and subtle. Often, you don’t know you’r yo u’ree bei be ing influen nfluenced ced until un til it is too t oo late. Whe W heth ther er you reali realize it or o r not, how ho wever, the infl influen uence ce of o f thos e you yo u s pend pen d ti t ime with with has a power po werful ful effect effect on how ho w you will end up in life, life, on whether wheth er you yo u wil will s uccee uc ceed d or o r ffail ail.. What Wh at we call peer pe er press ure is is s imply thi th is : peop pe oplle with with whom ho m
we ass as s ociate exerci exerciss ing thei th eirr influe nfluence nce on us , trying trying to t o di d irect our li lives in the th e way way they th ey want them to go. g o. We s houl hou ld s top tell telling young you ng people that th ey alone alone have peer press press ure. ure. Adul Ad ults ts have hav e it, it, too. They find find it hard to disregard other peop pe oplle’s op o p inions nion s . There The re are are peop pe oplle who are si s ixty, ty , seve se vent nty, y, and eigh eighty ty years y ears ol o ld who gi g ive in in to t o peer p eer pres presss ure; alm almost os t everyone everyon e is is aff affected by it. You mus t be b e caref ca reful ul who whom m you yo u all allow to influe nfluence nce you yo u becau be causs e your yo ur visi vis ion wil will be ei e ither th er encourag enco uraged ed or o r des de s troyed troy ed by by others ot hers.. There There are two two kind kindss of people peo ple in in this t his world: world: thos tho s e who who are are wi with you y ou and an d thos th osee who who are are against you. yo u. I have hav e learned learned that peopl peo plee have hav e the pote p otential ntial to create your yo ur envir environm on ment. ent . Your ou r envi env ironm on ment en t then th en determ d etermiines your yo ur mi mind-set nd -set,, and an d you y our r mindnd -s et deter det erm mines your yo ur future. Theref Therefore, ore, you mus t choos cho osee your yo ur fr friends end s wis ely, ely, sel s electi ecting ng thos tho s e who who are are wi with you y ou and not no t against you. yo u. Show me me your yo ur fr friends end s , and I’ll s how ho w you your yo ur future. Ques tion tionss of Infl Influen uence ce You s hould ho uld gener gen eral allly choo ch ooss e fri friends end s who are are goi go ing in the t he s ame ame directi direction on you yo u are and who want to t o obtain o btain the s ame ame thi th ings ng s you yo u do, do , so you y ou can reinfor reinforce ce one on e another. ano ther. In li light gh t of this this truth, I want you yo u to ask as k yourself yo urself three ques qu esti tion onss . Fi Firs t, “With “With whom am I spend sp endiing tim time?” Who W ho are your you r clos clos est es t fri friends end s ; who are are the peopl peo plee you yo u are conf con fiding ding in? Second, “What “Wh at are thes the s e peopl peop le doing to me?” me?” In In other ot her words, ords , what what do d o they t hey have hav e you yo u li lis tening to, to , reading, reading, thinki thinking ng,,
doing? doing? Wher Wh eree do they th ey have you going? going? What W hat do they have you s aying? aying? How do they t hey have h ave you feeli eeling? What W hat do they have hav e you yo u settli s ettling ng for? That That last one o ne is is an im impor po rtant one, on e, becau be causs e your yo ur fri frien ends ds can make you yo u com co mfortabl fortab le in in you y ourr mis ery. Mos t im impor po rtant, tant , what is being arou around nd thes t hes e peopl peop le causi caus ing you yo u to t o beco b ecom me? Solomon Solomon s aid, aid, “He who who walk walks with with the th e wis wis e grows wis e, but bu t a com c ompan paniion of foo foolls s uffers uffers harm h arm”” (Proverbs (Proverbs 13:20). Th Th e New Ki King James James Versi ers ion reads , “The com co mpan pa n ion of fools will be destroyed.” My version of this maxim is, “If you want to t o be b e a s uccess ucces s , don’t keep keep company company with thos e who who aren’t going g oing anywhere an ywhere in life. life.”” For exam example, ple, if if you ass as s ociate with with peop pe oplle who s pend pe nd more money on ey than t han they make, ake, the chances ch ances are high high that you yo u also will s pend pen d more more than you yo u mak make. e. A fri friend may s ay, “That new dress came came in, in, and that’ that ’s the latest ates t style. s tyle. You s houl ho uld d get g et it,” it,” when when you yo u know you can’t ca n’t aff afford it. it. When s he s ays, ays , “I have hav e mi mine; do you yo u have ha ve yours yo urs yet?” y et?” you y ou reall really feel press ured. Another Ano ther fr friend may s ay, ay , “I traded my car c ar in in for a brand new ne w one. on e. You You s hould ho uld do the s ame ame thi th ing. ng . You You have hav e to look oo k ri right, gh t, you yo u know.” know.” The result es ult is is that tha t you y ou’’re kno knock cked ed righ rightt of o ff your goal go alss —your —you r paym pa ymen ents ts are so s o hi h igh that th at you y ou can’t can ’t sav s avee mon money ey any a nym more. Don’ on ’t let anyone anyo ne throw t hrow you off cour cou rs e any longer. on ger. Decide ecide for yourself yo urself,, “What “Wh at are my my goal go alss and pl p lans?” ans ?” and don’t do n’t let let others ot hers influen nfluence ce you yo u to deny den y them th em.. Third, Third, ask as k yours yo ursel elff, “Is “Is what ha t oth o ther er peopl peop le are doi do ing to me a good go od thing in rel relati ation on to my vi v is ion?” on ?” When W hen you yo u s tart tell telling peop pe oplle where you’re yo u’re goi go ing to go and an d what wha t you y ou’r ’ree goi go ing to do, do , they may may (even uncons uncon s cious cious ly) begin begin to s ay thi th ings to try to
hinder you y ourr dream. dream. You need to ask as k and ans an s wer these thes e three questi ques tions ons for yourself yo urself truthfull truthfully—and regul egu larly—as arly—as you yo u progress toward toward your yo ur vis vis ion. on . Vis ion W akes akes Up Opp Oppos os ition Nehemi Nehemiah 4:1 4:1 s ays ay s , “W “Whe hen n Sanba San balllat heard h eard tha t hatt we were were rebuilding rebuilding the t he wall all, he becam b ecamee angry an gry and an d was greatly incens ncen s ed.” Peop Peoplle of vis vis ion have h ave found foun d that th at the th e mi minute nu te they th ey decide de cide to t o fulfi fulfilll their th eir dream drea ms , all all their th eir enem en emiies s eem to wake wake up u p. Again, as long as you’ you ’re not doi do ing anythi any thing ng about abo ut your yo ur vis vis ion, on , no one o ne wil will bother bo ther you. yo u. If you yo u s tart to move ov e tow to ward your yo ur vis vis ion, on , however, however, oppos oppo s ition tion ari aris es. es . For exam exampl ple, e, supp su ppos osee you yo u have h ave been b een a s ecretary ecretary for twenty twenty years, and everybod ev erybody y thi th inks you’r yo u’ree content cont ent in your job job.. One day you y ou decide, “I’ “I’m goi go ing back to scho s chool ol.” .” When you y our r friends end s ask as k you yo u why, hy , you s ay, “I’m “I’m goi go ing to get a mas master’ ter’ss degr deg ree in in com co mputer pu ter science science becaus b ecaus e I want to t o head he ad a compu computer ter compan company y s omeday omeday.” .” Sud Sudden denlly, your yo ur fr friends end s s eem to becom beco me your yo ur enemi enemies. es . They They ask as k, “Who do you yo u thi th ink you ar a re?” or “Do “Do you yo u know how ho w old you yo u are?” or o r “Do you yo u reali realize your yo ur brain brain can’t handl han dlee stud s tudying ying anym any more?” or “Who do you yo u thi th ink wi will beco be com me your yo ur cli clients en ts ?” By By the t he ti t ime they th ey finis finish, h, you yo u feel like s ettling ettling dow do wn and an d becom b ecomiing a secretar s ecretary y agai ag ain. n. It is an inter nte resti es ting ng pheno ph enom menon eno n that certain certain peopl peo plee wil will beco be com me angry an gry when whe n you y ou s tep te p ou o u t and an d sta s tart rt to do d o som s omet ething hing that they th ey have never n ever done. don e. Friends and as s ociates ociates don’ don ’t want want
you to br b reak out of your situati situation on becaus b ecausee they don’ don ’t want want you to leave leave them th em behind. behind. You You need to t o get g et us ed to the idea that peopl peo plee may may gos g osss ip abou ab outt you yo u and an d treat you yo u with with mal maliice becau be causs e of your yo ur visi vis ion. on . It’s all part pa rt of the proces p roces s ! It is is often ofte n proof pro of that th at you y ou’r ’ree reall really doing d oing s omet omething hing with with your yo ur li life. Napol Napo leon eo n Hil Hill wro wro te a great g reat boo b ook k called called Thi Th ink and Grow Rich. From the th e ti t itle, som so me peop p eoplle mi might gh t not n ot thi th ink thi th is is an appr app ropr op riate book bo ok for for believers believers to read, but bu t it actual actu allly contai con tains ns many an y of o f the princ princiiples of the th e Word W ord o f Go Go d. Hil Hill made ad e a s tatem tat emen entt that th at has h as reall really stu s tuck ck with with me: me: The majori ajority ty of peop p eoplle perm p ermiit relatives elatives,, fri friends end s , and the th e publi pu blicc at large to s o influe influenc ncee them th em that th at the t hey y can ca n not no t li live the t heiir own lives lives , becaus becau s e they th ey fear critici criticiss m.... ....C Count ou ntlless es s num nu mbers be rs of o f men and a nd women, omen, both bo th youn yo ung g and an d ol o ld, permi permit relatives relatives to wreck thei th eirr li lives in the t he name name of o f duty, dut y, becau be causs e they th ey fear critici criticiss m.* That is a power p owerfful statem st atement ent.. Sad Sad to s ay, som s ometi etim mes the peop pe oplle who are the th e mos mos t det d etri rim menta en tall to the th e fulfi fulfilllment en t of o f your yo ur v is io n are mem memb b ers o f you yo u r own fami family . Some Some fami family memb emb ers may be b e extrem extremel ely y s uppo up porti rtive, ve, but bu t oth o thers ers may may not n ot be. This is becau be causs e they th ey hav h avee li lived ve d with with you yo u for suc s uch h a long lon g ti t ime that th at they think think they know know who who you are, are, so they try try to talk talk you out of all all your you r dreams dreams . You Yourr mot mother her may may s ay, ay , “You “You’d ’d bett b etter er stay s tay at your yo ur job job.. It’s It’s s ecure, and it has benef ben efiits.” ts .” You Yourr cous in may may s ay, “What “Wh at are you leaving leaving you y ourr job for? That’s That’s good go od mon money.” ey.” Thes e are form formss of attack atta ckss on your yo ur vis vis ion, on , even if they th ey are a re wel welllintent nt entiioned. on ed. By By the th e ti t ime you y ourr fam famiily has ha s finish finished ed telli telling you yo u all all the reason reas onss you yo u sho s houl uldn dn’’t foll follow your dreams dreams , you yo u want to
give give up u p on o n them t hem.. In In you y ourr heart, heart, however, you yo u s til till have hav e the th e des ire to fulfi fulfill them th em,, so you y ou end up frus frus trated and an d suff s ufferi ering ng from things things s uch as high high blood blood pres pres s ure. ure. The pote po tent ntiial fo fo r negat neg atiive influe nfluenc nces es from from fami family memb emb ers in regard to vis vis ion is probabl probab ly the th e reason reaso n why the th e Lord Lord told Abr Ab raham, aham, “Leave “Leave your yo ur country, cou ntry, your you r peopl peop le and an d your yo ur fathe fatherr’s hous ho us ehold eh old and go to the th e land land I wil will s how ho w you” yo u” (Gene (Geness is 12:1). The Scri Scriptur ptu re does do esn’t n’t say s ay that th at Abraham A braham’’s wife was was present presen t at the th e time, time, which which was probably prob ably a goo g ood d thing. t hing. Rem Remem ember ber that, th at, later on, on , Sarah Sarah lau laugh ghed ed with unbeli un belief ef when when God s aid aid s he would have hav e a chil c hild. d. (See (See Gen Genes esiis 18:1–15.) –15.) Josep Jos eph h al a ls o had h ad to leave eav e his fami family before he h e could co uld beco b ecom me what was ess es s enti ent iall ally prim prime ministe nis terr of Egy Egypt pt.. Sometimes, we need to pull away from the influence of even thos th os e we lov lovee if if we’r we’ree going g oing to t o follow follow our ou r God God-gi -give ven n vi v is ions on s . Many peopl p eoplee want want you yo u to be b e what what they want you yo u to be, not what you yo u were were bor bo rn to be, and often they th ey end en d up u p lim limiting ting you. yo u. For exam examp p le, a fam fa mily ily memb emb er may may s ay, ay , “I kn kn o w you yo u —you —yo u ’re ’re ust us t li like your yo ur mother. mother. She never had any bus iness nes s s ense. ens e. What do you y ou mean you’r yo u’ree going to open o pen a s tore?” tore?” When you s tep outs out s ide what what other oth erss expect expect you to be, they begin be gin to s ee you y ou as a probl prob lem. em. However, Howeve r, peop pe oplle who chan ch ange ge the world orld have hav e decl d eclared ared ind indepen ependen dence ce from from other oth er peopl peop le’s expec expectat tatiions on s . That That’s ’s what makes makes them t hem s ucces uc cesss ful. ful. Even ve n if if peop pe oplle li lie abo ab o ut you yo u or o r s tart ta rt rum rumors ors abou ab outt you y ou,, keep keep you yo u r eyes ey es on the th e mark mark,, continue con tinue worki orking, ng , and keep on bui bu ilding. You Your r pas pa s s ion h as to be more more powerf p owerfu u l than th an the t he opp o ppos os ition of o f thos th os e
arou around nd you. yo u. You You must us t be b e clear clear about what you’r yo u’ree goi go ing to do do and persevere perse vere in in doi d oing ng it. Nehemi Nehemiah faced face d this t his very v ery si s ituat tu atiion. on . In In Nehem Nehe miah 4:2, 4:2, we read, And in the th e presence of his his ass ociates ociates and the th e arm army of Samari Samaria, a, [Sanba [Sanballlat] sai s aid, d, “What “W hat are thos tho s e feeble Jews Jews doi do ing? ng ? W ill they th ey resto res tore re their th eir wall wall? W Wiill they th ey offer sacri sa crifi fices ces ? Wi W ill they th ey finis nis h in a day? day ? Can Can they t hey bring bring the s tones ton es back to lif life from from thos e heaps of rubbl ubb le?” Look oo k at the th e ques qu esti tion onss Sanball Sanballat was as king. ng . When peop p eoplle are are angry, they as k ques qu esti tion onss to t o discourage disco urage you. you . Verse thr th ree s ays , “Tob “Tobiiah the t he Am A mmoni on ite, who who was at hi h is s ide, sai s aid, d, ‘Wh ‘What at they are building—if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down do wn their th eir wall wall of sto s tone ness !’” !’” In othe ot herr words, words , “Don’t “Don ’t worry orry abo a bout ut them th em.. This This is n’t going g oing to work. ork. It It wil will s oon oo n com c omee to noth n othiing.” ng .” Have Have you y ou ever e ver heard heard that th at before? “Oh, “Oh, don’ don ’t worry orry abou ab outt that th at new n ew busi bus ines s . It It wil will last as t onl o nly y a coupl cou plee of month on thss before it it folds folds .” That atti att itude tu de is what I call call the th e “Tobi “Tob iah Syndrome.” Syndrome.” When s omeon omeonee says s ays s omething omething li like that to you y ou,, us t keep mov moviing forwar forward d with with your yo ur vision. The reaso reason n s ome ome peopl peop le may may begi b egin n to hate you y ou when you pursu pu rsuee your yo ur visi vis ion is that th at you y ou are expo exposs ing their th eir own lack o f vision. There are toxic people in the world, and they will pollute your yo ur whole li life if if you let them th em.. They will tell you yo u thi th ings ng s s uch as the foll ollowing owing:: “You “You can’t do that.” that .” “You “You don’t do n’t have hav e enou en ough gh educat edu catiion.” on .” “You “You’r ’ree too to o you y oung ng.” .” “You “You’r ’ree too to o ol o ld.” “You “You don’t do n’t
have hav e the th e ri right gh t back bac kground.” groun d.” “You “You don’t do n’t have hav e the right gh t connect con nectiions on s .” They continual co ntinuallly talk in thi th is way. My respon resp onss e to s uch uc h peo p eople ple is is thi th is (ess enti ent iall ally): “Leav “Leavee me me alone. I was was born bo rn int into o my my fami family, and an d I didn didn’t ’t choos cho os e my my broth b rothers ers and a nd s is ters. ters . Howeve However, r, I can cho c hoos os e my my fri friends end s .” In addr add ress es s ing the problem problemss that th at com co me with with the law of ass ociati ociation, on, I have had to lear learn n to do three things things to protect my vision. The first is disassociation. Disassociation Pri Priority ority requi equ ires that ther the re are peopl peop le and places places that tha t you y ou are are goi g oing ng to have hav e to dis dis ass as s ociate ociate you y ourrs elf elf fr from if you’ you ’re goi go ing to make it it to t o you y ourr dream dream.. This This fact sho s houldn’t uldn’t be b e tak ta ken lightly. gh tly. Some Some peo p eople ple say s ay tha t hatt it does do esn’t n’t reall really matt matter er wi with whom ho m they th ey ass ociate, ociate, that they th ey wouldn’ wouldn’tt want want to hurt anybody anybo dy by by disas disa s s oci oc iating from from them th em.. Yet Yet Jes us s aid, aid, “If the th e blind blind leads ead s the th e blind blind,, both bot h wil will fall fall in to a ditch” ditch ” (Matth (Mat thew ew 15 15:14 nkjv). nkjv). He He was tell telling us not no t to be foolis foolis h by b y foll following owing thos tho s e who are s piri piritual tu allly bl b lind. nd . You You have hav e to disas disa s s ociate you y ourself rself from from peop pe oplle who aren’t aren’t goi go ing anyw any where and don d on’’t want to go anyw any where in in life. The The s ad thi th ing is that th at s ome ome peop p eoplle literal literallly s acrifi acrifice ce their t heir dreams dreams and thei the ir li lives becaus becau s e they t hey are afr afraid aid of havi hav ing conflict and disagreement with others. Young ou ng people, peo ple, tell your yo ur form former er compan companiions on s , “I don’t do n’t do d o that t hat any longer. on ger. I don’t do n’t want you yo u com co ming here. he re. W e aren’t going in the th e sam s amee direct directiion anym any more.” Cho Choos os e the th e peop pe oplle in in you y ourr life carefull carefully. y. There are many many people peo ple I went to t o s chool cho ol wi with that th at I
can’t spen s pend d tim time with with today. tod ay. There are are peop p eoplle I ass as s ociated with with five years y ears ago ag o that t hat I can’t can’t be b e around any longer. on ger. You can outgrow ou tgrow your fr friends end s . When Wh en you y ou s tart pursui pursu ing God God’’s vis vis ion for your you r li life, som s ometi etim mes you yo u have hav e to change chan ge who your yo ur clos closee friends end s are are becaus becau s e you’r yo u’ree not no t speaki s peaking ng the t he sam s amee lang languag uagee anym any more. Choos ho osee people peo ple who want you y ou to go g o where where you yo u want to go. go . Let Let them t hem be your yo ur encouragem enco uragement. ent. Don’t on ’t be afrai afraid d to disas disa s s oci oc iate you y ourself rself from from people peo ple who who aren’t aren’t ri right gh t for for you. Di Dis ass as s ociation ociation does d oes not no t need to t o be confrontational. Sometimes, you can ease out of people’s lives very quietly quietly and very sub s ubtl tly, y, jus jus t as you yo u eased eas ed into into them. them. For example— “I haven’t hav en’t seen s een you y ou for three week weekss .” “Yeah “Yeah,, I’ve I’ve been be en real bus bu s y.” “I haven’t hav en’t seen se en you y ou for two two mon months ths .” “Yeah “Yeah,, I’ve I’ve been b een worki orking on s ome ome proj p rojects ects .” “I haven’t seen s een you yo u for a who wholle year!” year!” “Yeah “Yeah,, I’ve I’ve reall really been b een doi do ing s ome ome thi th ings ng s !” Dis ass as s ociati ociation on is not n ot an easy eas y action to take, but bu t it it is is a very impor po rtant tan t pri p riori ority ty in life. life. I want want to concl con clud udee thi th is s ection by s aying that, th at, if if you yo u lis lis ten to the t he criti critics cs,, you won’t do what you y ou were ere born b orn to do. do . You You mus t ignore the th e criti critics cs and keep on acting acting in acco a ccordanc rdancee with with your yo ur vision. Cri Critics tics critici criticizze becau b ecauss e they th ey have too t oo much ti t ime on their their hands. hands . You You need to be b e so s o bus b usy y
that th at you y ou don’t do n’t have ha ve ti t ime to critici criticizze anyb an ybod ody y or o r time time to lis ten to anybody criticizing you. Remember what Nehemiah said when he n his enem ene mies tried tried to distract dist ract hi h im from from his vision: “I am carr carrying ying on a great proj project ect and cannot go down. Why s houl hou ld the th e work work s top to p whil while I leav leavee it it and an d go g o down d own to you? yo u?”” (Nehe (Nehem miah 6:3). I was was talki talking to a woman woman one on e ti t ime who was in the t he mids t of of a divo divorrce. Her Her husban hus band d di d idn’ dn ’t reall really want the t he di d ivor vo rce, but s he had s ome ome fri friends who had gone gon e through divorces, divorces, and they th ey were trying trying to talk her int into o it. She She came came to s ee me me and an d s aid, aid, “I need to decide decide whether I s houl hou ld go g o back to my my hus h usband band,, and and I was told you yo u coul co uld d hel h elp p me.” me.” After After I had lis tened tene d to what s he had to s ay, I told told her h er,, “I’ “I’ll tell tell you yo u what. You Yourr husban hus band d is your yo ur bes be s t com co mpany pa ny,, becaus beca us e he wants wan ts the th e marri marriag age. e. You Yourr fri friends en ds are not no t reall really you y ourr fri friends end s . If If you yo u want to s ave av e your yo ur marr marriiage, age , don’t do n’t spe s peak ak to them th em any an y longer. long er. All of them the m are divo divorced. rced. That is why they the y are givi giving ng you yo u thi th is advi adv ice.” When Wh en you y ou’’re goi go ing through throug h an emotional emotionallly pai p ainful nful s ituation, tu ation, you y ou mus t be b e es peci pe cial allly caref c areful ul from from whom ho m you yo u receive receive coun co unss el. el. You You don’t do n’t want to talk to s omeon omeonee who who is s till till dow do wn at the t he bott b ottom om.. You You want s omeon omeonee who who can c an hel h elp p you yo u out. ou t. When you need hel h elp, p, you don’t d on’t go to t o a dr d rowni owning ng man. man. Limited Association The seco s econd nd thi th ing I have ha ve learne learned d is is limited ass as s ociation ociation.. You You may not n ot want to completel completely y di d is ass as s ociate yours yo ursel elff from from s ome ome of the th e peop pe oplle in in you y ourr li life. It is is important po rtant,, however howeve r, that you yo u
thoughtfully and prayerfully determine how much time you will s pend pen d with with them th em.. Perhap Perhapss there th ere are are som s omee peop pe oplle you yo u wil will jus t want to t o be acquainted acq uainted with, with, so s o that th at you yo u can back off off and leave them alon alonee again if if you yo u s ee that th at bei be ing with them t hem caus es your yo ur vision to t o falter. falter. For thos tho s e of o f you who are are dati d ating ng and becom beco ming exci excited ted about abo ut you y ourr relati elation onss hips, pleas pleasee take take this to heart: h eart: When Wh en you yo u have hav e a goal g oal for for your yo ur li life, mak makee sure s ure that the person perso n you y ou are interested nteres ted in is is als als o inte interrested es ted in your you r goal go alss . Many people peo ple get marri arried and an d then th en tel t elll thei th eirr s pous po us es thei th eirr goal go alss . Often Often,, their s pous po us es s ay, “I reall eally don d on’’t want that.” that .” The The Bi Bible ble ask as ks us , “Can “Can two t wo wal walk k toget to gethe her, r, unl un less es s they th ey are agreed?” agreed ?” (Amos (Amos 3:3 nkjv). nkjv). Jes Jesus us reinfor einforced ced this theme theme when He sai s aid, d, “A hous ho usee divided against itself will fall” (Luke 11:17). You don’t want to be in a hous ho us e that th at is di d ivided. vide d. That’s Tha t’s what cau c auss es conf con frontation. on tation. You You want to be b e in in a hou h ouss e wi with one o ne vi v is ion. on . It’s all right gh t to have hav e casual cas ual fr friends end s as long on g as you yo u gi g ive them t hem casual cas ual tim time. You You don’t do n’t want to t o spe s pend nd qual qu aliity time time with with casual cas ual friends end s . It’s It’s al a ll right gh t to t o s pend pen d tw t wo hou h ourrs with s ome ome peop pe oplle but b ut not no t two days d ays . It’s It’s all right gh t to s pend pen d tw t wo mi minutes nu tes with s ome ome peop pe oplle but bu t no n o t two hou h ours. rs. It depen dep ends ds on the th e perso pe rson n and an d hi h is influen nfluence ce on you. yo u. In In fact, there are som so me people peo ple I can’ can ’t be be arou around nd for even two mi minutes nu tes becaus becau s e they’r th ey’ree alw always complaining. Before I talk to them, I am upbeat and ready to give my ful fu ll energy en ergy to life; after afte r I tal ta lk to the t hem m for two mi minute nu tess , how ho wever, ev er, I’m depres de presss ed. You mus t protect p rotect your yo ur ment mental al envi env ironmen ronment. t. Here’ Here’ss how ho w to
do s o: Spend Spen d major major tim time with with pos po s itive influe influenc ncee and an d minor no r tim time with negative neg ative infl influen uence. ce. Stay away from from bad ba d s ituations tu ations . Pau Paull quoted qu oted the adage, ad age, “Bad “Bad compan company y corrup corrupts ts good go od char ch aracter” acter” (1 (1 Corint orinthians hians 15:33). He was was telli telling us , “Cho “Choos os e you y ourr compan company y well.” You s hould ho uld als als o be b e careful careful about what you yo u receive receive from from other ot her people peo ple in in term t ermss of your yo ur li life’s fe’s purpos pu rpos e. I have hav e ment mentiioned on ed this befor b efore, e, but I want want to mention it again: No one on e sho s houl uld d proph pro phes esy y any an y thi th ing over ov er you yo u tha t hatt you y ou weren weren’t ’t alread already y thinki t hinking ng about abo ut becau be causs e God God will confi co nfirm rm your yo ur vision to t o you y ou first first.. Prop Prophec hecy y is for confir confirmation, exho exhortation, rtation, and an d enc e ncou ouragem ragemen ent, t, not no t for dir direction ection.. The The reason reaso n why s o many many people peo ple are are conf con fus ed is that tha t they th ey don d on’’t have hav e a vis vis ion for their their lives yet, yet , and they keep runni un ning ng to variou variouss meeting eetingss look oo king for som s omeon eonee to give give them a word word of o f prop prophecy hecy.. There There are som s omee peop pe oplle who have h ave no s elf elf-control -cont rol.. The They y foll follow what whatev ever er others oth ers s peak pea k into nt o the t heiir lives , and it messes them up, like the friend I mentioned earlier who moved ov ed away from from his fami family. This This happe hap pened ned becau be causs e he had h ad no no clear clear vision for his own life. life. A gain, don’t do n’t allow allow other ot her peop pe oplle to to give you y ou your yo ur vision; all allow them th em onl on ly to t o con c onfi firm rm the th e visi vis ion that God God has alr already gi g iven to you. y ou. Expanded pan ded As s ociation ociation Thir Third—and this is the th e mos mostt pos p os itive tive of the three—expan three—expand d your you r as as s ociati ociation. on. If If you’r you’re goi go ing to be s uccess ucces s ful, ul, you have h ave to s pend pen d more more tim time wi with the t he righ rightt peop pe oplle: people peo ple who who have ha ve the t he s ame ame phi ph ilos ophy op hy and a nd di d is cipl cipliine that th at you yo u do, do , peopl peo plee who who exhi exhibi bitt the th e ki kind of character that you yo u want to t o have. h ave. Thos e are
the peopl peo plee with with whom ho m you yo u want to expan expand d you y ourr rel relati ation onss hips hips . As k yourself yo urself thes the s e ques qu esti tion onss : Who Wh o can help me me tow to ward ard my my goal go al?? What Wh at person pers on can I get close clos e to and learn earn from from?? Spend time time with with people peo ple of vis vis ion. on . When Wh en the th e ange an gell Gabriel abriel announced annou nced to Mary Mary that t hat s he would would becom b ecomee pregnant with Jesus Jesu s , Mary Mary ask as ked, “How “How can I have hav e a baby?” baby ?” God God’’s ans wer through throug h Gabri Gabriel el was that this would occur through throug h the th e pow po wer of the th e Holy Holy Spiri Spirit. t. Yet Yet notice no tice wha whatt else els e the th e angel an gel sai s aid. d. He mentioned that Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist after after s he had been both b oth barr barren and past pas t the age of chil child beari be aring ng.. It was was as if God was s ayi ay ing, ng , “Mary, “M ary, to help h elp you yo u sta s tay y s trong dur du ring this tim time, you need the faith-i aith-ins ns pir piring testi tes tim mony on y of El Elizabeth abe th.. She She has her he r own own miracle racle baby b aby,, and s he’s s ix months on ths ahead of you.” you .” The The Bi Bible s ays that Mary went went s traigh traightt to Elizabeth’s abet h’s hous ho usee and an d s tayed with her for for three mon months ths . (See (See Lu ke 1:26–56.) 1:26–56.) God does do esn’t n’t want want you yo u to s pend pen d ti t ime li lis tening to t o cr c ritics tics becau be causs e they th ey wil will tal ta lk you yo u out o ut of your yo ur “bab “b aby.” y.” He wan wants ts you yo u to to be enc e ncou ourage raged d by b y som s omeo eone ne who wh o has h as alread already y been b een throu th rough gh the th e morning s ickness cknes s , so to s peak pe ak,, becaus becau s e there th ere wi will be ti t imes when he n you’l yo u’lll feel feel li like gi g iving up. up . Duri During ng thos th os e hard h ard ti t imes, es , that tha t perso pe rson n can ca n tell t ell you, yo u, “Honey “Hon ey,, you’re yo u’re goi go in g to t o get g et thro t hroug ugh h it. Don’t on ’t give give up u p on o n you y ourr dream.” dream.” Remem emembe berr wha whatt Jes us did when He want wanted ed to rais rais e a littl tt le girl girl from from death dea th?? The Th e gi g irl’s rl’s hous ho us e was full full of peop pe oplle who were crying and moaning, “Oh, she’s dead!” They were playing funeral mus ic and an d were dress dres s ed in bl b lack. They were were beat b eatiing
their ches ts, ts , tearing tearing their t heir cloth clothes es,, and throw t hrowiing as hes on thems thems elves elves.. Everybo Everybody dy was s o dar da rk and depr dep ress es s ing. ng . It was a pity party p arty.. W hen he n Jes us arri arrived, ve d, He sai sa id to t o the t he fathe fat her, r, “Put al a ll o them out ou t for Me, pleas please.” e.” Jes Jesus us wanted ante d an atmos atmos pher ph eree of fai faith, th, not no t unb u nbel eliief. Then He took too k the th e girl girl’s parents p arents , alon along g with with Peter, James James,, and John, Joh n, into into the room oo m where she s he was, was , and rais rais ed her h er fro fro m the th e dea d ead d . (See (See Mark Ma rk 5:35 5:35– – 43.) 43.) Accentuate Accentu ate the th e Positive Positive We all need other oth er peopl peo plee to gui g uide, de, help, help, and encou en courrage us us alon along g the path pat h to t o fulf fulfilling our ou r vis vis ions on s . Becaus Becaus e we need the influen nfluence ce of others, oth ers, however, ho wever, we are als als o in in dang d anger er of the th e negati neg ative ve effects effects they may have h ave on o n us u s if we—or they—ar they —aree not no t careful. careful. Therefore, it is crucial for us to guard gu ard our ou r hearts, hearts , thoughts thou ghts , attitudes attitudes , and ideas ideas from being being s abotaged abotag ed by thos th osee arou around nd us. us . We mus mustt increase increase the t he pos p osiitive tive infl influen uences ces in our o ur lives and decr d ecrease ease the th e negative negative ones on es as we pursue our o ur indi nd ividual vidua l goal go alss in tan t andem dem with others ot hers.. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion Ans An s wer the three questi quest ions pos ed in in the chapter chap ter:: 1. W ith whom who m am I s pend pe ndiing ti t ime? Who W ho are a re my clos clos est es t fri friends en ds ; who are the peop p eoplle I am confi co nfiding ding in? 2. What Wh at are are these thes e people doi do ing to me? me? In In other oth er words, what what do d o they th ey have h ave you yo u lis lis tening tening to, reading, thinki thinking ng,, doi do ing? ng ? Wher Wh eree do they t hey have hav e you
going? What do they have h ave you s aying? aying? How do they have h ave you feeli eeling? What W hat do they t hey have hav e you settling for? 3. Is what thes e peopl peop le are are doing doing to me me a good go od thi th ing in ligh lightt of o f my my vi v is ion? on ? As k yours yo ursel elf: f: Who Wh o can ca n hel h elp p me me towar to ward d my my goa g oall? What Wh at per pe rs on can I get close clos e to and learn fr from? om?
Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. When Wh en you yo u begi beg in to act on o n your yo ur vis vis ion, on , it wi will s tir tir up both those thos e who who want want to help help you and those thos e who want to hi h inder nd er you. yo u. 2. The law law of ass as s ociation ociation states s tates that tha t you becom b ecomee li like thos tho s e with with whom ho m you yo u s pend pen d ti t ime. 3. There are two words that t hat mos mos t accurately des cribe cribe influen nfluence: ce: powerful powerful and s ubtle. ub tle. 4. People People have the potenti poten tial al to create create your you r envir en viron onm ment. ent . You Yourr envi env ironmen ronmentt then th en determ de termiines your mind-set, and your mind-set determines your future. 5. People People of vis vis ion have ha ve fou found nd that th at the mi minute nu te they decide de cide to t o fulfi fulfilll thei the ir dream, dream, all their th eir enem en emiies s eem to wake ake up. up .
6. Sometim Sometimes es,, the th e people peo ple who are the th e mos mos t detri de trim menta en tall to the th e fulfi fulfillment en t of o f your you r vis vis ion are members of your own family. 7. Peopl Peop le who chan ch ange ge the worl world d have decl dec lared indepen nd ependen dence ce from from other oth er peopl peop le’s ex e xpectati pect ation onss . 8. Three thing thingss that t hat wil will protect prot ect your yo ur vision are disassociation, limited association, and expanded association. 9. We mus mustt increase increase the th e posi pos itive tive infl influen uences ces in our lives and decr d ecrease ease the t he negative ones as we pursue our ou r indi nd ividual vidua l goal go alss in tand ta ndem em with oth o thers. ers.
Chapter Twelve
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #9: Empl oy th thee Prov P rovii sion si on of Vi sion si on God desi des igned gn ed ever ev ery y purpos p urposee wi with its ow o wn pr p ros perity perity..
Pri Principle nciple number number nine is is that tha t we mus mustt und u nderstan erstand d the pow po wer of prov proviis ion. on . Peop Peoplle often s top dreami dreaming about abo ut what they t hey reall eally want to do in lif life becaus b ecaus e they th ey know no w they have hav e few resou es ourrces with which to do d o it. it. They believe believe they t hey have hav e to pay for their vision visionss with their present presen t incomes incomes when they can barel ba rely y make make ends end s meet as it is. Sim Similarly, arly, when you y oung ng peop pe oplle tell thei th eirr parents pa rents what ha t they th ey dream d ream of becom beco ming, ng , the parents p arents often becom b ecomee ner ne rvous vo us becaus becau s e they th ey feel their their chil children’s dreams dreams are too big for them th em to finan finance. ce. Whatev Wh atever er God God Purpo Purposs es, es , He He Prov Proviides For If we we believe believe that t hat we have hav e to use us e our ou r own res resou ourrces to accomplish God-given visions, then we are small dreamers. I want to encourage enco urage you yo u that t hat the Bible ble is is very clear clear concerning concerning the dr d reams eams and plans plans that tha t are in in our ou r hearts and how h ow they are meant ean t to be provided p rovided for. Prov Proverbs erbs 16:1 s ays , “To man man bel b elon ong g the plans plans of the heart, but from the Lord com co mes the reply of the tongue.” tong ue.” This This s tatement tatement has to do with provis provis ion. Whenever W henever a perso pe rson n recei rece ives ve s a dream from from God, od , it us u s ual ua lly seem s eemss impos po s s ible. Yet God God know no ws that our ou r prov proviis ions on s are never equal to our o ur visions at the th e mom moment ent we receive receive the t hem m. He He reali realizes that th at we
cannot cann ot expl explai ain n to t o othe o therrs —or even ourselves o urselves—how —how we we are goi go ing to t o accom acco mplis plis h our ou r vis vis ions on s without tho ut the t he neces s ary ary mon money, ey, peop pe oplle, facil faciliities, ties , or equ eq u ipmen pment. t. He He kno knows ws tha t hatt often o ften our o ur dreams dreams are big big and an d our o ur bank ban k accoun acco unts ts are smal smalll. What Wha t is is His s olution for us ? He s ays that th at He wi will give the th e ans wer or “reply “reply of the tongue. tongu e.”” God’s will for our lives comes from His own will. That’s why He says s ays it is is our ou r job job to und u nder erss tand, tan d, beli believe, and write dow do wn our o ur visions whil while it is is His respon resp onss ibili bility to explai explain n how ho w He’s He’s goi go ing to accom acco mplis plis h them t hem in His His own ti t ime. That frees us to be creati creative ve and producti produ ctive ve in pur pu rs uing uing our ou r vis vis ions on s . Theref Therefore, ore, if if peop pe oplle ask as k you yo u how h ow you yo u are goi go ing to accom acc ompli pliss h you y ourr dream, dream, you yo u don d on’t ’t have hav e to try to give them th em a full full ans an s wer. wer. Tel Telll them th em you yo u are are trusti trus ting ng God for provis provis ion each s tep of the way. Then let God expl explai ain n to t o them t hem how ho w it it is going g oing to be done. do ne. Purpo Purposs e is is your yo ur respon resp onss ibili bility. ty . Provision Provision is God God’s ’s respo res pons ns ibili bility. ty . Vis ion and Prov Proviis ion Go Toge To geth ther er Perhap Perhapss your yo ur dreams dreams are so big big they t hey alm almos t fri frighten gh ten you. yo u. You don’t do n’t see s ee how ho w they the y coul co uld d ever ev er come come to pas s . Let Let me me ass as s ure you yo u that your yo ur ini initi tial al apprehens ion is nor no rmal. al. God God often gives gives us dream dreamss that confound co nfound us u s at fi firs t becaus e He He wants wants to make su s u re we do d o n ’t atte at tem mp t to t o fulfil fulfill them th em apart ap art from Him Him. If we try try to do s o, we we won’t won’t succeed, s ucceed, because the resour resou rces won’t be ava a vaiilabl ab le. Many Man y peo p eople ple who who are doing s ometh omethiing s igni gn ifican ficantt for God in the t he world world are doi do ing it witho without ut their own resources reso urces becaus becau s e
God does d oes n’t want want us u s to depen d epend d on our ou r own abil abilities ties.. Ins tead, He wants wants us to be obedi o bedient ent by putti putt ing the th e vis vis ion on o n paper pap er and then look oo king to Him Him to gener gen erate ate the th e funds and other ot her res resou ourrces that are are needed need ed to s uppo up porrt Hi His own work work.. Rest es t as s ured that th at God God will never nev er give give you yo u a vision witho without ut provis pro visiion. on . The abil a biliity and an d resou res ources rces are avai ava ilabl ab le for whatev what ever er you yo u were were born bo rn to do. d o. You Yourr provi prov is ion, on , how ho wever, ev er, is us ually ually hidd hidden en until u ntil you yo u act on o n your yo ur vis vis ion. on . Whateve Wh ateverr you yo u were were bor bo rn to do d o attr att racts what you y ou need n eed to do it. Therefore, Therefore, you yo u fir firs t have hav e to es tabli tablis h what you want to t o do, d o, and begi b egin n to do it, before before the need can be b e met. met. Mos t of o f us work in reverse. We like to s ee the th e provis pro visiions on s before be fore we we sta s tart, rt, but bu t faith faith does do esn’t n’t work that th at way. way . When Wh en we take action action,, then God manifes anifests ts the provis provis ion. on . I want to s how you pr p roof that everyth everythiing you y ou need n eed has been be en prov p roviided de d for you yo u alread already. y. Eph Ephes esiians an s 1:3 s ays ay s , “Prais “Prais e be to the God and Father of our Lord Lord Jesus Jes us Chris hris t, who who has [already [already]] bless bles s ed us u s in the th e heaven hea venlly realm realms with eve e very ry spi sp iritual tu al bless bles s ing in Chri Chriss t” (emph (emphas asiis adde ad ded). d). God God has ha s alread already y bl b less es s ed you yo u with with ever ev eryth ythiing you yo u need. n eed. Wher Wh eree is is it? It is is in the th e heave hea venly nly realm realms , the th e s piri piritual tu al worl world. d. Verse Verse four starts s tarts out ou t with with the word “For.. “For.... ..”” When Wh en we see s ee that th at word, word, we we underst un derstand and that, that , becau be causs e of the th e truth trut h of o f verse ve rse four, fou r, vers ve rsee three th ree is is a reali reality: ty : “For he cho c hoss e us u s in hi h im before before the th e creation creation of the world.” orld.” God alr already prepared ever eve rythi yth ing you yo u woul ou ld need before He He created created you s o that you y ou coul cou ld do what you were were born to do. He knew knew what what you y ou needed n eeded becaus b ecausee He He chos e you for your vision a long time time ago. ag o. God God tells tells us we don’t don ’t have hav e to worry worry
about our provis provis ion becaus e He He has alr already bl b less es s ed us with every spi s pirritual tua l blessi bless ing in the t he heaven h eavenlly pl p laces. aces . Worry Worry is the t he greatest greates t s ign of doubt dou bt in God God.. If If He He can put pu t Pharaoh’s mon money ey into the pock po ckets ets of the Israeli Israelites and take Hi His people peo ple into into the wilderness dernes s loaded oad ed down d own wi with the gol go ld of o f the enem ene my, do you yo u think He can’ can ’t pr p rovi ov ide for your you r needs ? Mis Mis concept con ceptiions on s of Pr Prosperi os perity ty Pros Pros perity perity as Excess ces s One of o f the reason reas onss we have hav e trouble understand unders tandiing how ho w God will provi prov ide for our ou r vis vis ions on s is that th at we have ha ve a fals fals e vi v iew of pros pro s peri pe rity ty.. W e thi th ink pros peri pe rity ty means ean s exces exces s , and an d tha t hatt is why we worr worry y when we don’t do n’t already already hav h avee mon money ey in the bank b ank to fund our vis vis ions . Further, our concep con ceptt of o f prosperi pros perity ty is more li like hoa h oarrding. In the Bible, hoardi ho arding ng is referr eferred ed to t o as gluttony. glutton y. A per p erss on can be be glutto gluttonou nouss even when he has no money or food food.. Gl Gluttony utto ny is a s tate of o f mind in whi which ch a per p erss on never nev er feels eels he has h as enoug eno ugh h to s atisfy him. him. Whatev Wh atever er you yo u hoar ho ard d wil will begi beg in to des troy you. yo u. When we eat more than t han we need, need , it it beco b ecom mes a problem p roblem called called exces exces s weigh eight. t. That weigh weightt caus cau s es press ure on the heart. Our Our arteri arteries es begin be gin to clog up, u p, putt pu ttiing us in dan d ange gerr of stroke, s troke, all all becau be causs e we loaded up on excess excess food. ood . The Bi Bible ble says s ays that tha t people peo ple who have h ave exces excesss money on ey have h ave many bur bu rdens den s , worr worry, y, and headach h eadaches es trying trying to figur gu re out ou t what
to do with with thei th eirr riche richess and an d how h ow to protect p rotect them th em.. (See, (See, for example, Luke 12:16–21; James 5:1–5.) Too much wealth can cause caus e oppr opp ress ion and an d even depre d epress s ion. Som Somee peopl peop le have s o many gems gems and diamon diamonds ds that tha t they th ey put p ut bar b arss on thei the ir windows nd ows to pr p rotect otec t them th emss elves elves against thef the ft. They They worry orry ever ev ery y night that s omeon omeonee mi might gh t br b reak in in and an d tak t akee thei th eirr twent twenty-thou y-thouss andand dol do llar watc watch, h, which which they th ey rarel rarely y wear anyway. an yway. To me, me, that app a pprroach to t o wealth wealth is is fool oo lis hnes hn esss becaus b ecaus e the riches are are a bur bu rden rather ath er than tha n a bl b less es s ing. ng . You You don’t do n’t have hav e to own extravagan extravagantt thi th ings ng s jus t becaus b ecaus e you yo u are weal wealthy thy.. You You’’d be bet b ette terr off buy bu y ing a twenty twen ty-do -dolllar wat watch ch and a nd enj en joyi oy ing y our ou r life. That way, if if som so meone eon e takes it, you can just us t buy b uy anoth ano ther er one. on e. All All you yo u need n eed to know no w is the th e time. time. You You don’t do n’t have ha ve to t o worry worry about abo ut who is keeping it it for you. Pros Pros perity perity as Future Needs Needs Met Today Tod ay Other the r people have the t he idea that th at pr p rosperi os perity ty means all all our ou r needs need s s houl ho uld d be provided provided for wel welll ahead of o f tim time. Jesus Jesu s addr add ress es s ed thi th is mis concept con ceptiion when He told Hi His disciples, Therefore Therefore I tell tell you, yo u, do not no t worry worry abou ab outt you y ourr life, what you y ou will eat or drink; drink; or o r about abo ut your yo ur body bo dy,, what what you yo u will wear. wear. Is Is not no t life more more impo imporrtant tan t than t han food, food , and the th e bod b ody y more impo important rtant than cloth clothes es?.. ?...S .So o do d o not n ot worry, worry, saying, s aying, “What s hall we eat?” or “What “W hat s hall we dri d rink?” nk?” or “What “W hat s hal ha ll we wear?” wear?” For the paga pa gans ns run after a fter all all thes th esee thi th ings ng s , and you y ourr heav he aven enlly Father Fath er know no ws that tha t you y ou need them th em.. But But s eek fi firs t hi h is kingdo ng dom m and his
righteou gh teouss nes s , and all all thes the s e things will be gi g iven to you y ou as well ell. (Matthew 6:25, 31–33) Do peop p eoplle worr worry y abou ab outt som s ometh ethiing they the y already already have? hav e? No. Wor Wo rry isn’t related related to our ou r present presen t sup s uppl ply. y. It It is is related elated to a percei pe rceive ved d or o r pote po ten n tial lack in in the t he futu fu ture. re. Jesus Jes us was as a s king His His dis dis cipl ciples es,, in effect, effect, “Why do you yo u want som s ometh ethiing that t hat you y ou don’t do n’t need right gh t now? n ow? You You are are focusi focus ing on the wron wrong g thi th ing. ng . Seek firs t God God’’s kingdo ng dom m and His righteo gh teous usnes nes s , and thes the s e thi th ings ng s will come come with with the th e job. Don’t purs p ursue ue them th em;; they t hey will foll follow you y ou.” .” Jesus concluded concluded His s tatements tatements on pr p rovis ovis ion by b y sayi s aying, ng, “Tomorr “Tomorrow ow wil will worr worry y abou ab outt itsel its elf. f. Each day has ha s enoug eno ugh h trouble trou ble of its its own” (v. 34 34). I int interpret erpret thi th is to mean, ean , “If “If you have hav e s ometh omethiing righ rightt now, no w, then th en enj en joy it.” In In oth o ther er words words , if the th e rent on the t he hous ho usee is is paid, paid, then enjoy the hous h ous e for for the month month.. Stop Stop worrying orrying abou ab outt the t he nex n extt mon month th that th at isn’ isn ’t even ev en here h ere yet! Li Live in your yo ur hous ho us e, sleep in your yo ur bed, bed , cook in in you y ourr kitchen, tch en, relax relax in your yo ur li living room. room. Have Have joy in the t he hou h ouss e that th at is pai p aid d for today. tod ay. We get ulcers ulcers over ov er how we we are goi go ing to pay for next next mon month’s th’s provis pro visiion becau be causs e we d on’t on ’t all allo w ourse ou rsellv es to live in the th e presen pres ent. t. Pros Prosperi perity ty does do esn’t n’t mean mean that tomorr tomorrow’ ow’ss need is met tod t oday; ay; it means means that today’s tod ay’s need n eed is met met today to day.. We fi find the s ame ame concep con ceptt in in the t he Lord’s Lord’s Prayer: “Gi “Give us u s today to day our ou r daily daily bread” b read” (v. 11 11). Jes Jesus us tell tells us not no t to t o worry orry abo a bout ut tomorr tomorrow ow becaus becau s e it it has its own s upply up ply (v. (v. 34 34), and tom to morrow orrow we we may may need n eed even eve n more than we do today. tod ay. When Wh en we get to tomorr tomorrow, ow, the s uppl up ply y
will be there. t here. We mus mus t und u nderst erstand and what ha t pros p rospe peri rity ty reall really is in order to gr g rasp as p the th e fou found ndationa ationall princ princiiple of how ho w God provi prov ides de s for our vision visionss . The Nature of Real Prosperity One of the Hebrew words that is transl trans lated “prosperi “pros perity ty”” in in the th e Bib Bib le is is s h alev (see (s ee,, for exam examp p le, Psalm Ps alm 30: 30:6; Psalm Ps alm 73: 73:3), 3), which hich means “tranqui “tranqu il,” “being “being at eas ea s e,” “peaceabl “peaceab le,” and “qui “qu ietnes etn esss .” Anothe Ano therr Hebrew Hebrew word for prosperi pros perity ty is s halom (see Psalm 35:27; Jeremiah 33:9), which means “peace,” “safe,” “well “well,” “happy “hap py,” ,” and “health.” “h ealth.” The Bi Bible is is s ayi ay ing that th at pros pro s peri pe rity ty is peace pe ace.. Pros Prospe peri rity ty is also harm ha rmon ony. y. Whe W hen n thing t hingss are in in bal b alanc ance, e, we we say s ay the t hey y are peaceful pea ceful.. True True pros per pe rity means ean s to be free free of worr worry y and an d fear and refl eflects a state s tate of contentednes conten tednes s that everything everything necess n ecess ary ary is is being being tak t aken en care care of. Jesus Jesu s used us ed an anal a nalog ogy y from from natur natu re to help expl explai ain n pros pro s peri pe rity ty:: “Loo “Look k at the t he bi b irds of the th e air; air; they th ey do d o not n ot s o w or reap or o r s tore away away in in bar b arns ns , and yet you y ourr heavenl heav enly y Father feeds them. them. Are Are you yo u not n ot much much more valuab valuablle than tha n they? th ey? Who W ho of you by worrying orrying can add a si s ingl ng le hour ho ur to hi h is life?” (Matth (Mat thew ew 6:26 6:26– – 27). 27). Some Some peop p eoplle interpret interpret this pas s age to mean that, tha t, si s ince God is s uppos upp osed ed to take take care care of them, them, they don’ don ’t need to do do anything any thing them th emss elves elves . They’re They’re goi go ing to just s it back and let let the th e Lord bl b less es s them th em.. If If they th ey need n eed anyth any thiing, ng , they will pray, and an d s omeon omeonee wil will bring bring groceri groce ries es to thei th eirr front front doors do ors or pay for the th e
gas oline oline in thei the ir cars or o r give them th em s ever eve ral hund hu ndred red dol do llars. Therefore, Therefore, they the y just jus t wait wait for God God to act. act . However, oweve r, let’s look oo k at the t he implicat plicatiion of the th e pas pa s s age. ag e. How How does do es God feed bi b irds ? He prov proviides for them, them, but He does do esn’t n’t perso pe rson n ally ally han h and-d d-deli elive verr food foo d to t o the t heiir nes ne s ts ! The bi b irds don’t do n’t ust us t s it around aroun d and an d wait ait for God God to s top by with their meals eals . When Jesus s aid aid the th e heavenl heaven ly Father feeds feeds the bi b irds, ds , He He meant that tha t everythi everyth ing they the y need n eed has h as been made avai av aillable for for them, them, but they have to go and get g et it. it. God does do es not no t bui bu ild a bi b ird’s nes n est. t. He He provides the twigs twigs . The The bird bird has h as to fin fin d the t hem m, pick them th em up, up , and an d bri b ring ng them th em back ba ck to the th e tree it it has chos cho s en for a hom ho me. God God does do es not no t leave leave worms worms on the top of the gr g round ou nd every morni morning ng.. The The bi b ird has h as to go g o di d iggi gg ing for them th em.. It It has h as to keep worki working, ng , worki working ng,, worki workin n g until un til it finish finishes es bui bu ilding its nes ne s t. It It has h as to keep work working, ng , work workiing, ng , worki working until un til it get g etss the th e worm. worm. Whate Wh atever ver God God Call alls For, He Prov Proviides de s For A princ princiiple we we tal t alk ked abou ab outt earl e arliier appl app lies here: Whatev Wha tever er God calls calls for, He He provides p rovides for. for. God God provi prov ides de s us with with what we need, need , thoug tho ugh h us u s ually ually not no t directl directly. y. If If you yo u are a coll college stud s tudent ent,, your you r parents parents may pr p rovide ovide your y our tuiti tuition on to go g o to s chool choo l, but they cannot cann ot make ake you yo u learn. learn. The provision is is made, but bu t the th e work is up to t o you. yo u. You Yourr parents cook coo k food oo d and put pu t it it on the table table for for you, but you have to eat it; it; you yo u have hav e to get the t he energy en ergy from from it you y ourse rsellf. It’s th t h e sam s amee way with with God. od . He He provide pro videss , but bu t He does do esn’t n’t do d o the t he work for us . W e hav ha v e to go go
after after what what God God has provided provided as our ou r s uppl up ply. y. Every ve ry Purpo Purposs e Has Has Its Own Own Pros Pros peri pe rity ty Anoth An other er fun fundam damenta entall aspect as pect of prov proviis ion is that God has desi des igned gn ed ever ev ery y purpos p urposee wi with its ow o wn pr p ros perity. perity. You Yourr pur pu rpos po s e has bui bu ilt-in t-in provi prov is ion for it. it. God God never nev er requ requiires from from you yo u what ha t He does do es not no t alr already have hav e in in reserve for you. yo u. Here is is the th e key: Your ou r pros pros peri pe rity ty is direct directlly related related to your yo ur purpo pu rposs e in in life. life. The nat n ature ure and an d deg d egree ree of your yo ur pros peri pe rity ty is determi determined by what your yo ur ass as s ignm gn ment is . You You were not bor bo rn to to have ha ve too to o muc much h or o r too littl tt le. You You were were born b orn to fulfi fulfill God’s od ’s purpo pu rposs e. When Wh en yo y o u capt ca pture ure you yo u r visi vis io n—the n—t he part p art you yo u ’re ’re s uppos upp osed ed to contribute contribute to your y our generati generation on and s ucceeding ucceeding generations generations , the role role you’r yo u’ree supp s uppos osed ed to t o pl p lay in his his tory— when you yo u capture cap ture that th at and an d are doi do ing it, you will s ee that th at all your yo ur provi prov is ions on s are autom aut omatical aticallly buil b uiltt into it. In thi th is way, ay , you don’t do n’t ul u ltimately timately work for mon money ey or food, food , becau be causs e you’re yo u’re too to o bus b us y living living.. You were were not no t created creat ed by b y God God us t to t o pay p ay a mortgage ortg age.. You You were were not n ot given life simply simply to keep food in the t he refri refrigerator. ge rator. In you y ourr heart, he art, you yo u know that’s th at’s true. If If this is what you’r yo u’ree doi d oing ng,, you are prob probabl ably y frus trated with with your yo ur si s ituation. tu ation. By By the t he time time you y ou turn tu rn si s ixty, ty , you wil will look oo k back at your yo ur li life and s ay, “Di “Did I enjoy enjoy any of this this ?” Perhap Perhapss you yo u have h ave a ni n ice hom h ome, e, but bu t you y ou are there th ere onl on ly between b etween 9 p.m. p.m. and 6 a.m. a.m. The rest res t of the ti t ime, you’r you ’ree helping helping s omeo omeone ne else get g et rich, rich, and that per p erss on is at hom ho me playi playing ng golf behind behind his his hous hou s e and enjoying the th e com co mpany pan y of o f his his fami family and a nd fri friends end s whil while you y ou are
bus bu s y at work. work. You and I have prosperity prosperity bas b ased ed on o n our o ur ass ignments gnments,, not on keeping keeping up u p with with the th e Joneses Jones es.. We sho s houl uld d get rid rid of what whatever ever is exces excesss in our o ur li lives . We are as rich rich as our ou r pur pu rpos po s es, es , and our ou r visions aren’t yet com c ompleted pleted.. W e stil s tilll have ha ve provision p rovision com co ming to us that no one can hol ho ld back. back. Someti Sometim mes, es , God God does do esn’t n’t give us u s all all the resou es ourrces we need n eed to fulfi fulfilll our ou r visions becau be causs e He He has called called oth o ther er peop pe oplle to provide pro vide the t hem m for us . God God may hav h avee provis pro visiio ns all over ov er the world orld waiting waiting for you. yo u. He may may mov movee you y ou a thou th ouss and miles to get you y ou where you were meant to t o be, to do d o thi th ings ng s you yo u were were born bo rn to do, d o, to fulfi fulfilll the th e purpo pu rposs e in in you y ourr own heart h eart while, while, at the th e s ame ame ti t ime, fulfi fulfillling the th e purp p urpos os e in His His heart. he art. Therefore, Therefore, if you yo u want to go to coll college, don’t do n’t abando aban don n you y our r dream jus t becaus b ecaus e your yo ur moth mother er does n’t have hav e the th e mon money ey for it. it. Your ou r mothe ot herr does do esn’t n’t need ne ed to t o pay p ay you y ourr bill bills . Your ou r heave he avenly nly Father has promi promis ed to do d o that. th at. Mary Mary and Joseph Jos eph’’s mon money ey came came from from wis wis e men men on camel camelss . When Wh en they th ey s aid aid yes y es to God’s od ’s vis vis ion, on , the wis wis e men men tr t raveled a great di d is tance tan ce to get to them. them. God will s upply up ply your yo ur provisi provis ion, on , even if He has ha s to have ha ve s omeone omeone cross the des d eser ertt to get it it to you. you . God God has h as provis provis ion for you that no n o one on e but He knows knows about. abo ut. Therefore, Therefore, you yo u have ha ve all all the pr p rovi ov is ions on s you yo u need ne ed for your yo ur vis vis ion, on , includi including ng your yo ur fi finances nan ces,, staff s taff,, buildi building ngss , and anything any thing els els e that th at is requi requ ired. There There are peopl peop le who who were born to help you yo u fulfi fulfilll your yo ur vision. There are peopl peop le who went to t o s chool cho ol to
learn a s kill jus t to t o work for you. yo u. Ri Right gh t now, n ow, they th ey’r ’ree in in a preoccupation job job becaus e you haven’t started your bus iness nes s yet. y et. All the resou es ourrces you yo u need are are alr already in place; place; they t hey will beco be com me visi vis ible in in God God’s ’s ti t iming once on ce you y ou s tart ta rt purs pu rsuing uing you y our r vision. Prov Proviis ion Is Rig Rig ht for the Vis ion God is a God of provision. He is Jehovah-Jireh, “The Lord Will Will Prov Proviide.” de .” He He provi prov ides de s everyth ev erythiing, ng , but He prov proviides it after you yo u begin b egin the work of the vi v is ion. on . You Yourr obedience to your yo ur vis vis ion aff affects not no t onl on ly you y ourr life but bu t als als o the th e li lives of thos e who who will work with with you. yo u. This mean meanss that th at obed o bediience enc e to vision is not n ot a private private issue. iss ue. It It affects affects everyon everyonee who is is s uppos upp osed ed to t o work work with you yo u and an d be b e im impacted pa cted by your yo ur li life. Pros Prosperi perity ty means means havi hav ing everythi everyth ing that th at is is needed. need ed. It It does do esn’t n’t necess neces s ari arily mean mean having h aving a lar large ge bank b ank account, accoun t, sever sev eral al cars cars , and a lar large ge hous h ous e, althou although gh you might need thos t hos e things to fulfill your vision. For example, because of our purpose, my wife and I need nee d a long dining dining room tabl tab le that th at can ca n s eat a large large num nu mber of people since we we often have h ave gues g ues ts of the mi minis nis try to dinn dinner er.. That’s par p artt of o f our ass as s ignm gn ment. It mi might gh t also be you y ourrs , depend dep endiing on what you yo u are call called to t o do. d o. However, However, perhaps you yo u need n eed a four-cha four-chaiir tabl tab le rather than th an a twel t welve ve-chai -chairr tabl tab le becau be causs e you yo u us u s ual ua lly just jus t hav h avee your yo ur fam famiily at di d inner. nn er. Inste Ins tead ad of o f usi us ing the mon money ey on o n a large large tabl t able, e, you use us e it it for other oth er thing thingss relate related d to your yo ur perso p ersonal nal or church ch urch vision. Sim Similarly, arly, I may may not no t need s omething omething that t hat you yo u mus mus t have h ave to t o fulf fulfill your yo ur purpos e. If If I had it, it it would be ex e xcess ces s . The The point p oint is is that th at God God provi prov ides for all all
the needs n eeds of our vis vis ions on s , no matter matter what what they are, are, lar large ge or o r small. Use Your ou r Prov Proviis ion Several years ye ars ago, ago , whe when n I was visiting visiting a fri friend en d in Detroit, Detroit, I s aid, aid, “You “You know no w, I’ I’ve alw always wanted ant ed to t o tour tou r the Ford Motor Mo tor Compan ompany. y. I’ I’ve heard a lot abou ab outt Mr M r. Ford Ford and the way they make cars there, t here, and I’d li like to t o s ee it for mys mys elf elf.” We ended en ded up s pendi pen ding ng a whole afternoon afternoon ther the re. The The man man cond co nducting ucting the th e tour tou r s how ho wed us u s s ome ome mas masss ive bui b uillding dingss , incl includ udiing the corporate offi office and the pl p lace where where they th ey des d esiign the car c arss . Then he h e took too k us to look at anothe ano therr big big bui b uillding ding and s aid, aid, “This “This is where we we do all all the producti produ ction on work on the parts.” parts .” We went en t throug th rough h what looked li like one on e mas masss ive buil b uilding, ding, but bu t there th ere were smal smalller storeho st orehous us es withi th in it. Every ve ry sect s ectiion had a differ differen entt nam n ame, e, and there th ere were were mi millions on s of parts pa rts s tored to red in each s ection. ection. I pointed pointed to one o ne s ection ection and ask as ked the th e gui gu ide, “What is this?” and a nd he s aid, aid, “These “Thes e are the cars we’r e’re preparing preparing for 2005.” 05.” I said, s aid, “Wait “W ait a minute nu te;; it’s o nly 199 1998.” 8.” He s aid, “Yeah “Yeah,, but bu t we are are at least leas t five five years y ears ahead ah ead.. Th Th is one on e is is for 2002 002, this is for 20 2003, 03, thi th is is for 20 2004, and an d thi th is one on e is for 20 2005.” 5.” Whe W hen nI ask as ked if I could could s ee the th e cars, he s aid, aid, “No, “No, the cars them th emss elves elves are not yet made. ade . We make make the parts p arts first. rst . However, However, thes e are not no t the th e parts we wi will use us e on the new cars cars . Thes Thes e are the replacem eplacement ent parts in cas ca s e any an y repair repairs woul ou ld be b e needed n eeded.” .” The compan company y mak makes es the s pare parts bef b efore ore they bui bu ild the t he new cars cars . Then Then they make ake the th e cars. That’s why, hy , when when anything any thing
needs need s to be b e replaced replaced on you y ourr car, the par p artt is is alr already prepared. They prepare prepare what what you’r y ou’ree goi go ing to need n eed before before you yo u even ev en buy bu y your yo ur car. car. As I li lis tened ten ed to our ou r guide explai explain n this, t his, I fel feltt as if the Holy Spiri Spiritt was s peak pe akiing to me righ rightt in in tha t hatt wareho warehous us e. He He sai s aid, d, “That’s “That ’s ex e xactly the t he meani ean ing of Eph Ephes esiians 1:3: ‘Prai ‘Praiss e be b e to the th e God and Father of our ou r Lord Lord Jesus Jes us Chris hris t, who who has blessed bless ed us u s in the th e heave he avenly nly realm realms with with every ev ery spir s piriitual tu al bless bles s ing in Chri Chris t.’ Everything you y ou’’re goi g oing ng to need for your you r vis vis ion is alr already provide pro vided d for. I have ha ve it all all reserve res erved d in big sto s toreho rehous us es in heaven. heav en. Even Even before you came came on the s cene, I had it all all prepared prep ared.” .” My goo g ood d fri friend Jess e Dup Dupllanti ant is once on ce told me me about abo ut an unus un us ual ua l expe experi rienc encee he had. had . He He had h ad a spir s piriitual tu al vision in which which Jesus Jesu s took too k him on a tour tou r of heaven. heaven . He He has written about abo ut thi t hiss experi experience ence in a book. bo ok. At one on e poi po int, Jesus Jes us and he came came to a large area of heave he aven n where there th ere were were big, big, mas masss ive warehou arehouss es. There There wer were names names on the warehous arehous es, es , and he h e saw s aw one with with hi h is name name on it, so he as ked Jesus Jesu s , “What’s “What’s in that th at warehou arehouss e?” Jes Jesus us s aid, aid, “Do “Do you y ou want to s ee?” He He sai s aid, d, “Sure. “Sure. My name name is is ther the re.” They They went up u p to the warehous e and opened op ened its large arge door. do or. Ins Ins ide, piled piled up to the ceil ceiling, ng , was was what look oo ked like bi b illions on s of dol do llars’ worth of o f things . In In the th e corner co rner was a s mall all, empt empty y s pace. pa ce. He ask as ked, ed , “Lord, “Lord, the th e whol who le pl p lace is fil filled with all all thes th esee magn magniificen ficentt things t hings , but bu t what’s what ’s tha t hatt empt empty y s pot right there by the th e door? do or?”” Jesus s aid, aid, “That’s “That’s all all you’ you ’ve ask as ked for so s o far.” far.”
After he told t old me me that th at s tory, to ry, I s aid aid to t o mys mys elf, elf, “I’m “I’m goi go ing to die empt empty. y. I’m I’m goi go ing to clean clean out ou t my my warehous wareho us e before b efore I leave eav e planet plane t earth.” ea rth.” Whe W hen n we go to t o heav h eaven en,, mos t of o f u s are goi go in g to to be s hocked ho cked at what wha t was ours o urs for us e on earth that th at we neve ne ver r ask as ked for. We mus t us u s e what is in our ou r warehous areho us es. es . Dai Dailly, we we s hould ho uld ask as k God, od , “Del “Deliiver ve r to me what I need today to day.” .” Seco Second nd Peter 1:3 says that God’ od ’s “divine “divine pow po wer has given given us everyth eve rythiing we need for li life and god g odllines s .” Where Wh ere is is it? It’s waiting aiting for you to ask as k for it with with confi con fide dence nce.. God God is not no t sho s hort rt of anythi anyth ing you yo u need. What Wh at I’m I’m concer con cerned ned about abo ut is that t hat you y ou may be b e ask as king for s ome ome thi th ings ng s that th at aren’t you y ours. rs. Let Let me me explai explain. n. If If you pursu pu rsuee the th e wrong ass ignment, gnment, you’re you’re going to need thi t hings ngs you can’t can’t get, becau be causs e the th e provis pro visiio n isn’t isn ’t there th ere unl un less es s the th e visi vis ion is yours yo urs.. It’s som s omeon eonee els els e’s e’s ass as s ignm gn ment, and he h e has his own warehous areho us e. Som Sometim etimes es,, people peo ple make make demand demandss on God that th at He can’t can’t supp s upplly becaus b ecausee He He can’t can’t give give us what does d oesn’t n’t belong belong to us . Agai Ag ain, n, knowing knowing God’s od ’s wil will for your you r li life is is the th e key to t o your yo ur pros pro s peri pe rity ty.. Five Five Speci Spec ific fic Way W ayss God Prov Proviides de s for Vi Vis ion I now want want to dis dis cus s five s pecifi pecific ways that the Scri Scriptur ptu res teach us God provides provides the resou es ourrces—f ces —fiinanci nan cial al and otherw oth erwiis e —that —th at we need ne ed to t o fulfi fulfill the th e visi vis io ns He give givess us . Land and Its Inher nh erent ent Wealth The fir firs t way God God provides provides for our vis vis ions on s is through throug h our o ur abil ability to t o obtai ob tain n and an d us e land land and the resou res ourrces inher nh erent ent in it. it.
Unti nt il you yo u own o wn lan land, d, you yo u are stil s tilll cons con s idered s omewhat omewhat poo p oor, r, and you y ou are not reall really secure. s ecure. As long on g as you yo u are renting, s omeon omeonee els els e owns you y ou.. Although Althou gh real estate es tate pr p rices fluctuate, uctu ate, there is is a s pecial prosperi pros perity ty in owning owning land. and . Land is God’s od ’s conc co ncept ept of wealth. wealth. Not Notee that th at the th e first first thing t hing God placed man in was the th e Garden Garden of Eden Eden,, or real real estat es tate. e. Genes en esiis 2:7–12 says say s , The Lord Lord God God form formed the th e man man from from the th e dus d us t of o f the gr g round ou nd and breathed into his nos n os tril trils the breath of o f li life, and the t he man man becam be camee a li living bei be ing. ng . No No w the th e Lord Lord God God had ha d pl p lante an ted d a garde g arden n in the t he eas t, in in Eden Eden;; and an d there t here he put p ut the man he h e had formed. ormed. And An d the t he Lord God God made ad e all kinds nd s of trees grow out ou t of o f the ground—trees ground—trees that were were pleasing pleasing to the eye ey e and good goo d for food. ood . In the th e mi middl dd le of the th e garden g arden were were the th e tree of o f li life and the th e tree of o f the th e kno know wledge edg e of good goo d and an d evi ev il. A ri river ve r wateri ate ring ng the th e garden garde n flowed flowed from from Eden; den ; from there th ere it it was s eparated ep arated into nt o four ou r headwaters hea dwaters.. The nam n amee of the first first is the t he Pis Pis hon; ho n; it wi winds nd s throug th rough h the t he ent e ntiire land land of Havil Havilah ah,, where where there th ere is is gol go ld. (The (The gol go ld of o f that land is good go od;; aromati aromaticc resin and onyx on yx are als als o there.) This This pass pas s age descri d escribes bes the wealth wealth of the land land s urroun urroundi ding ng Eden. den . God God s aid aid the t herre’s gol go ld, resi res in, and an d ony o nyx x in the t he land. and . Res Resiin is a fragran fragrantt gum g um,, simi similar to the t he preciou preciouss s ubs ub s tance tan ce myrr myrrh. h. Onyx ny x is a type ty pe of o f gem ge m. All All thes th esee thi th ings ng s are in in the t he land. land . Not Notee that this pas p asss age des d escr criibes what the world world was lik like before the Fall Fall, whe when n everyt e verything hing was perf pe rfect ect,, yet God God was tal t alk king abou ab outt gol go ld, aromatic aromatic res resiin, and an d gems gems . He He was s ayi ay ing, ng , “Adam “Ad am,, there’ the re’ss
richness chnes s in the th e land.” land.” Not Not onl o nly y do d o you y ou have us u s e of what what is is on the s urface urface of the land, land, such s uch as trees trees and fruit, uit, but you y ou als als o have us e of what what is is under und er the ground. ground . Someti Sometim mes, es , a person perso n has h as to work hard to get the riches that tha t are with withiin the t he land. an d. For exam example, ple, a frui fruitt gat g athe herer rer does do esn’t n’t work qui qu ite as hard as an oi o ilman does d oes in or o rder to get g et resul resu lts. ts . To To harvest harves t fr fruit, uit, he stays st ays on the t he surf s urface ace of the earth and picks picks fruit fruit off trees trees and an d pl p lants an ts.. However, However, to dril drill for oil oil, a perso pe rson n has h as to get reall eally di d irty. He has to dig dig deep d eep in the th e ground. groun d. It It tak ta kes time time and an d press p ress ure. Here’ Here’ss the th e les lesss on I thi th ink we we can draw from from thi th is : Thos Tho s e who are wil willing to work h ard, to go the th e extra extra mi mile, are are the ones who get deep d eep into into wealth. ealth. From From time time to ti t ime, the United United States has had to go begging beg ging the th e oil-r oil-riich cou c ount ntri ries es,, “Pl “Please, eas e, drop you y ourr prices prices.” .” With all the th e farm farms in Kans as and Nebraska eb raska and an d el e ls ewhere, Ameri America ca s till till needs need s oil oil. Why? Why ? Oil Oil is needed need ed to t o run the t he com co mbines bines that tha t reap the harvest h arvestss on the t he farm farms . Thos e who whoss e weal wealth th com co mes from under un der the gr g round ou nd s eem to rule ule thos th osee who gai g ain n their t heir wealth ealth from worki orking on the s urface urface of o f the earth. Let’s look oo k at anoth ano ther er exam example ple from from Genes en esiis that th at s hows ho ws us us that th at wealth wealth is inherent nh erent in land land.. What Wha t was God’s od ’s first first prom p romiis e to Abraham? The Lord had h ad s aid aid to Abram Ab ram,. ,... ..”G ”Go o to the th e land I wi will s how ho w you.”. yo u.”... ..Ab Abrram traveled traveled throug t hrough h the t he land land as far as the s ite of the great tree t ree of Moreh at Shech Sh echem em.. At tha t hatt time time the th e Can Canaan aaniites were in in the t he land. land . The The Lord Lord appea ap pearred to t o Abram A bram and s aid, aid, “To
your yo ur off o ffss pring I wi will give give thi th is land.”(G an d.”(Gen enes esiis 12: 12:1, 6–7) God made ad e the t he s ame ame prom p romiis e of o f inh inheri eritan tance ce of o f land land to Abr Ab raham’ aham’s s on Is aac (see Genes is 26:2–4) and grands on Jacob (see (se e Gen Genes esiis 28:10–15). –15). The The Lord cont co ntiinuall nu ally y remi remin ded de d them th em o f the land they were to inherit. God also reaffirmed this promise of land land to the th e Israeli Israelites throug th rough h Mos M os es. es . (See (See Ex Exodus od us 3:7–10, –10, 15–17.) In Genesis 13:15, God said the land would forever belong to Abr Ab raham’ aham’s des cendants cend ants . Even Even today, tod ay, in in the th e state s tate of o f Is rael, ael, land land is leased, eas ed, rather rathe r than s old, to the t he citiz citizen enss . No No pri p rivat vatee citiz citizen owns owns property. property. A person can build build and own a hous e, but he does n’t own own the th e property property upon u pon which hich it it stands s tands . The The governm go vernment ent ow o wns the land. It It is is cons con s idered God God’’s property and an d therefore is secured for Him. The previou previouss governm go vernment ent of the Bahamas Bahamas,, under und er col co loni on ialis alis m, was was the th e United Baham ah amiian Party. Overall, Overall, they th ey didn’t im impress pres s me, but they t hey did one on e thi th ing that th at im impress pres s ed me: me: They were were cons con s ciou ciouss of the val v alue ue of o f land. and . They They woul ou ld leas leasee land to peop p eoplle for for up to t o ni n inety-ni net y-nine ne year y earss , but they th ey s til till owned it. They s aid, aid, in in effect, effect, “You “You can make mon money ey off the land, and , but bu t you yo u don d on’’t ow o wn it.” it.” Have you yo u ever ev er won wondered dered why forei foreign gn inves tors want to buy b uy land in in your y our country? Thos e who who ow o wn the land are are the th e deci d eciss ionon -maker akerss . They are the th e ones o nes who influen nfluence ce poli p olicy cy and legisl egis lation, not no t tho t hoss e who work for them th em.. Acco Ac cordi rding ng to the th e bibli biblical record, therefore, therefore, land land s eems eems to be be God’s od ’s first first order of o f prosperi pros perity ty.. I think it’s it’s des irabl ab le for mos mos t
peop pe oplle to own land. land . Youn ou n g peo p eop p le, if if your yo ur parent pa rentss left you yo u land, and , don’ don ’t exchan exchange ge your yo ur perpetual inh inheri eritance tance for a pot po t of o f s oup. ou p. (See Gen Genes esiis 25: 25:29–34 29–34.) .) Live very ve ry si s imply, if if you yo u have ha ve to, to , but bu t keep the t he land lan d beca b ecaus us e there’s th ere’s wealth in it. it. My pr p rayer is is that tha t you yo u wil will truly truly und u nderstan erstand d the t he val v alue ue of o f land. and . My bel b elov oved ed fri friends end s , s ome ome of us have hav e been s o heavenly heav enly orient oriented ed that t hat we have practi p ractical callly forsak forsa ken the t he earth, ea rth, which which has been be en gi g iven ve n to t o us u s by God. od . Matth Matt h ew 5: 5:3–12 3–12 is called called the t he Beati eat itude tu dess . I like to cal c alll them th em the th e “atti “att itude tu dess to be.” b e.” In In oth o ther er words, ords , these thes e are the attitudes God wants you yo u to have hav e in in lif life. oti ot ice the t he atti att itude tu de in verse v erse five: five: “Bl “Bless es s ed are the meek, for they th ey wil will inheri nh erit... t....” .” What? Wh at? Heaven? Heaven ? No, according to t o Jes us , if if you’r yo u’ree meek, meek, you inheri nh eritt “the “th e earth” e arth” (v. 5). 5). Chris hris tians always always think in ter t erm ms of heaven heave n becaus b ecaus e that th at is where their their ffocu ocuss is . Yet God God didn’t create hum h umanity anity for heaven—He heav en—He creat created ed us u s to fulfi fulfilll His His purpos pu rpos es on earth. Meeknes s means ean s disci disc ipline pline or o r s elfelf-co cont ntrol rol.. If you yo u cont co ntrol rol your you r s pendi pend ing and don’ don ’t use us e your money money on o n things things that are autom auto matical aticallly goi g oing ng to depr dep reciate, eciate, and if you cut back on you y our r expens expens es and s tart tart putti pu tting ng your you r money money in the th e bank, then you can s ave up a ni n ice down d own paym pa yment ent for a piece of property. You You can own land if you yo u ex e xercis ercis e disci dis cipli pline ne and s elfelf-co cont ntrol rol in you y our r life. How do you y ou do this in practical practical terms terms ? Stop buyi bu ying ng lunch un ch every day when you yo u can tak ta ke your you r lunch un ch to work, work, and then t hen put p ut that exces excesss money on ey into into your yo ur savi sav ings ng s . Keep your yo ur Toy Toyota ota until u ntil you buy your you r property; property; then t hen you y ou can buy bu y a Lex Lexus us.. Put Put your y our
true pri p riori orities ties ahead ahe ad of any an y luxuri luxuries es and an d you y ou may be amaz amazed ed at how much much you can s ave tow to ward ard your y our vis vis ion’s goals goals . The Abil A biliity to Wor Wo rk The secon s econd d thi th ing throug t hrough h which which God God pr p rovi ov ides for our visions is our ou r work work. When Whe n you y ou deci de cide de to t o mov movee forward forward wi with your yo ur dream d ream,, it it wil will often ofte n take ta ke a great g reat amou amount nt of work. work. I define define work as the pas s ion that th at is is generated by a pur pu rpos e. Many peopl peo plee mi mis underst un derstand and the natur natu re of o f work work.. I’ I’ve heard peop pe oplle say s ay,, “I’m “I’m s o mad mad at a t Ada A dam m. Becaus eca us e Ada A dam m s in ned, ne d, now no w I have hav e to toi to il at a job.” They don’t do n’t reali realize that th at work was given to to humankind before the Fall: “The Lord God took the man and put pu t hi h im in the t he Garde Garden n of o f Eden de n to t o work it and an d take t ake care of [“cultivate” [“cultivate” nas ] it” it” (Gen (Genes esiis 2:15). Culti Cultiva vation tion involves nv olves both bo th creati creativi vity ty and eff effort. Work is not no t a cur cu rs e, but a great bl b less es s ing. ng . Genes en esiis 1:28 s ays ay s that th at God God bless bles s ed the t he male ale and an d femal femalee and an d gave gav e them th em dom do minion over o ver the th e earth. earth . He He bl b less es s ed them th em in al a ll thei th eir r dom do minion ass as s ignm gn ments en ts—i —includ ncludiing work work. The pri p rim mary reason reas on God gave ga ve us u s work is found foun d in Gene Geness is 2:2–3: By the th e seven s eventh th day d ay God God had finis nis hed the work he had h ad been be en doi do ing; ng ; so s o on the s eventh even th day d ay he rested res ted from from all all his his work. ork. And An d God bles blesss ed the th e seventh s eventh day and made it it hol h oly, y, because becaus e on it he rested res ted from all all the th e work work of creat creatiing that th at he h e had done. do ne. God Him Hims elf worked worked when He created create d the t he world, world, and an d He s till till works orks to carry carry out ou t His purpos pu rpos es. es . For exam example, ple, Pau Paull s aid aid in
Phili Philippi pp ians an s 2:13, 13, “It is is God who works works in you y ou to wil will and an d to act according according to t o hi h is good go od purpos p urpos e.” Becaus Becaus e you yo u are made made in in God’s od ’s image and likenes en esss , you yo u are des de s igned gn ed to work work. Rem Remem ember ber that th at work is meant ean t to include nclud e creativity creativity and an d cul cu ltivation, not no t drudgery. Anoth An other er sign signiificant aspect as pect of work work is that tha t it it reveals reveals your yo ur pote po tent ntiial. You canno can nott sho s how w what you y ou have ha ve ins ide un u n less es s demand demandss are mad madee on it, and demand demandss are placed placed on it by b y work. work. Moreover, work work needs need s to be kept in its proper place. place. The Bible says s ays that th at God God worked orked hard ha rd and completed completed His His work work, but bu t that He als als o s topped top ped His work and rested. es ted. He didn didn’’t work work s even days day s a week week just us t for the s ake ake of work workiing. ng . He He stop s topped ped when it was appr app ropriate, opriate, and He He has instr ns tructed ucted us to do d o the th e same. (See Exodus 20:9–10.) It is throug th rough h worshi worsh ip and an d com co mmuni un ion with God that th at hum hu mankind ankind receives eceives vis vis ion, on , vocati voca tion on,, and work. ork. Jesus Jesu s , the Second Adam Ad am,, seemed seemed to t o have h ave tw t wo favorite favorite words words that refl reflected ect ed God God’s ’s purpo p urposs es for hum hu mank an kind. nd . One of thos tho s e words words was Father. Fathe r. He was was always always talki talking about abo ut His His Father Fathe r in heav h eaven en and s eeking eeking His His presenc pres encee in in pr p rayer. ay er. The oth o ther er was was work work. For For exam exampl ple, e, cons ider thes e statem s tatement entss of Jes Jesus us:: “My food is to do do the th e wil will of Him Him who s ent en t Me, M e, and an d to t o finis finish h His His work” work” (John (Joh n 4:34 nkjv). nkjv). “My Father Fath er is is always always at hi h is work work to thi th is very ve ry day, day , and I, too, to o, am work working” ng ” (John 5:17). “As long on g as it is day, day , we we mus mus t do do the th e work of him who s ent me. Ni Night gh t is comi coming, ng , whe when n no n o one o ne can work” ork” (Joh (John n 9:4 9:4). “I have hav e brought broug ht you yo u gl g lory on o n ear e arth th by completi completing ng the th e work you yo u gave ga ve me to t o do” do ” (John 17:4).
Jesus Jesu s was intent nte nt on doi do ing His Father’s Father’s work to compl completi etion on.. We are to as pire pire to fulfi fulfilll God’s od ’s purpo p urposs es while hile developing de veloping and a nd usi us ing the gifts gifts and tal t alents ents He has given given us u s . We aren’ aren’tt to be lazy; azy; ins tead, we are are to have hav e vision visionss for our li lives and to be wil willing to work s o tha t hatt the t hey y can c an be fulfi fulfillled. ed . Our Our mot motiivation va tion for work is to complete complete the th e purpos pu rposes es for which which we were were created. created . Jesus said, said, I tell tell you yo u the t he truth, you yo u ar a re loo look king for me, me, not becaus becau s e you y ou s aw miraculous aculous s igns but becaus b ecausee you ate the loaves loaves and had h ad your yo ur fi fill. Do Do not n ot work work for food that th at s poi po ils , but for foo food d that t hat endures end ures to eternal ete rnal life, which the th e Son of Man wil will give you y ou.. (John 6:26–27) In oth o ther er words words , there’s there’s a higher reas reas on to work than th an s imply providing pro viding for phys ph ys ical needs need s . Again, Ag ain, don’t don ’t work work jus t to p ay bill bills . Don’t Don ’t work work onl on ly to t o buy b uy food. foo d. Underst Unde rstan and d the t he true t rue natu na ture re of work work.. In In the t he Garden arden,, there was was no s upervi up erviss or, no one o ne to hand han d out ou t paychecks. pay checks. Work was given to Adam A dam becaus becau s e it it was was a natu n atural ral part pa rt of his being. being . Through Throug h work, ork, he fulfi fulfillled part of his purpo pu rposs e as a hum hu man being b eing create crea ted d in God God’s ’s imag image. e. We have h ave been desi des igned to work work in s uch a way way that th at we can fashion as hion thi th ings ng s into s omething omething more more than they the y were were in in their t heir original original s tate. tat e. We are to multi multiply ply or enhanc enh ancee what we have hav e been be en gi g iven. ve n. In the th e parable pa rable of the talent t alentss , the man man traveli t raveling ng out ou t of the country cou ntry entr ent rusted us ted the t he fir firs t ser s ervan vantt with with five five talents, talents , the s econd eco nd with with two, and the th e thi th ird wi with one. on e. It It is is implied plied tha t hatt the th e man s aid aid to t o hi h is s ervants ervant s before he left, left, “Now, “Now, when I come come
back, ba ck, I don’t do n’t want to s ee just jus t the th e mon money ey I gave ga ve you y ou.. I want to to s ee an increase in my my investm inves tment.” ent.” When W hen the man returned, and the th e ser s ervant vant with with the th e one talent talent had done don e nothi noth ing to increase ncreas e hi h is master’ as ter’ss money, on ey, he was cal c allled “w “ wicked” and an d “lazy” (Matthew 25:26). If we’re still working at the same level we were were work working at ten t en years y ears ago a go and haven hav en’t ’t im improved prov ed at a t all, all, there’s there’s s omething omething wron wrong. g. Is n’t it it int interes eresting ting that th at the t he harder h arder you work, ork, the “luckier” “luckier” you yo u get? g et? Sometim Sometimes es,, you yo u hear h ear peopl peop le say s ay,, “You “You’r ’ree luc luck ky that th at you’r yo u’ree ri rich and an d succes s ucces s ful.” ul.” Unles nlesss the t he person pers on inherited inherited the t he money on ey,, that is n’t luck. luck. That’s That ’s hard h ard work work.. So So if you yo u want to t o get g et lucky, start s tart worki working hard. ha rd. Matth Mat thew ew 25 25:16, which which com c omes es from from the th e parabl p arablee of o f the talents , is a power po werful ful verse: ve rse: “The man man who had received received the th e five five tal t alent entss went at once o nce and put pu t hi h is money on ey to work and gained five five more.” ore.” How did the man gain more money? He put his original money to work, ork, and the th e mon money ey multipli ultiplied ed.. God God wants us to go to work to multi multiply ply Hi His kingdo ng dom m on earth throu t hrough gh our ou r visions . The Abi Ab ility to Cultiva ultivate te Thir Third, God God has given us u s the abil ability to cultivate cultivate things . “The Lord God God took to ok the th e man man and put pu t hi h im in the t he Garden of Ede Eden n to to work it and an d tak ta ke care of [cul [cu ltivate] tivat e] it” it” (Gen (Genes esiis 2:1 2:15). 5). It is interesti nteres ting ng to note no te that th at God God wanted hum hu mankind ankind to manage anag e and nur nu rture the vegetation. veg etation. God God prefers prefers cul cu ltivation tivation to t o barr b arrenn ennes esss and wilderness dernes s , and He has given us the abil ability to t o cul cu ltivate tivate as one on e way of reflect reflectiing His His image. ag e. Reca Recalll that tha t in Genes en esiis 1:2, God God
created created or culti cultivat vated ed the t he ear ea rth out ou t of o f a “form “formlless es s and empty empty”” state. The si s ituati tuat ion with mos t pi p ieces of property th at are current currentlly bei be ing deve de velloped op ed is tha t hatt the th e prope pro perty rty had h ad been b een there th ere a lon long g time, time, but no n o one o ne had h ad ever ev er done do ne any a nyth thiing abou ab outt it. it. For For exam example, ple, you may have hav e pass pas s ed by a piece piece of property property every day and never nev er thoug tho ught ht much much about abo ut it until you yo u saw s aw bul bu lldoz do zers ers and other oth er cons truction truction machinery achinery on o n the premi premis es. es . A large large part of the th e gift gift of o f cultiva cultivation tion is is the th e abili ability to t o see s ee poten po tential tial in what other oth erss view view as wastel as teland and.. Let me me tell you yo u the t he s tory to ry of Hog Hog Island in the th e Bah Baham amas as.. Years ago, ago , people peo ple us ed to dum d ump p garbage on o n the th e is is land, and , and the t he wild hogs ho gs there used us ed to s cavenge caven ge thr th rough ou gh all the mes messs . It definitel definitely y lived up to its name. name. There were were also als o wil wild dogs do gs roami oaming arou around nd.. No No sel s elff-respecting es pecting per p erss on wanted to be b e seen s een there. Then, Then , one on e day, day , s omeo omeone ne cam ca me to the t he Bahamas Bahamas,, flew flew over Hog Is land, and , and s aw s ometh omethiing there t here that no n o one on e els els e coul cou ld s ee. He He took to ok Hog Hog Island, cultiva cultivated ted it, and made made it product prod uctiive. ve . Today, Today , Hog Hog Isl Is land is a des tination tination for vacati vacat ioner on erss . It It has a new name. name. It’s It’s call called Paradise. Paradise. What Wh at a change! chan ge! Can Can any a nything thing goo g ood d come come out ou t of o f Hog Island? A ll it tak ta kes is s omeon omeonee to manage ana ge it. Suppos Suppo s e som s omeon eonee came came to you yo u and an d s aid, aid, “Loo “Look k, there’s there’s s ome ome land avai av aillabl ab le in our o ur claim claims in a rural area. Would Wo uld you y ou be interes nt erested ted in buy b uyiing it?” You You might gh t thi th ink that woul ou ld be b e a was waste te of tim time and an d mon money ey becaus b ecaus e you y ou woul ou ld pr p refer a pi p iece of o f
prope pro perty rty do d o wntown. wnto wn. Yet Yet tha t hatt woul wou ld sho s how w you yo u don d on’t ’t have hav e a vis vis ion for the future becaus becau s e dow do wntow nto wn is is alr already culti cultivat vated. ed. When Wh en the t he man man bou b ough ghtt Hog Isl Is land, and , he boug bo ught ht it for practi practical callly nothing no thing becaus b ecaus e the th e sel s elller fi figur gu red, “Oh, “Oh, it’s it’s just jus t hog h ogss . You You can have hav e it.” it.” The man man who boug bo ught ht it, how ho wever, didn didn’’t s ee only o nly hogs ho gs.. He saw s aw a res resort. ort. You can culti cultivate vate what is around you yo u and an d make ake it it a resou es ourrce for your yo ur vis vis ion. on . Tha That’s t’s what we are are doi do ing at Bahamas Bahamas Faith Faith Mini Miniss tries tries.. We bou b ough ghtt a pi p iece of barren barren land in the cente c enterr of the is land at a ver v ery y goo g ood d pr p rice, and we are turning turning it into into an international leadership center. God wants people who can dream dream and then th en act. Maybe your you r neighb neighborhood orhood us u s ed to be be residential residen tial,, but now n ow it’s it’s mai mainly nly a bus bu s ines s s trip. trip. You You don’t do n’t reali realize the th e pow po wer you hav h avee in in you y ourr hous ho us e in in term te rmss of a bus bu s ines ne s s . Dream Dream.. Think. Look. oo k. Open your yo ur eyes eye s . Yo Yo u could co uld move ov e into into an apar ap artm tment ent for a year, turn you y ourr hous e into into a bus bu s ines ne s s or res resta tauran urant, t, and an d th t h en buil b uild d anot an othe herr nice hou h ouss e out ou t of the proceeds of the bus bu s iness nes s . Cul Culti tivate vate what you own to further your yo ur vision vision.. The Abi A billity to Pres Preser erve ve and a nd Reser es erve ve for the Future Anoth An other er way way God God provides provides for your you r vis vis ion is by giving giving you yo u wis dom do m to preserve pres erve and an d reserve rese rve for the th e future. fut ure. For exam example, ple, Joseph was s ent to Egypt gyp t ahead of his his brothers brothers and hi h is father Jacob becau be causs e God God knew ne w a fami famine was com co ming, ng , and they t hey woul ou ld need to be preserved. When poverty po verty str st ruck the land, land, Jos Joseph’s eph’s fami amily would would need n eed a pl p lace to go to s urvive urvive and an d then t hen prosper pros per when he n ti t imes got go t bett b etter. er. There are people peo ple who whom m God calls calls to be
planters plant ers,, and an d God God wil will s end en d the t hem m ahead ah ead o f you yo u to t o prepare p repare the th e way for you. you . God will als als o put p ut things on reser es ervation vation for you yo u s o that, th at, when you yo u need n eed them t hem in the t he futur futu re, they’ll they’ll be there t here for for you. you . Don’t on ’t plan onl on ly for today tod ay,, but als als o for tom to morrow. orrow. Don Don’t ’t worr worry, y, but bu t pl p lan. an . In fact fact,, planning plan ning des de s troys troy s worry. worry. It’s when you yo u do d o n’t plan th t h at you y ou s tart ta rt worrying. worrying. We W e li live on o n the t he dail d aily y bread b read God God gives gives us, us , but He als als o wants us to plan plan for thing thingss . God God will bless bles s you yo u , and an d He wi will provide pro vide for the th e visi vis ion, on , if you yo u know kno w how ho w to put pu t things t hings on reservation es ervation for the th e future. futu re. For exam example, ple, God gave gav e Joseph Jos eph a reservation pl p lan dur du ring the fami amine. He was was able to harvest the grain grain dur du ring the th e seven s even year y earss of abun abundance dance and s tore it it for the year y earss of fam famiine s o that th at Egy Egypt pt and a nd the s urroun urroundi ding ng lands would ould have h ave food when the drought hit. hit. God knows no ws the th e future, futu re, and He wil will give you yo u insi ins ight gh t to put pu t thi th ings ng s on reserve rese rve for tim times when you y ou wil will need nee d them t hem.. For For instance, ns tance, when when you y ou put your you r money into s avings avings and inves nv estm tment entss , you put pu t it it on o n reser res erve ve whil while increas increasiing your yo ur capital capital becau be causs e you yo u know kno w that th at the t he need n eedss in you y ourr life wi will chan ch ange ge,, and an d you yo u want to be prepared prepa red finan financi cial allly for when when that th at ti t ime com co mes. es . I like what the th e mas master ter in in Jesus Jes us ’ parable parable said about abo ut the s ervant who took too k the one o ne talent he had h ad been b een gi g iven and a nd buri b uried ed it it in in the th e ground. groun d. He He sai s aid, d, ess es s enti ent iall ally, “You “You coul cou ld at least have hav e taken it it out of o f the ground and put p ut it it in in the bank b ank and gotten g otten s ome ome interes nt erestt on o n it.” (See Mat M atth thew ew 25 25:14–27 14–27.) .) God wil will bles blesss you yo u when you yo u put pu t things things on reserve. reserve. The Abi Ab ility to t o Pass Along Weal W ealth th
Anoth An other er way way God God provides provides for vis vis ion is by enabl enab ling you yo u to help fut future ure generati gen eration onss with with the t heiir dreams dreams . God does do esn’t n’t want onl on ly you y ou to enj en joy the wealth; ealth; He wants wants your yo ur chil children and grandchi grandch ildren to enjoy it, it, too. too . “A good go od man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). What about abo ut your yo ur great-grandch great-grandchiildren? The great-grandch great-grandchiildren of o f the th e man man who dev d evel elop oped ed Hog Isl Is land will inheri nh eritt “Par “ Paradis adise.” e.” What Wh at is is you y ourr vis vis ion of o f inher nh eriitance tan ce for for your descend des cendants ants ? God wants an ts us to thi th ink generati gen eration onal allly. He He is is always always thi th inking nking and s peak pea king in gen g enerati eration onal al terms terms . Therefore, Therefore, when He spe s peak akss to you y ou,, He is is al a ls o talki talking of o f your yo ur descend des cendants ants or the generati gen eration onss that th at wil will foll follow ow you. yo u. God God gives wealth wealth in gener gen erati ation onss , and that t hat is is why you y ourr planning planning and an d reservation reservation for the future must include this consideration, as well. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion Has your yo ur defi definiti nition on of pros prosperi perity ty chang ch anged ed as a resul es ultt of reading reading thi th is chapter? chap ter? Why or o r why not? n ot? What Wh at resources reso urces do d o you y ou need to fulf ulfill your yo ur vis vis ion? on ? Lis t them th em,, and then t hen trust trus t God God to provi prov ide for all all the th e needs of your vis vis ion as He has promi promis ed to do. How wi will you yo u us u s e the th e inform information ation in this t his chapt cha pter er to purs pu rsue ue prov p roviis ion for your yo ur visi vis ion? on ?
Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. It is our o ur job to t o unde un derst rstand and,, believe believe,, and an d wri write te
down do wn our ou r vis vis ions on s , whil whilee it is is God’s od ’s respo res pons ns ibili bility to accom acco mplis plis h the t hem m. 2. God of o ften gi g ives ve s us u s dream d reamss that t hat initial initiallly confoun con found d us becaus becau s e He He wants wants to mak makee sure s ure we we don’t do n’t atte at tem mp t to fulfi fulfill them th em apart ap art fro fro m Him Him. 3. God wil will never nev er give you yo u a vision with withou outt the th e provis pro visiion for it. 4. The abi ab ility and an d resources reso urces are avai ava ilable for for what what you yo u were were born to do, do , yet you y ourr provision provision is us ually ually hidden hidden unti unt il you act on your you r vis vis ion. 5. God has h as already already bl b less es s ed us with ever eve ry spir s piriitual bless bles s ing in the t he heav h eaven enlly pl p laces ace s . 6. Pros Pros perity perity does do esn’t n’t mean mean that th at tomorr tomorrow’ ow’ss need ne ed is is met today to day;; it it means means that tha t today to day’’s need is met today. 7. True True pros peri pe rity ty mean meanss to t o be free free of worry orry and fear. It ref refllects a state st ate of conten con tentedn tednes esss that t hat everythi everyth ing neces s ary ary is is being taken care care of. 8. God has des igned gn ed every pur pu rpos po s e wi with its its ow o wn pros pro s peri pe rity ty.. 9. Sometim Sometimes es,, God doe d oess n’t give give us all all the th e res resou ourrces we need ne ed to t o fulfi fulfilll our ou r visions becau bec auss e He He has call called other oth er peopl peop le to provide them the m for us. us .
10. Your ou r obedience ob edience to your you r vision affects affects not no t only your yo ur li life, but bu t also als o the t he lives ve s of thos th os e who wil will work with you. yo u. 11. When Wh en we we go to heaven, heav en, mos mostt of us are are going going to be be s hocked hocked at what was was ours for use us e on earth earth that th at we we never nev er asked for. for. 12. Five Five spec s peciific fic ways that th at God God provides p rovides the th e resources reso urces to fulfi ulfill our ou r vis vis ions on s are (1 (1) land land and its inherent nh erent wealth wealth,, (2) (2) the th e abi ab ility to work, work, (3 (3) the th e abi ab ility to cultiva cultivate, te, (4) (4) the abi ab ility to preserve pres erve and an d reserve rese rve for for the future, futu re, and an d (5) (5) the th e abi ab ility to t o pas p asss alon along g wealth wealth (generati (gene ration onal al wealth). wealth).
Chapter hap ter Thi Th irteen
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #10: Use Persi P ersi stence in i n Ach chii evi evi ng the Vi Vi sion si on Every true t rue vision wil will be tes t ested ted for authen aut hentici ticity ty..
The tent te nth h pri p rincipl nciplee is is that th at we mus mus t be persist p ersistent ent if we are going going to achieve achieve the th e vis vis ions God has given given us. us . As I wr wrote earli earlier, you yo u mus mus t reali realize that th at obs o bs tacl tac les are goi go ing to come come agains againstt you yo u and your you r vis vis ion. Even Even thou t hough gh God gave g ave the vis vis ion, that does n’t mean mean it’ it’ss going going to be b e easy eas y to obtain. Pleas Pleasee don d on’t ’t thi th ink that th at you yo u are exem exempt pt from from thi th is reali reality. ty . Trou Trouble ble is n’t goi go ing to s ay abou ab outt you y ou,, “I gues gu esss I’ll jus t leave leave him him alon alone.” e.” When you decide decide to be som s omebod ebody, y, everything everything is is going to try to get in the t he way of o f your vis vis ion. on . You You must us t be b e prepared for the chal cha llenges eng es,, for for they th ey are a re comi coming. ng . Think abou ab outt it: it: There’s no n o resi res is tance tan ce if if you’r yo u’ree not no t mov moviing. ng . People People who aren’t aren’t doi do ing anything any thing have h ave noth n othiing to worry worry about. abo ut. If If you yo u don’t do n’t want want pr p robl ob lems ems , jus justt don’t do n’t do anyth an ythiing importan po rtantt in life. life. Howev However, er, if if you yo u are followi following ng you yo u r vis vis io n and a nd you yo u encou en counte nterr problem problemss , you can s ay, “Thank you, yo u, Lord; Lord; at least I’m moving forward!” God s ays that, tha t, even tho t houg ugh h there t here wi will be times times of str st ress es s , disapp disa ppointm ointment ent,, and press p ress ure, the vi v is ion wil will com co me to pas p asss . It It is is not no t a matter att er of whet whether her it’s it’s goi go ing to be fulfi fulfillled; ed ; it’s it’s a matt matter er of wheth he ther er we’re we’re goi go ing to be true t rue to it in in the t he mi mids t of o f trial trialss s o that t hat God can br b ring it to pas s . One One of o f the words that t hat des d escri cribes bes the ess es s ence of o f God’ od ’s natur natu re is is faithful aithfulnes nes s . Thi Thiss is becaus becau s e He He is is
true to what He He has decided to accom acc ompli pliss h, and noth n othiing can c an s top to p Him Him. We need ne ed to t o manif manifes estt thi th is characteri ch aracteriss tic in in our o ur own lives. Another Ano ther word word that hel h elps ps us under und erss tand God’s nature in in relati elation on to t o persi pers is tence in purpos e is is the t he word word stead s teadffast. as t. To To be s teadfas teadfas t means means to stand s tand fast or stand stan d steady s teady in in the face of resi es is tance. tanc e. If you yo u are s teadf tead fast, as t, then, when when opp o ppos os ition tion com co mes, es , you yo u don’t do n’t turn and g o back bac k where you were. were. You You pus p us h forwar orward. d. Opp Oppos osiition tion s hould ho uld str st rengthen eng then your yo ur res resol olve ve and an d revive revive your stamina. Courage ou rage is is anot an other her key key word in in regard to persi pers is tence. ten ce. It It is is the th e abi ab ility to s tand tan d up u p in the th e face of fear. fear. It It is impo imposs s ible, in fact, to have h ave courage co urage witho without ut fear. In a s ens e, if if we we don’t do n’t have hav e any fear, we’re not living in faith. That may sound like a s trange statem s tatement ent,, yet faith faith always always demand demandss that we do s omething omething we kno know w we we can’t do on our ou r own, own, and this challeng challengee often caus es us to fear at fi firs t. God God told Joshu Jos hua, a, “Be “Be s trong and an d courageou co urageouss ” (Jos (Joshu huaa 1: 1:6, 9) 9). Why Wh y did He He say s ay that? th at? Clearly, early, Joshu Jos huaa mus mus t hav h avee been be en s cared! Fear, Fear, however, ho wever, is a pos po s itive thing t hing when it gives birth birth to courag co urage. e. If If you’re yo u’re afraid afraid to s tep out o ut in in your yo ur vis vis ion becaus b ecausee it’ it’ss s o bi b ig, then let let your yo ur courage cou rage com co me to life as you yo u trus t rustt God God.. Cou Courage rage mean meanss , “I’m “I’m afrai afraid, d, but bu t I’m I’m s till till movi ov ing.” ng .” Jes Jesus us loves ov es for us to do the th e impos po s s ible ble becaus b ecaus e the t he impos po s s ible ble is alw always pos po s s ible ble with with Go d . (See Mat M atth thew ew 19: 19:26.) 26.) When Wh en a per pe rs on finds nd s his pur pu rpos po s e, then, if if trouble comes comes,, he can s mile and an d s ay, “Thi “Th is won’t on ’t las last. t. With God God,, I’m I’m toug to ugher her
than thi t hiss .” When Wh en you yo u dr d raw on God’s God’s s trength trength,, you are tougher than th an you y ourr trial trialss becaus bec aus e you yo u see s ee them th em in a di d ifferent fferent ligh light. t. You You reali ealize that every res resiis tance to t o your yo ur vis vis ion gives gives you yo u the th e opportunity to become wiser, not weaker. Let every opposition s trengthen trength en you y ou rather than s top you. yo u. Paul Paul s aid aid that th at trial trialss refine efine our ou r faith faith and make us better. bet ter. That That is why we can s ay, “Bri “Bring ng on the chal c halllenges eng es!!” Overcom Overco ming Chal ha lleng en g es There are are many many types typ es of chall challenges eng es and press ures in li life. During uring His tim time on earth, earth, Jesus Jes us s how ho wed us u s how ho w to bring bring a vis vis ion to pas s in the t he mids t of o f such su ch chal c halllenges eng es.. He He faced s imilar problem pro blemss and an d ob o b s tacles ta cles to t o what you yo u and an d I face face tod t oday ay,, yet His His vis vis ion came came to pas s . He He is is our ou r greates greatestt Teacher Teach er when when it com co mes to learning earning how ho w to overcom o vercomee chal ch alllenges eng es.. Diff Diffiicul cu lt Fami Family Backgrou ac kgroun nd Life is is tough tou gh even at the th e start s tart for for som so me of us. us . Perhaps Perhaps your yo ur parent pa rentss were were divorced divo rced when whe n you y ou were were jus jus t a chi ch ild. Mayb Ma ybee your yo ur father is is an alcoholi alcoh olicc and an d you y ourr mother ot her is is a drug add a ddiict. Perhap Perhapss you yo u aren’t even s ure who who your yo ur fath father er is is . Or Or if if you know no w who who he is , you wis h you y ou didn didn’’t. Jesus Jesu s know no ws what it feels feels like to have hav e a difficult family background, because He was called “il “illegitim egitimate.” ate .” He He was born bo rn under un der what the th e world world cons con s idered de red “ques “qu estionab tionablle ci c ircums rcums tances tan ces.” .” (See (See Matth Mat thew ew 1: 1:18–25.) –25.) Yet that th at did not n ot s top to p Him Him from from knowing knowing His His relat relatiio ns hip to t o His His heave hea venly nly Father Fathe r and fulfi fulfilling His purpos pu rpos e as God’s od ’s Son. Son . No No matter what you y ourr backgroun background d is , your you r rel relati ation onss hip wi with your yo ur
Father in heav h eaven en will help help you yo u overcom ov ercomee you y ourr diff diffiicul cu lt circum circumss tances tan ces and an d fulfi fulfilll your yo ur pur pu rpos po s e as God’ od ’s chi ch ild. Famil Family y Exp ecta ec tation tionss Do you y ou feel press ured by b y fami family expect expectati ation onss to pur pu rs ue a certain certain career ca reer or li lifestyle fest yle whe when n you y ou know no w that is n’t God God’s ’s pl p lan for you? yo u? You You don’t do n’t alw always ay s have ha ve to t o wait wait until un til you’r yo u’ree older or “have it all together” before you know God’s will for your life. Perhap Perhapss you y ourr parents have hav e told told you, yo u, “You “You are going to do do this,” but you yo u feel call called to t o do d o s ometh omethiing els els e. Jes Jesus us faced a s imilar chall ch allen enge ge.. When Wh en He was was twelve, He kn kn ew wha whatt He was born bo rn to do. d o. Yet Yet Jes us ’ earthl earth ly paren p arents ts didn’t didn ’t und un d ersta ers tan n d His His vision or o r why He was was pursu pu rsuiing it, even when He sai s aid, d, “Didn “Didn’t ’t you yo u know kno w I had to t o be b e in in my my Father’ Fath er’ss hous ho us e?” (Luke (Luke 2: 2:49; s ee verse vers e 50). 50). Then, Then , whe when n Jes us grew older, older, Hi His mothe ot herr tri tried to pus pu s h Him Him into nt o fulfi fulfilling His His visi vis ion premat prematurely, urely, and He had h ad to to tell her, he r, “My time time has h as not no t yet y et come” come” (John 2:4). Even ve n tho t houg ugh h Jesus Jesu s respect es pected ed and hono ho norred His parents (s ee Luke Luke 2: 2:51–52) –52), He had to foll follow God God’s ’s purp p urpos os e for Hi His life. A s diffi difficu cullt as a s it might gh t be b e to expe experi rien ence ce the t he disap dis appro prov v al of fami family mem membe bers, rs, you y ou mus t foll follow the vision God God has ha s given you y ou.. At the th e sam s amee time, time, you s houl hou ld alw always s how them love and respect. esp ect. The Jealou Jealouss y and Schemi Scheming of Others Others Jesus Jesu s went through throug h ever ev eryth ythiing you yo u can imagine. There There wer weree peop pe oplle who were agai aga in s t Him Him, who who cont co ntiin ual ua lly sch s chem emed ed to to make Him fail. There were those who liked to set Him up for a fall fall by ask as king Him trick trick ques qu estions tions . A crowd once on ce tried tried to t o pus p us h
Him off a cliff. The religious leaders plotted to kill Him. Do you think peopl peo plee call you yo u names names?? They call called Jesus Jesu s names names,, too. too . They called called Him Him demon demon-pos -posss ess es s ed and an d ill illegitim egitimate. ate . They s aid aid He was a gl g lutto ut ton n and a nd a drunkar d runkard. d. They hit Him Him with everyth everythiing. The harshest harsh est taunt and the hi h ighes t evil, evil, however however,, was when the t hey y s aid aid He was was full full of the dev d eviil. How did did Jesus Jes us overcom ov ercome? e? How did did He succ s ucceed eed in His His vision? How did He fi finish the th e work the th e Father Fath er had s ent Him Him to do when He faced all all that oppo op poss ition tion?? Jesus Jes us was able able to remai emain n compo composs ed throug t hrough h all thos tho s e trial trialss becaus becau s e what He had in Hi His heart was was bigg bigger er than all all their threats, threats , accusati accus ation onss , and ins insul ults ts.. He kne knew w how ho w to perse pe rseve vere re wi with a dream d ream.. Li Likewi kewis e, the th e vi v is ion in your you r heart heart needs need s to be lar larger ger than any oppos opp osiition tion that comes comes agains againstt you yo u s o you y ou can pers pers is t in in your yo ur li life’s e’s purpose. purpos e. Desti Dest iny Deman emands ds Dil Diligence gen ce Destiny es tiny dem d eman ands ds dili diligence ge nce.. I recomm recommend that th at you y ou write rite that t hat s tatement tatement down d own on a pi p iece of paper and put p ut it where where you can ca n s ee it it ever ev ery y day. d ay. If If you yo u are going to qui qu it after a coupl cou plee of figh fights ts,, you wil will never ne ver win. win. Pers Pers is tence ten ce is the t he des ire to withstand every opposition. Whenever obstacles come along, persis pe rsiste tenc ncee respo res pond ndss with with attitu at titude dess s uch uc h as thes th ese: e: “You “You might gh t as well well give up, up , becau be causs e I’m I’m not no t going g oing to s top.” to p.” “Get “Get out o ut of my my way, ay , becaus becau s e I’m I’m comi coming thr th rough ou gh.” .” “No mat matte terr wha whatt I lo lo s e, I sti st ill have ha ve me, so s o I’ll I’ll b e back!” b ack!” Pers Pers is tence ten ce says s ays to life wha whatt Jacob Jaco b s aid aid to t o the t he Lord: Lord: “I wi will
not no t let let you y ou go unl un less es s you yo u bl b less es s me” (Gene (Geness is 32:26). Nehemi Nehemiah cou c oulld hav h avee sto s topp pped ed hi h is work on the th e wall wall of Jerus Jerus alem alem becaus bec aus e of all all the th e probl prob lems ems , slander, sland er, and jeers, eers , but he was persistent. persisten t. He He was deter det erm mined to compl complete ete hi h is vis vis ion. on . You will never nev er be s ucces s ful unles unlesss you yo u have h ave the t he s pir pirit of o f persis pe rsiste tenc nce. e. Pers Persiis tenc te ncee mean meanss that th at you insi ns is t on o n havi h aving ng what you are are goi go ing after after.. you s tand up agains againstt resis resis tance unti un till you wear it down. you yo u mak makee peopl peo plee who are agains againstt you y ou s o ti t ired of o f fighting that tha t they th ey either become become your yo ur fr friends end s or leave leave you y ou alone. you s top only after after you’ve fi finis nis hed. How badly badly do d o you y ou want your y our vis vis ion? Jesus told told a s tory in in Luke 18 18 about abo ut a per pe rs is tent ten t woman woman.. She She ti t ireles relesss ly appe ap peal aled ed to to the judge ud ge with with her requ reques estt for jus jus tice tice unti un till he s aid, aid, in in es s ence, “Gi “Give it to t o her! h er!”” (See Luke Luke 18: 18:2– 8.) God wants want s you yo u to do the th e s ame. ame. He He wants want s you yo u to t o s ay, ay , “Li “Life, thi th is bel be longs on gs to me.” If Life refus efuses es on o n Monday, Mon day, then go back b ack on Tuesday Tues day and s ay, “Thi “Thiss bel be long on g s to me.” If Life says sa ys no on Tues Tue s day, da y, then th en go g o back b ack on Wednes Wed nesday day and a nd s ay, “This “This bel b elon ongs gs to me! me!”” If If Life says s ays no on on Thursday, Thursd ay, go back b ack on Fri Friday morning orning and s ay the th e sam s amee thi th ing, ng , and s o on. o n. Li Life wi will event eve ntuall ually y s ay, ay , “Here, “Here, take take it!” it!” Then you yo u can calm calmly s ay, “Thank “Than k you yo u very much much.” .” Many people peo ple los los e
becau be causs e they th ey quit q uit when Li Life says sa ys no the th e first first time, time, but bu t persis pe rsiste tent nt p eople eo ple wi win. They The y nev n ever er take no for an an s wer when it com co mes to their vis vis ions on s . Stay in the Figh Fightt Once, nc e, when when I was s tayi tay ing at a hot h otel el in Israel Is rael,, I coul cou ldn’t dn ’t s leep becaus b ecaus e I was wasn’t n’t yet us u s ed to t o the th e tim time diff difference. erence. At about abo ut two in in the t he morning, morning, I was up watching atc hing a box b oxiing match atc h on on televis televis ion. on . It It was a tw t welve elve--round roun d ti t itle matc match, h, and an d the t he box bo xer from from Mex Me xico was pum pu mmeling eling the th e box b oxer er from from the th e United States Stat es.. Ev Ev ery time the American boxer moved forward to fight, the other box bo xer poun po unde ded d hi h im. By the t he s ixth round, roun d, the th e U.S. U.S. box bo xer was was getting ge tting beat b eaten en badly, b adly, and at a t the th e end of o f the round, roun d, he stum s tumbled bled back into his corner, s at dow do wn on o n the th e stool, s tool, and s agged as if he were were a sack s ack of pota po tato toes es.. Then The n I saw sa w s omet omething hing happ ha ppen en.. In seco s econd ndss , s everal ev eral men went en t to t o work on him. him. One One grabbe g rabbed d a bucket bu cket of wate waterr and dous do used ed him him with it. The nex n extt gr g rabbed abb ed a s oaking oaking--wet s pong po ngee and s queez qu eezed ed water all all over ov er his face. Anot An other her appl app lied oi o intm nt ment to s ooth oo thee his wound wou ndss . The Thess e men men were all all talki talking to him at once, on ce, and they were ere rubbi rubb ing him him dow do wn as they talk talked. Even Even thou th ough gh he was gett ge ttiing trounc trou nced, ed, they th ey were were telli telling him, him, “You “You can do thi th is . You You can get ge t back b ack out there. th ere. You’r ou ’ree stron s trong! g! You You’r ’ree bett be tter er than tha n he h e is is !” One One of o f the th e men men s aid, “Keep “Keep y our ou r left hook, ho ok, okay? Keep your yo ur left left hook. ho ok. He’s He’s a sl s low left. left. You You can get ge t hi h im with that th at left.” left.” Af A fter about abo ut two mi minutes nu tes , the box b oxer er jum jumpe ped d up, u p, s aying, aying , “Yeah “Yeah!! Oh, yeah!” ye ah!” He ran ran back b ack out the t here, re, and an d everyth everythiing changed chan ged in in the s eventh round. round .
Guess ues s who won the fight fight?? The one who had been about ab out to qui qu it in in the t he s ixth round roun d won the t he figh fightt and an d receive received d the th e priz prize. There was bloo blood d ever eve rywhere, but bu t under un der that blood was the th e champi champion on.. When he won the decision decision,, all all his his s trength came came back. ba ck. He ran ran arou a roun n d the t he room roo m s creami creamin g. Whe W hen n yo y o u win, win, you yo u forget all the poun po undi ding ng you yo u received received dur du ring the fight. gh t. Sometim Sometimes es,, you yo u wil will get ge t beat b eaten en up pretty prett y bad b adlly in life, life, but bu t s tay in the t he fight. gh t. Fi Fight gh t until u ntil you yo u feel the joy of victory. victory. When Wh en you yo u thi th ink you’re you’re goi go ing to lose, lose , and you yo u stum s tumble ble back into into the corner co rner of li life, the Lord wil will com co me and an d pour po ur the th e cool co ol wat water er of His His Word Wo rd on your yo ur head. he ad. He wi will take the th e oi o intm nt ment of the th e Holy Holy Spiri Spirit and bring bring heal hea ling to your yo ur wounds woun ds . He He wil will rub life life back int into o your yo ur spi sp irit so s o you y ou can jump jump back b ack out and an d s ay, “Hey! “Hey! Com Comee on, on , Life!” fe!” Jus Ju s t like like the th e box b oxer’ er’ss coach co achiing team te am,, the th e Holy Spi Sp irit rit s peaks good go od things t hings into your yo ur spi sp irit, such su ch as “Gr “Greater is is he h e that is in you, yo u, th t h an he that th at is in the th e world” world” (1 John Joh n 4:4 4:4 kj kjv). Li Life wil will be tou t oug g h, but bu t get g et back b ack out ou t there th ere and s tart ta rt throwi th rowing ng blows. blows . Keep you y ourr left eft up. up . That’s That’s persistence. persisten ce. We know that God God wants ant s us to be b e fi fighters gh ters becaus b ecaus e the Bi Bible ble calls calls us s oldiers. (See 2 Ti Timothy ot hy 2:3– 4.) W e are warri warriors. ors . We are are peopl peo plee of battl bat tle. e. The The Bibl Biblee als als o refer referss to us as thos tho s e who “wres “wrestle” tle” (E (Ephes ph esiians an s 6:12 nkjv). nkjv). This This is becau b ecauss e we don’t do n’t jus jus t receive med medals als from God. od . We earn them th em.. If If God God d idn’t dn ’t want you yo u to fight, gh t, He He would would have h ave given given you yo u the medal wi without tho ut the conflict. The Bi Bible ble says s ays , “They overcam o vercamee hi h im by the bloo blood d of the Lamb amb and a nd by the th e word of o f thei the ir testim tes timon ony” y” (Rev (Revelation elation 12: 12:11). 11).
Some Some peop pe oplle don’t do n’t have ha ve a tes t estim timon ony y of o f overcom ov ercomiing. ng . Their Their testi tes tim mony on y is, “I went went through throug h the fire, and I got bur bu rned. ned . I went under un der the th e water and alm almos t drow d rowned ned.. I have hav e scars s cars in my my life! life! Let me me tes tif tify abou ab outt how h ow I’ I’ve been b een beaten b eaten up.” up .” Other Other peopl peo plee are are so s o spi s pirritually tually “clean-cut” “clean-cut” that th at you yo u know they have hav e never nev er yet had ha d a s crim crimmage with the th e devil de vil.. Yet Yet tho t hoss e who have h ave a true testi tes tim mony on y us u s ually ually don’t do n’t even have h ave to talk talk about abo ut it becaus e it it is is evident eviden t in thei th eirr li lives . You may have h ave many many bum bu mps and bruis bruis es, es , but keep on on walk alking tow to ward your yo ur goal go al,, trus trus ting in in God God.. It’s It’s going g oing to t o get g et tough, toug h, but you have what it it takes takes to win becaus b ecausee God God has prom pro mis ed th t h at He wi will s tay ta y with with y ou and an d work out ou t the th e ste s tep p s of your yo ur pl p lan. an . I like what wha t Paul Pau l s aid in in Roman Romanss 8: Who Wh o s hall s eparate ep arate us from the th e lov lovee of Chri Chriss t? Shall trouble trou ble or hardshi hards hip p or o r pers pers ecuti ecut ion or fam famiine or o r nakedn nakednes esss or danger dang er or s word?... word?...N No, in in all thes th esee thi th ings ng s we are are more more than th an con c onqu querors erors through throug h Him Him who loved us u s [and called called us and gave g ave us u s our o ur visi vis io ns ].(vv ].(vv.. 35, 35, 37) 37) God has put pu t s o much much in you yo u that t hat if you are wi willing to capture capt ure it, nothing nothing can s top you. you . There There is is not enough enou gh dar d ark kness nes s in the th e world orld to t o extingu extinguiis h the t he ligh lightt God God has put pu t with withiin you y ou.. The The ligh lightt of God God’’s vision vision in you y ourr heart heart is is s o strong s trong and brigh brightt that th at all all the darknes darknes s of the pl p lanet, anet , all all the darknes darknes s of peopl peop le’s e’s opi op inion nionss , and all all the darknes darknes s of past pas t fail failures can ca n never n ever put it out. ou t. Bear Up Up und u nder er Press Press ure Pers Pers everance actual actu allly means means “to bear up und u nder er press ure.” ure.” I
like this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, which actually applies to all all peopl peop le: “A woman woman is like a tea bag. bag . You You never nev er kno know w how s trong tron g it is until un til it’s in hot ho t water. wate r.”” Here’s Here’s a s imilar analogy: analog y: People People who are succes su ccesss ful are are li like tea bags b ags . When they the y get g et in in hot ho t water, they the y make ake tea. t ea. When Wh en life s queez qu eezes es them the m, they don’t do n’t beco be com me angry an gry;; they th ey do d o som s omet ething hing cons co ns tructive truc tive with with the th e press pres s ure. They perse pe rseve vere re under und er it it and an d us u s e it it for thei the ir own bene be nefi fit. t. Peopl Peop le who hav h avee visi vis ion are stron s tronge gerr than th an the t he pres p resss ure life bri b ring ngss . I have dis dis covered that s ometi ometim mes you don’ don ’t get g et the s cent from from the th e rose ros e until un til you yo u crus h it. In order to draw d raw the th e frag fragrance rance of His His glory from y our ou r li life, God God wil will allow allow you y ou to be p ut unde un der r s tress . We forget forget too to o eas ily that th at char ch aracter acter is is formed ormed by by press pres s ure. The purp p urpos os e of press pres s ure is is to get ge t rid rid of o f what is no n o t of o f God and to leave what is pur pu re gol go ld. Perhap Perhapss you’r yo u’ree in in the t he fire righ rightt now. n ow. It’s a good go od place place to be. Go ahead ah ead and an d mak makee tea. tea . Surpri Surpriss e your yo ur enem ene mies with with the th e scen s centt of God God.. Let Let them th em press pres s ure you y ou to releas releasee His His glory. No No matter att er what ha t peop pe oplle may may s ay abou ab outt you, yo u, don’t do n’t retali retaliate. ate . Let them t hem talk about abo ut you yo u on o n you y ourr job job.. It It does d oesn’t n’t matter matter what what they think. think. You You can s mile, kno knowi wing ng that th at you y ou wil will come come throug th rough h the t he s ituation. tu ation. The Scri Scriptur ptu res s ay it it is is not no t thos th os e who who are sw s wift, but tho t hoss e who who endure end ure to the t he end, en d, who who s ucceed ucc eed.. (See (See Matth Mat thew ew 24:13; Mark 13:1 13:13; 3; Jam Ja mes 5:11.) 5:11.) Therefore, Therefore, don’t run—stay run—s tay in the fight! gh t! There There is no stoppi sto pping ng a per p erso son n who understand understandss that press press ure ure is is good for him him because becaus e press ure is is one of the keys keys to pers pers everance. everance.
Accept the th e Cos Costt Let me me conf con fess es s s ometh omethiing to you: yo u: I wis h I didn didn’’t have h ave to t o be be doi do ing what I’m doi do ing. ng . I didn’t say s ay that I don’ don ’t want to. t o. I said I wis h I didn didn’’t have hav e to. to . That That is not no t a negative ne gative statem s tatement, ent, jus jus t a reali realis tic one, becaus bec aus e I know no w what the th e cos t of my my vi v is ion is goi go ing to be. In the th e nex ne xt twenty t wenty or thi th irty years y ears of my my life, life, I kno know w the cos co s t is is goi go ing to be b e high high.. That’s why I thank God God that, that , earlier in my life, I had the privilege of observing firsthand the cost cos t to anothe ano therr vis vis ionar on ary, y, who who told me, me, “Myles “Myles,, my my s on, on , get ready for the pri p rice.” ce.” Becau Becauss e of that tha t experi experien ence, ce, I have ha ve been b een prepared prep ared to t o accep ac ceptt the th e cos co s t. A t ti t imes, es , you yo u wil will fi find it di d iffi fficul cu lt to t o remain remain in you y ourr vision. vision . I underst un derstand and.. It’s It’s tough tou gh for me me to s tay in mi mine. The dem d emand andss that th at God God is maki aking on my mi ministry nist ry are high becau b ecauss e the t he call requires requires it. There’s a pri p rice. ce. Vi Vis ion always always demand demandss a cos co s t. Someon Someonee has h as to pay the price. price. Are you willing to do it? We We need to be like Paul, Paul, who who was obedi ob edient ent to the vis vis ion God had given hi h im to do, do , even at great g reat sacri s acrifi fice. ce. Tested Tes ted for Authen Au thenti tici city ty Every true t rue visi vis ion wil will be tes ted for auth au thent entiicity city.. If If your you r vision is auth au then entic, tic, life is is goi go ing to try it, it, jus jus t to make sure. su re. Don’t on ’t be afraid afraid when you yo u mak makee a decl d eclarati aration on of wha whatt you y ou’r ’ree goi go ing to do in life life and di d iffi fficul cu lty foll follows; ows ; it it com co mes to tes t you y our r resol reso lve. Al A ll of us wil will encou en count nter er cri cris es in life, life, but bu t thes t hes e cris cris es don’t do n’t have to t o be s etback etb ackss . We sho s hould uld real realiize that a cri cris is can be a turn t urniing p oint at a t which our ou r u nders nd ersta tand ndiing o f and an d
comm commitment tment to the th e vision is tes t ested ted and matured. atu red. A cris cris is can lead us u s to gr g reater chall challenge eng e and victo victorry. If a vis vis ion is s topped top ped or termi terminated by trial trialss or tests tes ts,, then perhap pe rhapss it was not no t really really a vi v is ion from from God. od . Kno Knowi wing ng thi th is truth trut h can help you when you y ou are cons idering dering whether wheth er or not to beco be com me part pa rt of a corporate corpo rate vi v is ion. on . Be Be careful not no t to beco be com me involved nv olved in sup s uperf erfiicial cial enterpri ent erpriss es. es . Check he ck thi th ings ng s out ou t beforeha be forehand nd.. Put the t he vi v is ion to the th e tes te s t. Ready to Face the th e Opp Oppos osiition tion When God s howed Abraham the land land that th at his his descendants des cendants woul ou ld inherit, inherit, He He tol to ld hi h im that th at everyth ev erythiing as far as he cou c oulld s ee would be his his . However, However, the land was full of Moabi Moab ites, tes , Hitti tt ites , Caan Caanan aniites , and Amori Amorites tes —the Israeli Israelites ’ ffut uture ure enemies! Likewise, whenever God shows us a vision, it is full o “enemi “enemies” es ” or oppos opp os ition tion that we can’t see s ee at fir firs t. Ins Instead tead,, the visi vis io n looks loo ks great. g reat. But But the th e enem en emiies are stil s tilll there. th ere. For exam example, ple, perhap pe rhapss God has ha s s hown ho wn you yo u a bus b us ines ne s s He wan wants ts you yo u to t o buil b uild. d. You are exci excited ted about abo ut it, so s o you y ou s tart to make plan planss . Yet, Yet, in in the t he land that God has s how ho wn you y ou,, there are are a num nu mber of peopl peo plee who are are sayi s aying ng,, “Jus “Jus t try to come come and get it! You You have hav e to get pas pa s t us u s firs first!” t!” Eve Even n tho t houg ugh h th t h e promi promis e is is alread already y yo y o urs, urs , there th ere are certain certain enem ene mies you’l yo u’lll have ha ve to t o work throug th rough h before b efore you can s ee its its fulfi fulfilllment. ent . God God does do esn’t n’t sho s how w you yo u the t he “i “ ites ” righ rightt away becau be causs e He does doe s n’t want to fri frig hten ht en you y ou.. He’s He’s b uilding uilding up your yo ur fai faith th to prepare you for the tim time when you y ou are are ready to face the th e oppo op poss ition tion and over ov ercom comee it. it.
Therefore, Therefore, if if you are are just now no w encounte encou nterring s ome ome of o f the “enemi “enemies of the land,” be encou en courraged that your yo ur fai faith th is being s trength trengthened ened and that God God is is not onl o nly y enabling enabling you y ou to s tand s trong trong in the th e face face of oppos oppo s ition tion to your you r vis vis ion, but als als o to overcom ov ercomee it—to it—to His glory and prais prais e. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion In what areas areas of your yo ur li life/vision are you yo u in need of perse pe rseve veranc rance? e? What have you yo u given given up on o n that you yo u need to pick pick up again again and continue continue on with? As k God to devel d evelop op faithful aithfulnes nesss , steadfastness steadfastn ess , and cour cou rage in in you. yo u. Write Write dow do wn the th e saying, s aying, “Des “Desti tiny ny demand demandss dili diligence,” gen ce,” on a pi p iece of o f paper pap er and put p ut it where where you yo u can be remi reminded nd ed of o f it it every ev ery day. day .
Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. Obstac Obs taclles wil will com co me agains agains t you and an d your you r vision. You must us t be b e persi pers is tent if you are are goi go ing to achieve the vi v is ion God has given given you. y ou. 2. Faithful Faithfulnes nes s means means being being true to what what you yo u have decided to accom acco mpli plis h and letting nothing no thing stop s top you.
3. Steadfas teadfas tness tnes s means means to stand fas fastt or s tand steady stead y in the t he face of res resiis tance. tanc e. 4. Cour ou rage is is the t he abili ability to s tand tan d up in the face face of fear. 5. Fear is a pos po s itive thing whe when n it it gives bi b irth to courage. 6. Even ve n thoug tho ugh h there th ere will be times times of o f s tress tres s , dis dis appointm app ointment ent,, and press ure, your you r vis vis ion will come come to pas s . 7. Every ve ry resistan resist ance ce to your yo ur vision comes comes to t o make make you yo u wis wis er, not no t weaker. weaker. Every ve ry oppo op poss ition com co mes to s trengthen trengthen you, not to stop sto p you. 8. Desti Dest iny dem de mands an ds dili diligence. gen ce. 9. Many peop p eoplle los los e becaus e they qui qu it when when li life s ays no the firs t time, time, but per p erss is tent ten t people peo ple wi win. They never nev er take take no for an ans an s wer when it comes comes to their t heir vis vis ions on s . 10. There is not n ot enoug eno ugh h darknes darknes s in the worl world to exti exting ngui uiss h the light gh t God God has put pu t within within you y ou.. 11. Pers Pers everance means means “to bear up under un der press ure.” ure.” 12. Char ha racter act er is formed formed by press pres s ure. The pur pu rpos po s e of pres s ure is is to get ge t rid rid of o f what is not n ot of God God and an d to to leave what is pur pu re gol g old. d.
13. There There is is no s toppi topp ing a pers pers on who who under und erss tands that tha t press ure is is goo g ood d for him him becaus becau s e press ure is is one of o f the keys to perseverance. perseverance. 14. It is is not n ot thos th os e who who are s wift, but bu t thos tho s e who who endur endu re to the end, en d, who who s ucceed. (Se (Seee Matthew Matth ew 24:13; Mark 13:13; James 5:11.) 15. Vis ion alw always ay s dem de mands an ds a cos t. 16. Every ve ry true true vi v is ion wil will be tes te s ted for authent auth entiicity city..
Chapter Fourteen
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #11: Be Pati Patien entt in i n th thee Fu F ul fi l l men entt of Vi sion si on Imitate thos tho s e who through throug h faith aith and pati pat ience inher nh eriit what has h as been promi promis ed. —Heb —Hebrew rewss 6:12 Pri Principle nciple num nu mber be r elev eleven en is that th at we mus mus t be b e patient p atient in seeing s eeing the th e fulfi fulfillment en t of o f our ou r visions vision s . Again, Ag ain, it it may may tak ta ke a whi wh ile for your yo ur visi vis ion to com co me to t o fruiti fruition on,, but bu t if you are wil willing to wait wait for it (which (which man many y peo p eople ple are not), no t), it it wil will com co me to t o pas p asss . The wri writer te r of Hebrew Hebrewss tell tells us, us , “Do “Do not no t throw t hrow away away you y ourr confiden confidence; ce; it will be richly richly rewarded. rewarded. You You need nee d to t o perse p ersevere vere [“have [“hav e need n eed of patienc pa tience” e” kjv] kjv] so s o tha t hatt when you yo u hav h avee done do ne the t he wil will of God God,, you yo u wil will rece receiive what he has ha s prom pro mis ed” ed ” (Heb (Hebrew rewss 10: 10:35–36 35–36). ). Peo People ple who have hav e long patience pa tience wil will always always win. Patience Patience Ens Ens ures the Eventual ven tual Succes Succes s of the Plan Plan When Wh en s ome ome peopl peo plee mak makee plans to carry carry out o ut thei th eirr vis vis ions on s , they try to force thos tho s e pl p lans into thei the ir own own ti t imetabl etab le or thei th eir r own way way of o f bring bringiing them to pas p asss . However However,, you cann ca nnot ot rush rus h a vi v is ion. on . It It is gi g iven ve n by b y God God,, and He wi will carry it out ou t in His His own time. time. You You may as a s k, “Then what is the t he reas on for developing de veloping a plan in the th e first first place?” place ?” Rem Remem embe berr that th at the t he reas rea s on why yo y ou make ake plans plans is s o you yo u can have hav e plans plans to mod modiify, as neces n ecesss ary ary and approp ap propri riate ate,, alon along g the t he way—whil way—while stil s tilll keepi eep ing to the th e overal ov eralll vision. We W e are not no t all-k all-kno nowi wing ng,, as God is . We need n eed to
patient pa tientlly rely rely on o n His His gui gu idan da n ce every ev ery ste s tep p of o f the th e way. Remem emember ber that He pr p romi omis es to take us s teptep -byby -s tep, not n ot leap by-l by -leap eap.. Part of that tha t ste s tep-b p-by-s y-ste tep p proce p rocess s is making aking s ome ome adjus adjus tment tmentss to t o the th e plan plan as the work working out o ut of o f His pur pu rpos po s es beco be com mes clearer to us . As I wrote earlier, when we first receive our visions, we are not ready for them yet. The vis vis ion process takes takes us to the t he poi po int at which we are read ready y for them the m to be fulfil fulfilled. ed . If God s howed ho wed us the th e entir en tiree path pa th righ rightt away, we we mi might gh t bal b alk k at it. As we grow and mature atu re alon along g the t he path p ath,, however, we we are able to foll follow God God’s ’s lead leadiing and an d adj ad jus t our ou r expe expecta ctations tions and an d pl p lans an s accordi acco rding nglly. We learn to foll follow the s ubtle ub tle lead leadiing of the Holy Spiri Spiritt in our o ur li lives ve s in which we “hear “he ar a voi vo ice behind b ehind [us], [us ], s ayi ay ing, ng , ‘This ‘This is the th e way; way ; walk in it’” (Isai (Isa iah 30:21). 21). Again, you s houl hou ld alw always put deadli deadlines on your y our goals goals , but you yo u mus mustt also be wil willing to rearrang earrangee thos th osee deadl dea dliines ; be be ass as s ured that th at the t he vis vis ion is comi coming at just jus t the t he right gh t ti t ime. God God s ent Jesus Jesu s to be our o ur Savi Savior or abou aboutt four four thous and year y earss after after the fall of humankind. Humanly speaking, that was a long time to wait. ait. But But He came came jus jus t as predicted and an d at a t just jus t the t he righ rightt ti t ime. The Bible Bible say s ayss , “But “But when the t he time time had h ad full fully come, come, God God s ent en t his Son, Son , born of o f a woman, woman, born bo rn unde un derr law, to redeem thos th os e under un der law, law, that th at we mi might gh t receive receive the t he full righ rights ts of son s onss ” (Galatians (Galatians 4:4 4:4–5). Jesus Jes us came came in the th e fullne fullness s of time, time, and an d s o wil will your you r vis vis ion. That is is why you need to t o be b e patient patient with with your y our dream as you yo u wait wait for it it with with antici an ticipa pation. tion. If If som so meone eon e ask as ks you yo u about abo ut it, say s ay,, “I’m “I’m jus t waiting waiting for the th e nex n extt mov move.” e.” Some Some peop p eoplle might gh t wonde won derr if if it it wil will ever eve r happen. happ en. You You do not no t need n eed to
wonder, wond er, however, howev er, but s imply to t o wait. It It wil will all com co me to t o pas p asss if you yo u are wi willing to progress at the t he vi v is ion’ on ’s pace. If God God has s how ho wn you y ou that you yo u wil will own a s tore, but righ rightt now no w, you are jus jus t work workiing in one, one , then you yo u can be b e happy hap py and content, conten t, knowi knowing ng that what you s ee wi with your y our eyes is not the vis vis ion you s ee in in your yo ur heart; heart; you yo u can be b e certai certain n that th at your yo ur current s ituation tu ation is onl on ly tem t empo porar rary. y. Or perhaps perha ps , ri right gh t now, n ow, it it is your yo ur job job to make make coffee coffee for the th e bos bo s s . You’r ou ’ree “endu “en durring the th e s hame” hame” (see (se e Hebrews Hebrews 12: 12:2) becau be causs e you yo u know you’ you ’re going to be a gen g eneral eral manag an ager er one on e day. da y. Making Making coff co ffee ee doe d oess n’t bot b othe her r you, you , so you make ake the best bes t coffee coffee you pos s ibly bly can. Perhaps Perhaps peop pe oplle thi th ink you yo u are ju ju s t a secret s ecretary, ary, but bu t you y ou know no w you’re yo u’re on your yo ur way way to becom beco ming a sup s uper ervi viss or, s o thei t heirr opi op inion nion of you reall really does do esn’t n’t matt matter. er. Vis ion makes you yo u patient. pa tient. Patienc Patiencee Bri Bring ngss Peace in in the t he Mi M ids t of o f Uncertai nc ertaint nty y When Wh en you y ou are pati pat ient in the t he fulfi fulfillment of your yo ur vis vis ion, on , you are abl ab le to t o be b e cal ca lm in the t he mids t of o f uncertaint unc ertainty. y. For exam example, ple, you yo u can be b e at peace when everyone ev eryone else is is worrying orrying about abo ut bei b eing ng laid off. No one on e can ca n really really “l “ lay off” a chi ch ild of o f Go Go d. Al A ll they th ey can do is s et you y ou up for your yo ur next next pos po s ition that th at wil will furth further er prepa prepare re you yo u for the fulfi fulfilllment en t of o f your you r vis vis ion. on . You You can endu en dure re the cros c rosss when you have s een the th e joy joy of the end of your vis vis ion. (S (See Hebrews 12:2.) When you don’ don ’t have vis vis ion, you compl complai ain n about abo ut the th e cros crosss . You becom beco me frus frustrated trated abou ab outt you y ourr posi pos ition tion.. You You get angr ang ry about abo ut you y ourr s alar alary. y. You You worry orry abou ab outt hol ho lding ding on to you y ourr job. ob .
You grumble. However, when you understand vision, you remem remembe berr that th at vi v is ion takes time time and an d patience p atience and a nd often invol nvo lves change. To go to a new place, place, you have to t o thi th ink differ differen ently. tly. As I wrote wrote earl e arliier, vision may cons co ns tantly tan tly keep keep you yo u uns un s ettl ett led, but b ut it wil will als als o keep you yo u fluid and an d mob mobiile, read ready y to to take take the nex n extt step s tep towar t oward d your yo ur vis vis ion. on . When you y ou keep compan company y with with God God,, you have h ave to keep mov moviing, ng , but you y ou have hav e the as s urance that He is is alw always with you y ou along along the path p ath towar to ward d you y ourr vis vis ion’s on ’s ful fu lfil fillment. en t. Patience Overcomes Adversity Patien Patience ce is is als als o the th e key key to t o power p ower over ov er advers ad versiity and a nd turm tu rmoil oil.. If you yo u thr th reaten a man, man, and he h e jus jus t waits waits,, your threat is is goi go ing to wear off off. The Bi Bible ble says s ays that tha t a pati pat ient man is s tronger than th an a mighty gh ty warri warrior: or: “Bet “Bette terr a pat p atiient en t man man than th an a warri warrior, a man man who control con trolss his his temper temper than one on e who takes a city” city” (Prov Prover erbs bs 16:32). When Wh en I fi firs t read that th at ver v erss e, I found ou nd it hard h ard to bel b eliieve that t hat patienc pa tiencee is is more powerful p owerful than th an mi mig ht. ht . Then The n I came came to underst un derstand and the t he power p ower of patience. patience. A pati pat ient person p erson makes akes others uns un s ettled ettled because becaus e they want want that person to t o react react to them, them, to becom b ecomee angry—but an gry—but he never n ever does do es.. Noth Nothiing can make ake you yo u more more nervous than a waiti waiting ng person. perso n. You You try everythi everyth ing, ng , and all all he doe d oess is jus t wait. wait. Hi His waiting waiting event ev entuall ually y unn u nnerves erves and overc o vercom omes es the oppo o pposs ition. tion. Therefore, Therefore, when you y ou have h ave vision, no one o ne can of o ffend you y ou.. Do you y ourr coworkers coworkers dislik dislike you y ou?? That’s Th at’s all all righ right. t. It’s It’s jus t
tempo temporrary. ary. Are they not n ot s peaking peaking to t o you y ou?? That’s ok o kay. It’s It’s jus justt tempo temporar rary. y. Are A re they trying trying to hol ho ld you y ou back bac k? No probl prob lem. em. It’s It’s us t tem t empo porar rary. y. You Yourr job job is not no t you y ourr li life. It’s It’s merely erely a clas classs room to pr p repare you for your you r futur utu re. Patience Patience Wins the Race As long as you can dream, dream, there’ there’ss hope. hop e. As long as there’s there’s hope, ho pe, there’ th ere’ss life. It’s It’s crucial crucial that th at you y ou and I mai maint ntai ain n our o ur dreams dreams by patient pa tientlly waiting waiting for their th eir fulfi fulfilllment en t in the t he full fullnes ne s s of time. time. James James 1:4 says sa ys , “But “But let pati pat ience en ce have h ave its perf pe rfect ect work, ork, that th at you y ou may be b e perf pe rfect ect and a nd com co mplete, lacki lacking ng noth no thiing” ng ” (nkj (nkjv). Others who have hav e gone gon e before before us have had h ad thei th eirr ffai aith th tes t ested, ted, and it has pr p roduced od uced pati p atience ence in in them th em (s ee verse 3) s o that th at they th ey were able to win win the th e race. Let Let us u s do the th e sam s ame. e. Heb Hebrew rewss 12:1 s ays , “Wher “Wh erefor eforee seei s eeing ng we als als o are compas compas s ed about abo ut with with so so great a clou cloud d of o f witnes s es, es , let let us lay as ide ever ev ery y weigh weight, t, and the s in which which doth d oth s o eas ily beset b eset us, us , and let let us run with patienc pa tiencee the th e race that th at is s et before b efore us ” (kj (kjv). Amen Amen.. A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion Have you y ou been trying trying to force the tim timetabl etab le of the fulfi fulfilllment en t of o f your you r vis vis ion? on ? If s o, what hav h avee you y ou learned abou ab outt pati p atience ence in thi t hiss chapter chap ter that will enable en able you yo u to t o trust trus t God God to fulfi fulfilll the th e vi v is ion in His timing? Encourage nco urage you y ourr spi sp irit as a s you yo u patiently patiently wait ait for your yo ur vis vis ion to com co me to pas p asss by comm committing thes e verses ve rses to memory emory this t his week:
But let patience p atience hav h avee its its per pe rfect work work,, that you y ou may be be perf pe rfect ect and an d com co mplete, plete , lackin ackin g not n othing hing.( .(Jam James es 1:4 nkjv) nkjv) We do d o not n ot want you y ou to becom b ecomee laz lazy, y, but to imi imitate tho t hoss e who through throug h faith faith and an d pati p atience ence inherit inherit what has been prom pro mis ed.( ed .(Hebrews Hebrews 6:12 6:12)) You need to t o per p erss evere evere so s o that th at when you have done d one the t he wil will of God God,, you yo u wil will receive what wh at he has ha s prom pro mis ed.( ed .(Hebrews Hebrews 10: 10:36)
Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. W e mus mus t be patient p atient in in seeing s eeing the th e fulf fulfiillment en t of our visions. 2. “Do not throw t hrow away your you r confi con fide dence nce;; it it wi will be rich richlly rewarded rewarded.. You You need nee d to t o perse p erseve vere re [“ha [“have ve need of o f patience” patience” kj kjv] so that when you have don do n e the th e wil will of God God,, you yo u wil will receive what wha t he h e has h as prom pro mis ed” ed ” (Heb (Hebrew rewss 10:3 0:35–36 5–36). 3. Peopl Peop le who who hav h avee lon long g pati pat ience en ce wi will alway alwayss win. win. Patience atience ensure ens uress the t he eventual eventu al s uccess ucces s of o f your you r vis vis ion’ on ’s plan. plan. 4. We cannot cann ot try to force force our ou r vis vis ions on s into our own own timet timetab ablles. es . Vi Vis ion is given by God, od , and He wi will carry it out ou t in His His o wn time. time. 5. Your ou r visi vis ion wil will com co me to pas pa s s if y ou are wi willing to progres pro gres s at the t he vi v is ion’s on ’s pace p ace..
6. W hen you y ou are pati pat ient en t in in the th e fulf fulfiillment en t of your yo ur vision, you y ou are able to be b e calm in the t he mids t of o f uncertainty. 7. Vis ion takes t akes time time and patience p atience and often o ften inv involves olves change. 8. Patience Patience is is the t he key key to power p ower over ov er adversi adv ersity ty and an d turmoil. 9. The testi tes ting ng of our ou r faith aith produces produ ces pati p atience, ence, and patienc pa tiencee perf pe rfect ectss our ou r s p iritu ritual al charact ch aracter er and leads lead s to the th e fulfi fulfillment en t of o f our ou r visions vision s . (See (See James James 1:4.) 4.) 10. “Wher “Wh erefor eforee seeing we we als als o are are compas compas s ed about abou t with s o gr g reat a cloud of o f wi witnes tne s s es, es , let let us lay as ide every wei weigh ght, t, and the th e si s in which which doth d oth s o eas ily bes be s et us u s , and an d let us run with with patienc pa tiencee the th e race that th at is s et before be fore us ” (Heb (Hebrew rewss 12: 12:1 kjv).
Ch apte ap terr Fi Fifteen
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #12: Stay Conn Connec ecte ted d to the Source Source of Vi Vi si on I am the th e vine; you y ou are the branch b ranches es.. .... ..Ap Apart art from from me you yo u can ca n do nothi n othing. ng. —John —Joh n 15: 15:5 Pri Principle nciple num n umbe berr twel twelve ve is that, th at, if if you are goi go ing to be s ucces s ful in in you y ourr vis vis ion, on , you must us t have h ave a daily, daily, dynam dy namiic perso pe rson n al prayer pray er li life wi with God. od . Why? Wh y? Becaus Becau s e you yo u need n eed continual con tinual comm communi un ion and fell fellowship ows hip with with the th e Source Sou rce of vis vis ion. on . Remem emembe berr that you yo u were born to t o cons co ns ult God God to find find out ou t His His purpo pu rposs e for your yo ur li life so that th at you y ou can disco dis cove verr your yo ur visi vis ion. on . Yet Yet,, as the “Alpha “ Alpha and the Omega, Omega, the Beginn Beginniing and the End” nd ” (Rev (Revel elation ation 1:8 nkjv), nkjv), God God is not no t only o nly the th e Aut A utho horr of your you r vis vis ion, but als als o your y our continui continuing ng Support upp ort as you progress progress towar to ward d its fulfi fulfillment. en t. You You wil will neve ne verr achi ach ieve ev e you y ourr vision without thou t prayer because becaus e prayer is what keeps you connected conn ected to the th e Vi Vis ion-G on -Giiver. ve r. Jesus Jes us s aid in in John Jo hn 15:5, “I am the th e vi v ine; ne ; you y ou are are the th e br b ranches anch es.. .... ..Ap Apar artt from from me you y ou can do nothing.” no thing.” If you yo u s tay in tou t ouch ch with God, od , you will alw always be nouri no uriss hed in both b oth life and vision. Pray Prayer er Sus Sus tains Us in the t he Demand Demandss of Vi Vis ion Sometim Sometimes es,, in in the th e purs p ursuit uit of o f your you r vis vis ion, on , you yo u wil will grow emot emotiional on allly and an d s piri piritual tu allly weary if if things don’t do n’t seem s eem to be worki orking out ou t for you. When W hen you yo u have h ave been b een pr p ress es s ed, cri critici ticizzed, and oppo op poss ed, you can becom b ecomee weak weak in faith. faith. That is when you y ou
mus t stag s tagger ger back to you y ourr prayer clos closet et and an d s ay, “God “God,, I want to gi g ive up, up ,” so s o that th at you yo u can hear h ear Him s ay to you, you , “Wh “What at you yo u bega be gan n wil will be finis finishe hed.” d.” Phili Philippi pp ians an s 1:6 1:6 s ays ay s , “He who who bega be gan na good go od work work in in you yo u wil will carry carry it it on o n to com co mpletion pletion.” .” Pray Prayer er is is the th e place where you y ou can tak ta ke all y our ou r burden bu rdenss to God and an d say s ay,, “God “God,, I have ha ve to make it,” it,” and a nd He wi will s ay, ay , “I’m “I’m with with you. yo u. Wha W hatt are you yo u afr a frai aid d of?” o f?” “The Lord is my ligh lightt and a nd my s alva alvation— tion— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom who m s h all I be afraid?” (Psalm (Ps alm 27: 27:1). 1). Go Go d will will b rin rin g y o u through throug h your yo ur dif difficulties culties and gi g ive you yo u the th e victory victory thr th rough ou gh prayer pray er based bas ed on o n His His W ord. ord . There are many many days day s (and ni n ights gh ts)) when I stu s tum mble int into o my my prayer pray er roo room m and an d say s ay,, “God “God,, if Yo u won’t won ’t help me me in in this t his,, I want You to take me me hom h omee to t o You You.” .” Vi Vis ions on s can be very demand demandiing. ng . It can be di d ifficult cult runni runn ing a bus bu s iness nes s . It It can be tou t ough gh trying trying to s tart a new compan company. y. It It can be b e hard trying trying to t o pur pu rs ue a new ne w aspect asp ect of your you r vis vis ion or doing doing s omethi omething ng that no one els els e has ever done bef b efore ore.. It It can be s tress tress ful tryi trying ng to go g o to s chool choo l to earn a deg d egree. ree. Somet Sometiimes, es , you yo u wil will feel, feel, “Am “A m I ever eve r goi go ing to make it?” it?” That’s That ’s a good go od time time to t o run to t o God. od . Praye Prayerr mean meanss getti gett ing away away from from the noi no is e and conf con fusi us ion of li life and s aying, “God “God,, I’m I’m not no t go g o ing back ba ck out ou t the t here.” re.” Yet Yet if you yo u wil will let let Him Him encourage enco urage and refr refresh es h you y ou,, by the ti t ime you yo u have hav e fi finished prayi pray ing, ng , you yo u wil will be s ayi ay in g, “I’m “I’m ready read y to t o go g o again!” ag ain!” Pray Prayer er Enc Encou ourages rages Us to t o Get Back in the th e Figh Fightt Throug Through h our ou r prayers prayers , God God also encourages en courages us u s to get g et back out ou t into the t he fight gh t of o f fai faith. th. Isaiah 40 40:31 says say s , “Those “Thos e who hop h opee
in the t he Lord wil will renew rene w thei the ir streng st rength th.. They wil will s oar oa r on wing wingss like eagles ea gles;; the t hey y wil will run and a nd not no t grow g row weary, weary, the t hey y wil will walk walk and not no t be faint faint.” .” Yes Yes,, you yo u wil will becom beco me ti t ired, and s ometim ometimes es you yo u wil will want to qui qu it. However, Howeve r, if you are wil willing to b ear up in prayer pray er and s tand ta nd b efore God God and an d say s ay,, “God “God,, I’m I’m hoping ho ping in you!” yo u!” He He wi will give you yo u streng s trength th.. When you achieve achieve your yo ur vis vis ion, and other o ther people people see s ee you enjoy enjoyiing the victory, victory, they will be pr p roud ou d of o f what what you yo u have h ave accom acco mplis plis hed. he d. You You’l ’lll have hav e you y ourr belt belt on o n as a s the th e cham ch ampion. pion. Of course, they won’t won’t know know about the rounds you lost, os t, how you s ometi ometim mes s tagger tagg ered ed as you yo u made made you y ourr way back ba ck into your yo ur corner to recuperate recu perate for the nex n extt round. roun d. A real figh fighter ter does do esn’t n’t wear his his medals on o n hi h is ches t. He He wears wears them on his back b ack.. They are his s cars. cars . Only Only a few people peo ple wil will kno know w what what it too t ook k for for you yo u to achi ach ieve your yo ur vision. Yet Yet you y ou mus t be b e wil willing to take the th e s cars if if you want to wear the crown. crown. Beli elieve ev e me, me, every cham ch ampion pion does d oes not no t win win every ev ery rou round nd,, but i he persev p ersever eres es,, he wins wins the match. atch . Si Since prayer is is where you yo u receive receive the t he abil a biliity to continue con tinue the t he figh fight, t, it it is crucial for you yo u to to find ti t imes dur du ring the t he day d ay when you yo u can go to t o God God and s ay things like, “God “God,, I’ I’m s cared,” cared,” so s o that t hat He can reass eas s ure you that He is is with with you. yo u. He says sa ys , “Surel “Surely y I am with with you yo u alway alwayss ” (Matthew (Matth ew 28 28:20). When Wh en you yo u hear h ear that, tha t, it it is eno e noug ugh. h. You You are be able to s ay, ay , “Let’s “Let’s go back bac k, Lord, Lord, and figh fightt one o ne more day.” da y.” You You can win, you yo u can c an be b e victori victo riou ouss , if if you are wi willing to take wha whatt you yo u are a re afrai afraid d of o f to God God in prayer. p rayer. Pray Prayer er Is Is the th e Es Es s enti ent ial Res Resou ource rce of Vi Vis ion
Withou Withoutt prayer, prayer, you cannot cann ot get g et wher wheree you want to go. There The re wil will be ti t imes when all you yo u ’ll ’ll have ha ve is prayer. pray er. You You won’t won ’t have hav e any an y money, on ey, peopl peo ple, e, or res resou ourrces—j ces —jus ustt pr p rayer. Yet Yet that t hat is all all you yo u need n eed.. God God will s ee you y ou throug th rough. h. When Wh en all all the trouble and oppo op poss ition tion came came to Nehemi ehemiah, he s aid to t o God, od , “Rem “Remem embe berr Tobi Tob iah and an d Sanball Sanb allat at,, O my my God, od , becau be causs e of wha whatt they th ey hav h avee done do ne;; remem remembe berr also the th e proph pro phet etes esss Noadi Noad iah and a nd the th e rest res t of o f the th e proph pro phet etss who hav h avee been be en tryi t rying ng to inti nt imidate da te me” me” (Neh (Nehem emiiah 6:14 6:14). ). Nehem Nehe miah too t ook k all all his his troubles trou bles and enem en emiies to God in prayer. praye r. He didn’t wri write a letter ett er of complai complaint nt to the th e edi ed itor to r of the th e new ne ws paper. pap er. He didn’ didn ’t try to jus tify tify hi h ims elf. elf. He prayed p rayed,, and God ans an s wered wered his prayer p rayer to deliver him. (See verses 15–16.) Likewise, when people attack your dream, go to God. Don’t try to expl explai ain n and an d gi g ive an answ ans wer for for everything becaus b ecaus e you yo u can’t can ’t explai explain n anyth any thiing to critics. critics. Thei Th eirr mot motiives ve s are alread already y contam con tamiinated, nat ed, and they’l th ey’lll us e your you r words against agains t you. yo u. Ins Ins tead, s tay conn co nnected ected to t o your yo ur Sou Sourrce for for the renewal renewal of your purpo pu rposs e, faith, faith, and an d stren s treng g th, th , and an d you y ou wil will be able a ble to pers p ersev evere ere to victo victorry. God God is the One who plante planted d you y ourr li life’s e’s pur pu rpos po s e withi th in you y ou in the th e begi beg inni nn ing. ng . He has ha s inves nv ested ted Him Hims elf elf in you y our r dream, dream, and He wi will bri bring it to t o pas s . “If the th e Lord Lord deligh delights ts in a man’s an ’s way, he makes makes hi h is s teps tep s firm firm;; tho t houg ugh h he h e stu s tum mble, he wil will not no t fall, fall, for for the t he Lord upho up hollds him with with his hand ha nd “ (Psalm (Ps alm 37: 37:23– 23– 24). A cti ct ion Steps Step s to Fulfi Fulfilling Vis ion
Es tabli ta bliss h a dai da ily praye p rayerr tim time with with God. od . In what ways are you yo u relying elying on God for your you r li life and vis vis ion? on ? In what what ways aren’t aren’t you yo u relying relying on Him Him? Comm Commit to t o prayer pray er the th e areas a reas in which which you yo u aren’t currently relying on Him. Be honest with Him Him abou ab outt how ho w you yo u are feeling feeling,, and an d allow allow Him Him to s trength trengthen, en, s ustai us tain, n, and encour encou rage you through His presence presen ce and His His Wor Wo rd. Ch apte ap terr Princ Princiiples 1. To be succes suc cesss ful in your you r vis vis ion, on , you yo u mus mus t have a daily, dynamic prayer life with God. 2. God is is not n ot onl on ly the Autho Au thorr of your yo ur vis vis ion, on , but bu t als als o your y our continui continuing ng Support Supp ort as you y ou pr p rogress toward its fulfillment. 3. You wil will never nev er achi ach ieve you y ourr vision with withou outt prayer becau be causs e prayer pray er is is what keeps keep s you yo u conn co nnect ected ed to to the th e Vis io n -Giver. -Giver. 4. If you yo u stay s tay in touc to uch h with with God God,, you yo u wil will alw always ay s be be nouri no uriss hed in both b oth life and vision vision.. 5. Prayer Prayer sus su s tains tains us in the dem d emand andss of o f vision vision.. God wil will bring bring you yo u throu t hrough gh your yo ur diffi difficulti culties es and give you the vi v ictory through prayer prayer based on His Word.
6. Prayer Prayer encourages enco urages us u s to get g et back in the fi fight gh t of faith. 7. Sin Sin ce prayer pray er is where whe re we receive the th e abili ability to to cont co ntiinue nu e the t he figh fight, t, it it is crucial crucial for for us to find find times times dur du ring the day when we can go before God God.. 8. Prayer Prayer is is the t he ess es s ential resou es ourrce of vis vis ion. on . When Wh en peop pe oplle atta at tack ck your yo ur dream, dream, go to God. od . Remain emain connect con nected ed to your yo ur Sou Sourrce for the renewal of your you r purpo pu rposs e, faith, faith, and an d stren s trengt gth, h, and an d yo y o u wil will be able a ble to per p erss evere to victory. victory. 9. God is the One One who plan planted ted you y ourr life’s fe’s purpo p urposs e within youi yo uin n the th e begi beg inni nn ing. ng . He He has inves nv ested ted Him Hims elf in you y ourr dream, dream, and He wi will b ring ring it to t o pas pa s s .
Part III The Pow P ower er of Vi sion si on
Chapter Sixteen
The G enerationa enerati onall Nature Nature of Vi sion si on You were ere born b orn to do s omething omething in life that th at leaves nutri nu trients ents for the s eed of o f the next next generati ge neration on to tak t akee roo roott in in and an d gr g row.
Ecclesiastes cclesias tes 3:1 s ays , “There is is a time time for everythi everyth ing, ng , and a s eason eas on for every activity activity under un der heaven.” heav en.” Li Like the th e calend calendar ar year, year, our li lives have four s easons easo ns,, and thos th osee seas ons must us t come come to pas s . The fi firs t seas s eason on is birth birth and an d depend dep endency ency.. All of us go through throug h thi th is s eason eas on in whi which ch we mus mustt rely rely total to tallly on outs ou tsiide help, parti pa rticular cularlly our ou r fam famiilies, es , for for survival s urvival.. We need nee d to be tau t augh ghtt and an d trai t raine ned d in wha whatt is rig rig ht and an d wron wrong g and an d what is imp o rtant rtan t in life. life. The second s econd s eason easo n is one on e of indepen independence, dence, in in which which we captur captu re what what we wer weree bor bo rn to do. do . We no n o lon longer ger depend depen d on on other oth er people to gi g ive us u s a vision vision for li life or to help help us u s s urvive. urvive. We focus ocu s in on o n our ou r own own goals. g oals. We depend dep end prim primari arily on God, od , yet we rel rely y on o n the th e help of other peop le to provide provide the t he resou es ourrces that will enabl enab le us to live out o ut our ou r dream dreamss . The thir third s eason easo n is interdepend interdependence. ence. In In this this s tage, we we have hav e beco be com me so s o free free in our ou r visi vis ions on s that th at we can gi g ive our o ur dreams dreams to other people. people. We can now pass pas s on our vis vis ions to the th e next next generation. The final final seas on is death, death , where where our ou r li lives becom beco me the th e nouri no uriss hmen hmentt for other ot her people’ peo ple’ss dreams dreams in the th e next next generation. ge neration.
If people peo ple can’t can ’t receive receive life life from from the th e legacy you yo u leave when he n you y ou die, then th en you y ou reall really di d idn’t dn ’t li live effect effectiively. Peo People ple sho s hould uld be able able to flour ou ris h on o n the t he frui fruitt of o f the vision you y ou leave behi beh ind on earth. If it it wasn’t was n’t for their tom to mbs tone to ness , we we wouldn’t know that th at s ome ome peop pe oplle were were ever ev er ali alive. Wha W hatt a tragedy trag edy.. You You s hould ho uld li live s o effecti effectively vely that there t here won won’’t be any an y need nee d for a tombs tombs tone ton e to mark your yo ur grave becau bec auss e you y ourr li life wi will be in the t he hearts he arts and an d memori emories es of thos tho s e who coul co uld d never n ever forget forget you y ou or what what you yo u did. Truly Truly great peop p eoplle don’t do n’t need ne ed mon monum ument entss becaus bec aus e we we wi will alway alwayss remem remembe berr them the m. It It doe d oess n ’t mat matte terr if if we we do d o n’t know kno w where the graves of David David or Joshu Jos huaa are. They They lived s o well well that th at we can’t forget them th em.. If If you live properl prop erly, y, hi h is tory to ry wil will not no t be able a ble to ignore ign ore that th at you y ou lived. ve d. Vis ion gives us ass as s ignm gn ments ent s that th at wil will impact pa ct the t he earth. e arth. We mus t be abl a blee to s ay we have chan c hanged ged the world orld in som so me way way while hile we were were here and an d that th at we hav h avee left left a mark mark for thos tho s e who will come come after us . We were were born b orn to t o do s ometh omethiing in life that th at leaves nutri nu trients ents for the seeds s eeds of the next next gener gen erati ation on to t o take root in and a nd grow. The The fact is is , we we wil will s oon oo n be gone go ne from from thi th is earth. Let’s Let’s make the th e few years ye ars we have hav e count cou nt!! Let’s di d is cover cov er and pursue p ursue the vi v is ions God has placed placed in in our o ur hearts hearts..
Chapter hap ter Seventeen
How to Write ri te Your Perso Pe rson nal Vi sion si on Pla Pl an God wil will direct direct you y ourr s teps tep s when you y ou make ake a concrete co ncrete pl p lan to to move ov e tow to ward ard what you yo u des d esiire.
Comm ommit to t o the t he Lord whateve what everr you do, do , and your yo ur plans will succeed. —Prov —Proverbs erbs 16: 16:3 Most Mos t of us are are trying trying to cons co nstr truct uct our o ur li lives without thou t any real thoug tho ught ht or plann planniing. ng . We are li like a contractor co ntractor who is is trying trying to cons con s truct a bui bu ilding ding without tho ut a bl b luepr uep rint. As A s a resul resu lt, our ou r li lives are out ou t of o f balanc balancee and an d unrel u nreliiable. We nev n ever er fulf fulfiill the th e reason reas on for our exi exis tence and end up uns un s atis atis fied and an d frus frustrated. trated. The key to t o having h aving a rewardi rewarding ng and an d produ p roductive ctive li life is is develop de velopiing a specific plan to fulfill your personal life vision. Dis coveri cov ering ng and an d implem implement entiing your yo ur person pers onal al vision is a proces pro ces s o f learni earn ing abou ab outt you y ours rself elf,, g rowing rowing in you y our r relations relations hip and knowl no wledg edgee of the th e Lord, Lord, and cont co ntiinual nu allly fine fine-tuning your you r under und erss tanding tanding of the vis vis ion God has h as given given you. y ou. Therefore, Therefore, whe when n you y ou write rite your yo ur vision, reali realize that t hat it won’t won ’t be a finis finishe hed d prod p roduc uct. t. You You wil will keep refi refining it as a s God makes your yo ur purpo pu rposs e clearer as the th e mon month thss and an d years y ears go by, by , and as a s you yo u experi experien ence ce s piri piritual tu al and person pers onal al growth. growth. In fact, it it woul wou ld be a good go od idea to t o review review your yo ur pers pers onal on al vis vis ion on a regular regular basi bas is . At least eas t every ev ery si s ix month on thss to a year, ye ar, s et as ide a bl b lock oc k of tim time to
pray and a nd reevaluat reev aluatee where you yo u are in in relat relatiion to your yo ur vision. vision . You will add ad d to or tak ta ke away certain certain elem elemen ents ts of your yo ur plan as as God refi efines your yo ur underst un derstand andiing of Hi His pur pu rpos po s e. Even Eventua tuallly, you yo u wil will begin be gin to s ee, “This is the th e real thi th ing!” ng !” Howeve However, r, if you never nev er wri write te out ou t a life blueprint blueprint,, then the n God will have ha ve noth no thiing to direct direct you y ou in. My prayer is is that tha t you y ou will s top the cons con s truction truction of your you r li life righ rightt where it it is is and go back bac k and an d draw d raw s olid olid bl b luepri uep rint ntss that th at wil will lead you y ou where you want to go in lif life thr th rough ou gh the vis vis ion God has put pu t in in you y ourr heart. hea rt. The foll following owing are guideli guidelines ne s for dis dis cover cov eriing and devel dev elop opiing your yo ur pers pers onal on al vis vis ion plan. plan. The las lastt s ection ection of the book, bo ok, “Taki “Taking Acti Act ion: on : Acti Act ion Steps to Bringi ng ing Your ou r Vi Vis ion into nt o Reality eality,” ,” cont co ntai ains ns addi add itional pri p rincipl nciples es and gui gu idelines delines for developing de veloping you y ourr vision pl p lan, includ includiing a Personal Planning and Goal-Setting Program. Step One: El Eliminate na te Dis Dis tracti tract ions on s Sit Sit down d own s omewhere omewhere by by yourself, away from any distractions and responsibilities, and all allow yours yo ursel elff som so me uninterr u ninterrup upted ted time time to thi th ink. Do Do this t his as often often as you need to as you devel d evelop op your yo ur plan. plan. Step Two: Find Find Your ou r True True Self Self Unt Untiil you yo u know kno w who who you yo u are, a re, why God God created creat ed you, yo u, and an d why you yo u ’re ’re here, h ere, li life wi will s imp ly be be a confus con fusiing expe experi rim ment. en t. Ans An s wering ering the th e foll following owing ques qu estions tions wil will help give give you y ou clari clarity ty and an d confi co nfiden dence ce in in regard to you y ourr personal perso nal identity. W ho am I? W ho am I in in relation to t o God God??
Wher Wh eree do d o I come come from from as a per p erss on? on ? How have I been created like my my Source? (See Genesis 1:26–28.) W hy am I here? Write Write out ou t your yo ur pers pers onal on al pur pu rpos po s e statem s tatement. ent. As k yourself yo urself,, What Wh at is is my reason reaso n for exi exis tence ten ce as a hum hu man bei b eing ng and as an indi nd ividual vidua l? (You (You may be b e able to ans an s wer thi th is ques qu estion tion only o nly after after you yo u have ha ve com co mpleted the othe o therr s teps tep s . However, owever, you may may als als o want an t to wri write an ans wer now and then th en com c ompa pare re it it with with what you think think af after you have hav e gone gon e through the rest of o f the ques qu estions tions.) .) Step Three: Th ree: Find Find Your ou r True True Vi Vis ion A ns wer the th e foll following owing ques qu estions tions , and you’l yo u’lll be amaz amazed ed at the th e way God God will begin be gin to open op en you y ourr mind to His His purpo pu rposs e and an d vi v is ion for you. yo u. You’ ou ’ll begi beg in to s ee thi th ings ng s that you’ve yo u’ve never nev er s een bef b efore. ore. Put them th em down do wn on pap p aper, er, read them th em over, ov er, thi th ink about abo ut them th em,, pray about abo ut them the m, and begi b egin n to t o formulate formulate ideas ideas of what what you yo u want out o ut o f life. life. As k yours yo ursel elff the followi following ng:: W hat do I wan wantt to t o do d o with with my life? life? What Wh at am I ins inspi pirred to t o do? d o? What Wh at would would I want want to t o do more than anyth an ythiing el e ls e, even ev en if I was never ne ver pai pa id for it? it? What Wh at do I love to t o do s o much much that th at I forget forget to eat or sleep?
Allow Allow yours yo ursel elff to thi th ink freel freely. y. Don’t put p ut any limitati tat ions on s of time time or mon money ey on o n you y ourr vision. Becau Becauss e man many y of o f us are influen nfluenced ced by other oth erss ’ opi op inions of us and an d by our o ur own own fals fals e expec expectat tatiions on s for oursel ours elves ves , it it may may take you yo u a litt littlle ti t ime to to dis dis cover cov er what you y ou reall eally want. Per Perss evere through throug h the th e process proces s and dig dow do wn deep d eep to find your yo ur true des ires. es . Bel Below ow are are activiti activities es to hel h elp p you yo u do this. Activities: Write Write you y ourr own own legacy. What Wh at you yo u would would li like your yo ur eulogy eulogy to s ay about abo ut you? yo u? What W hat would you yo u li like to be b e kno know wn for? for? What W hat woul wou ld y ou want othe ot hers rs (for (for ex e xample, ample, fami family members embers,, colleag colleagues ues , teachers teac hers,, employe employers, rs, neighbors) neighbors) to say about you? yo u? Fami Family: What Wh at kind kind of hus hu s band, ban d, wife, wife, s on, on , or daugh dau ghter ter do you yo u want to be b e rem remem embered bered as? as ? Society Society:: What Wha t kind kind of im impact pac t woul wou ld you yo u like to to leave eav e on your yo ur comm communi un ity? ty ? W orld: orld: In In what ha t way woul wou ld you y ou like the t he world orld to be dif different becaus be caus e you y ou were ere her h ere? e? Write Write out o ut your yo ur personal perso nal mi mis s ion s tatement. tatement. Your ou r mis s ion s tatem tat emen entt is is a general gen eral s tatem tat emen entt of what what you yo u want to have hav e accom acco mpli plis hed when your yo ur li life is is over ov er.. Ask As k yourself yo urself where you yo u want to be one, on e, fi five, ten, ten , twent twenty, y, thirty thirty
years from from now no w. Jot Jot dow do wn you y ourr ideas and conti con tinu nuee to think and pray abo a bout ut them th em.. Summ Summariz arize you y ourr vis vis ion for your you r li life in in jus t one o ne s enten en tence. ce. This is is a spec s peciific fic stat s tatem emen entt of o f what you y ou want an t to do in life. life. It s houl hou ld be b e what what moti motivates vates you and keeps you going toward toward your dream. Step Four: Fou r: Dis Dis cover co ver You Yourr True True Motivation Mo tivation A vision from from God is never selfish. It will always help or uplift others in some way. It It is des d esiigned gn ed to t o make make the live livess of hum hu mank an kind better bet ter and to improve improve s ociety ociety.. It It ins ins pir pires and bui bu ilds up other oth erss . As k yours yo ursel elff the followi following ng:: How does my vi v is ion help other oth erss ? W hat is the th e mot motiivation va tion for my my vi v is ion? on ? Why Wh y do I want want to do what I want want to do? Can I accompli accompliss h my vision and s till till have integrity? Step Five Five:: Identif Iden tify y You Yourr Pri Princ nciiples Your ou r princ princiiples are you y our r phi ph ilo s ophy op hy of li life. In othe ot herr words, words , they th ey are a re how ho w you yo u intend inte nd to cond co nduct uct yours yo ursel elff during during your yo ur li life. You mus t clari clarify wha whatt you y ou will and won’t on ’t do. do . These Thes e pri p rincipl nciples es are your yo ur gui gu ides de s for li living, doi do ing bus bu s ines s , rel relati ating ng to other oth er peopl peop le, and relati elating ng to life. You mus t sett s ettlle them th em in you y ourr heart and mind s o that t hat you yo u wil will have s tandards to live by.
The Ten Comm ommandm and ments ent s are great principl principles es and a good go od s tarting tarting poi po int for devel dev elop opiing your yo ur own principl principles es.. For For exam example, ple, you yo u co c o uld write write,, “On my my way to t o my my vi v is ion, on , I wil will not no t s teal, te al, lie, or bear fal falss e witnes witnes s . I won’ on ’t wors wors hip any god go d but b ut God the Father. Fath er. I wil will not no t com c omm mit adu a dulltery. te ry. I wil will not no t cove co vet,” t,” and an d s o on. o n. W rite rite out ou t your yo ur li life princ princiiples. ples . Step Six Six: Choo ho o s e You Yourr Go Go als and a nd Object Objectiives ve s Goal oa ls are the th e s teps neces s ary ary to fulfi ulfill your yo ur vis vis ion. on . What pr p ractical actical things do you yo u need to do to accompl accompliis h your yo ur dream? dream? Goals Goals ar a re clear markers arkers that t hat wil will take you yo u where you yo u need n eed to go. go . Write Write out you y ourr goal go alss . Objecti bjectives ves are the detai det ailled s teps of your you r goals goals . They They determi determine when you yo u want things to happen hap pen.. You You mus t clearl clearly deli delineate what you need to t o do and when you yo u need to do d o it it in in order to get ge t to t o where you yo u want to go. go . For For exam example, ple, if if you want to open op en a mechani mechanics cs s hop, hop , and one o ne of your goals goals is to go to s chool cho ol to learn learn mech mechanics anics,, som so me of your yo ur obj ob jecti ect ives ve s wil will be to to choos cho os e a scho s chool ol,, fill out ou t an appl ap pliication cation,, and s tart clas classs es. es . Objective bjectivess s hould ho uld includ includee spec s peciific fic tim timetables eta bles.. Write Write out ou t your yo ur objecti objectives ves . Step Seven: Seve n: Ide Ident ntiify You Yourr Resou es ources rces You You now no w need nee d to to identif den tify y all the th e res resou ources rces you y ou will need nee d to accom acco mplis plis h you y our r vision. Identi den tiffy your yo ur human human needs n eeds .
What Wh at hel h elp p do you yo u need n eed from others oth ers to t o fulfi ulfill your yo ur vis vis ion? on ? What kind of o f pers pers onal ass ociati ociations ons do you y ou need n eed to have—and h ave—and not have? Identi den tiffy your yo ur resou es ourrce needs . What Wh at kind kindss of res resou ourrces do you yo u need n eed to t o fulf fulfill your yo ur vis vis ion? on ? Don’t on ’t worr worry y abo a bout ut how ho w large large they th ey may s eem. eem. Write Write the t hem m dow do wn. Write Write down your you r strength strengthss . Who are are you? you ? What are your gif gifts? ts ? What do you y ou know you are are good go od at? at ? Write Write dow do wn your yo ur answ ans wers ers , and then make ake plans plans to refi refine your yo ur streng s trength thss . For For exam example, ple, if if your you r vis vis ion requires requires that th at you have to t o s peak before before lar large ge gr g roups oup s of people, people, you have h ave to s tart stepp st eppiing out ou t and doi do ing it. You You’’re probabl probab ly goi g oing ng to be be s cared at firs t, yet God will give give you yo u oppo op porrtuni tun ities ties to s peak at dif different erent s tages tage s s o you yo u can devel dev elop op you y ourr gif gift. You You don d on’’t even know no w what you y ou can do until un til you yo u hav h avee to. to . Som Somee amaz amaziing gifts gifts come come out of people when when they are under un der pres presss ure. Write Write dow do wn your yo ur weaknes eaknesss es. es . What does your you r vis vis ion need n eed that you y ou aren’t aren’t good go od at? Don’t Don’t be as a s ham ha med of o f your yo ur weakne weakness s es, es , b ecaus eca us e everyo ev eryone ne has h as s omething omething they th ey are not no t good go od at. at . You don d on’’t have hav e the mon monop opol oly y on that. th at. Howeve However, r, you yo u mus mus t identi ident ify them th em becaus bec aus e God God wil will s uppl upp ly other oth er peopl peop le to do what you cann ot do toward toward your you r vis vis ion. on . You You need other oth er peopl peop le in in you y ourr li life becaus be caus e you y ourr vis vis ion cannot cann ot be fulfi ulfilled by you yo u alon alone. e. Step Ste p Eig h t: Comm Commit to Yo u r Vi Vis io n Yo u wil will nev ne v er ful fu lfil fill you yo u r
visi vis ion if you yo u are a re not no t co c o mmitted tt ed to it. You You wil will need ne ed to make a s pecifi pecific deci d eciss ion that you yo u are goi go ing to foll ollow through throug h with what you yo u want to do, do , ackno acknow wledgi edg ing that tha t God God may refi refine you y our r pl p lans an s as He lead leadss y ou throu th rough gh the th e proces proc esss . A ls o, com co mmit yo y o ur vision to God on a regul regu lar bas is . Proverbs Proverbs 16:3 says say s , “Com “Comm mit to the Lord what whatever ever you do, do , and you y ourr plans plans will s ucceed.” ucceed .” Comm ommit to t o your yo ur vi v is ion. on . Comm ommit your yo ur vi v is ion to God. od .
Taki ng Act ctii on Action Steps to Bringing Your Vision into Reality The Principl Principles es and an d Proces s of Vi Vis ion Sigh Sightt is is a fun functi ction on of o f the eyes ey es,, but vision is is a functi funct ion of the heart. hea rt. “Eyes “Eyes that th at look are are com co mmon, on , but bu t eyes ey es that th at s ee are rare.” rare.” Withou With outt vi v is ion, on , s ight gh t has no hope. Sigh Sightt is is the abi ab ility to t o see s ee things as they are; are; vision vision is the capacity capacity to s ee things things as they t hey coul cou ld be. “Fai “Faith th is the s ubs tance of things things hoped hop ed for, for, the evidence evidence of o f things things not s een [wi [with the natural eye]” ey e]” (Heb (Hebrew rewss 11:1 1:1 n kjv). Faith Faith is s eeing the th e futur utu re in in the t he present. presen t. Fai Faith th is vis vis ion. on . The Pri Princi nc iples of Vi Vis ion 1. Vis ion is is the th e prod product uct of pur pu rpos po s e. 2. Vis ion is is the t he sou s ource rce of true lead leadersh ershiip. 3. Vis ion is is docum doc umen ented ted purpos purpo s e. 4. Vis ion is is deta de taiiled, ed , cus cu s tom to mized, ed , distinct dis tinctiiv e, uni un ique, qu e, and reasonabl easo nable. e. 5. Vis ion never nev er mainta aintaiins the statu s tatuss quo q uo.. 6. Vis ion alw always ay s deman demands ds chan ch ange. ge.
7. Vis ion is is fut future-f ure-foc ocus us ed. ed . 8. Vis ion creat creates es self s elf-di -diss cipli cipline. ne . 9. Vis ion is a res result ult of godly go dly ins ins piration. piration. 10. 10. Vis ion is is not no t the th e mis s ion. on . 11. 11. Vis ion is is generation gen erational. al. 12. Vis ion is is manif manifes ested ted in phas ph ases es.. 13. Vis ion is alway alwayss gi g iven ve n to individu individual alss . 14. Vis ion is is greater g reater than th an the th e vis vis ionary. on ary. 15. 15. Vis ion is more more powerful than th an deat de ath. h. 16. 16. Vis ion empo empower werss peop pe oplle to acti act ion. on . The Proces s of Vi Vis ion 1. Vis ion mus mus t be captured. capt ured. 2. Vis io n mu mu s t be simp simp lifi ified. ed . 3. Vis ion mus mus t be docum doc umen ented ted.. 4. Vis ion mus mus t be comm communi un icated cat ed.. 5. Vis ion mus mus t be shared sh ared ownership. owners hip. 6. Vis ion mus mustt be both bot h personal perso nal and cor co rpor po rate. 7. Vis ion mus mus t produce produ ce a plan.
8. Vis ion mus mus t be cons tantly tan tly revis revis ed. 9. Vis ion mus mus t be evaluated. evaluate d. 10. 10. Vis ion mus mus t create priori priorities ties.. How to Wri W rite te a Miss Mis s ion Statement Statement A mi mis s ion is a general gen eral s tatement tatement of o f pur pu rpos po s e that th at decl d eclares ares the th e over ov eral alll idea of o f what you y ou want to accompl accompliis h. It It is phi p hillosop os ophical hical and abs tract rather than practical prac tical and an d conc co ncrete. rete. A wri written mis s ion s tatement tatement def d efiines the pur pu rpos po s e and us tifi tificati cat ion for your yo ur exi exis tence ten ce (person (pers onal al and corporate). corpo rate). To write your personal mission statement, ask yourself the foll ollowing owing ques qu esti tion onss : 1. What Wh at repre repress ents the deepes t and best bes t wi within thin me? me? 2. W hat ha t woul wou ld fulfi fulfill my gi g ifts and a nd expres expres s my my capacity to contri co ntribu bute te to hum hu manity? anity? 3. W hat integrates inte grates all all my phys ph ys ical, mental ent al,, s oci oc ial, al, and s piri piritual needs? needs ? 4. W hat creates and a nd refl reflects ect s my my principl principle-bas e-based ed values? 5. W h at wou wo u ld fu fu lfil lfilll all my roles roles in life—fami life—family, ly, profes pro fesss ional, on al, com co mmuni un ity, ty , and an d gen g eneration erational? al? How to W rite rite Your ou r Perso Persona nall Vis ion True True vision is the th e produ pro duct ct of o f a clear s ens en s e of purpo pu rposs e and an d deep d eep ins pirat piratiion. on . The foll following owing ques qu estions tions will help you yo u to t o identi ident ify and an d refine refine you y our r
perso pe rsona nall visi vis ion. on . 1. What Wh at is my my deepes t des ire? 2. What Wh at do I want to leave leave to this gener gene ration ation as a contribution? 3. What Wh at is is the t he idea idea that never n ever leaves me? 4. What Wh at do I cons con s tantl tant ly im imagine about my my futu futurre? 5. What Wh at do I feel truly truly pass pas s ionate on ate about? about ? 6. W hat one o ne thi th ing woul wou ld I do if I knew ne w I coul cou ld not no t fail? 7. W hat ha t do I s ee my my fut future ure loo look kin g li like? 8. W hat is the th e mos mos t im important po rtant thi th ing I wis h I could co uld do in my life? 9. W hat are my cons tant, tan t, reoccurr reoccu rriing dreams dreams ? 10. 10. W hat ha t wou woulld bring bring me me the greate grea tess t fulfi fulfilllment? en t? Keys to Fulfilling Your Vision • identify • • clarify clarify • • refine • • docum do cument ent • • articulate articulate •
• communicate • • demon demonss trate • • reevaluate • • revise revis e • • repeat • • Vis Vision ion s imp imp lifi lifies es life life •
Persona Perso nall Plan Plan Prog Program ram:: A Syste Sys tem mati at ic Strateg Strat egy y To fulfi fulfill the th e plans plan s for y our ou r life, it is is neces ne ces s ary to discipl dis cipliin e yours yo urself elf and an d s ubm ub mit to t o wis wis e coun co unss el, el, as it is writte ritten: n: “Plans “Plans fail fail for for lack lack of coun co unss el, el, but bu t with with many an y advise ad visers rs they th ey s ucceed uc ceed”” (Pr (Prov ov.. 15 15:22). The foll following owing ques qu estions tions mus t be b e ans an s wered wered and a nd fulfi ulfilled for the success s uccess of your plans: plans: 1. W hat do I want an t to accom acco mplis plis h? 2. Who Wh o do I need? need ? 3. W here he re can I go for inform nfo rmat atiion? on ? 4. What Wh at do I need to read? read? 5. Who Wh o s houl ho uld d I ass as s ociate with? 6. How long on g shou sh oulld it it take? take?
7. How mu ch wil will it cos co s t? 8. What Wh at courses s houl hou ld I take? take? 9. W here can I get expe experi rienc ence? e? 10. What Wh at do I have? hav e? Seven Sev en Prin Prin ciples o f Vi Vis io n (from (from Habakk Hab akku u k 2: 2:1-4) 1-4) 1. The principl principlee of docum do cument entation ation (wri (write te the th e vis vis ion) on ) 2. The Th e principle of s imp lifica fication tion (make (make it it plain) 3. The principl principlee of s har ha red visi vis ion (give it it to the th e heralds) 4. The pri p rinc nciiple of parti pa rticipat cipatiion (let (let them th em run with with it) 5. The pri p rinc nciiple o f timi timing (an appo ap poiinted nt ed ti t ime) 6. The pri p rinc nciiple of patienc pa tiencee (wai (waitt for it) 7. The Th e principle of faith faith (it wi will certainly ce rtainly com co me) Persona Perso nall Plan Planning ning and an d Goal oa l-Set -Setting ting Prog Program ram Year: Name: Name: By God’s od ’s grace, grac e, I comm commit to t o accom acc ompli pliss hing the th e followi following ng goals this year: Personal Spiritual Goals 1. 2.
3. Perso Pers o n al Famil Family y Go als 1. 2. 3. Person Perso n al Health Health Goal oa ls 1. 2. 3. Person Perso n al Acade Aca dem mic Goa Goalls 1. 2. 3. Personal Career Goals 1. 2. 3. Personal Relationship Goals
1. 2. 3. Person Perso n al Fina Financ nciial Goa Goalls 1. 2. 3. Pers Pers onal on al Inv Inves estm tment ent Goal oa ls 1. 2. 3. (See sam s ampl plee goal g oalss on page pag e 230 230.) I pres presss on toward toward the t he goal go al to win win the t he p riz rize for which which God God has ha s called called me heav h eaven enwar ward d in Chris hris t Jesus Jesu s . —Phil —Philippi pp ians an s 4:1 4:13 Sample Goals: read s even book boo ks on s pir piritual subj sub jects increase communication with family lose weight
get a phys ph ysiical checkup earn a mas master’ ter’ss degr deg ree take continuing education courses meet five five n ew fri friends en ds open a savi s avings ngs account reduce redu ce or elim eliminate na te all fina financ nciial debt deb t purcha pu rchass e real esta es tate te
A Word or d to Thi rd-W rd-Wor orll d Na Nati ons The abi ab ility to dream is the greatest greates t power p ower on earth. earth. The abil ability to s ee your yo ur hope hop e is is the greatest greates t motivator motivator of humanity. humanity. The abi ab ility to imagi ag ine and a nd incuba ncu bate te a vi v is ion is inherent nh erent in the th e hum hu man s piri pirit and an d man maniifests fest s its elf elf in the t he day d aydream dreamss of every child. child. This gi g ift of im imaginati aginat ion and the th e capacity cap acity to cul cu ltivate aspir as pirations ations is the th e im impartati partat ion of the th e Spiri Spirit of o f the Creat Creator or of all all things. things . It It provides manki mankind nd with with the t he power p ower to hop h opee beyon bey ond d the th e presen pres ent—an t—an abi ab ility that th at has h as moti ot ivate va ted d th t h e hum hu man race throughout througho ut the th e ages to bel b eliieve in in an uns een future. future. Withou Withoutt hope, ho pe, li life has no pos po s itive fut future, ure, and di d is illus ionm on ment becom be comes es a way of o f li life. The abil a biliity to dream is the th e greates g reatestt power p ower on earth ea rth becau be causs e it it is is the th e ess es s ence en ce of o f true faith. Life was des d esiigned gn ed to t o be b e li lived intenti nten tion onal allly and an d on o n purpos p urpos e, but bu t mo mo s t of o f the th e peop pe oplle of the th e world world exi exis t und u nder er circum circumss tanc ta nces es beyo be yond nd their th eir cont co ntrol rol.. They The y liv liv e by dures du resss rather rath er than tha n des d estiny tiny.. It is is s aid aid that t hat the th e poore po oress t person perso n in in the th e worl world is is the per p erss on withou th outt a dream d ream.. When Whe n the t he dream d ream dies, dies , the hum h uman an s piri pirit di d ies. es . The gr g reates t tr t ragedy aged y in lif life is is not no t death d eath,, but life witho without ut a purpo pu rposs e. Purp Purpos os e is is the th e sou s ource rce of mean meaniing in life life and s erves erve s as the womb omb for the concept con ceptiion of dreams dreams and vision visionss . Therefor Therefore, e, the gr g reates t inj injus us tice tice that th at can be impo imposs ed on o n the th e hum hu man s pir pirit is the th e termi terminati nat ion of its its abili ability to dream and have hav e a visi vis ion. on . Remem emembe berr the p rinc rinciiple of o f Ki King Solomon Solomon:: “W “Whe here re there th ere is is no vision, the t he people peo ple per pe ris h” (Prov. (Prov. 29: 29:18 kj kjv). The capacity cap acity to dream is the th e abi ab ility to keep living. In ess es s ence, enc e, to have h ave a purpo pu rposs e is is to disco dis cove verr hope ho pe,, to hop h opee is is to dream, dream, to dream is to
culti cultivate vate a vis vis ion, to pos s ess a vis vis ion is to have faith, faith, and to to have hav e faith faith is to t o have h ave a reason reas on to live. live. There There is is no greater robbery ob bery than th an to t o s teal vis vis ion from a person pers on or a peopl peo ple, e, for for to destroy des troy vision is is to des d estroy troy li life. Of the over o ver si s ix bill billion peop pe oplle on o n pl p lanet an et earth e arth tod t oday ay,, I estim es timate ate that t hat abou ab outt four bill billion are strugg st rugglling with the th e reali reality of a vi v is ionl on less es s , dreaml dreamless es s life. For For mos most, t, histor histo ry has robbed ob bed them the m of the capaci cap acity ty to dream and to live with with hope ho pe for a better bett er future. futu re. Mill Millions on s live in nations n ations , soc s ociieties, eties , and com co mmuni un ities that th at are are produ products cts of years years of o f oppr opp ress ion and s uppr upp ress es s ion. Hundreds un dreds of year yea rs of colonial colonialiis m, dictato dictatorrs hips hips,, and s lavery have hav e rendered rende red them th em visual visu allly dull d ull—m —mot otiivated va ted onl on ly by b y a s piri pirit to survive. They live for immediate gratification and plan only for each day. Many have hav e no s ense ens e of purpos purpos e, hope, hop e, vis vis ion, or a future, futu re, and an d they th ey s truggle trug gle dai da ily to make li life work work.. These Thes e peopl peop le represe represent nt the th e lar larges ges t percentage percentag e of the hum h uman an popu po pullati at ion and an d hav h avee been be en defi d efine ned d as Third-Worl Third-Wo rld d dev d evelop elopiing nati nat ions on s . Hi His tori to ricall cally y s peak pe akiing, ng , ThirdThird-W W orld orld peop pe oplle are defi d efine ned d as thos tho s e who eithe eitherr did did not n ot or were were not al a llowed to partici participate pate in or benefit from the industrial revolution. Many were victims of slavery, indentured servitude, and subjection to imperialist power po werss . Today Tod ay,, des de s pite the t he prol p roliiferat feratiion of achi ach ievem ev emen entt of o f national indepen nd ependen dence ce by many of thes e peopl peo ples es,, mos mostt are sti st ill s truggli trug gling ng with the th e reality reality of econ ec onom omiic, techn te chnological ological,, pol po litical, tical, and social colonialism. The im impact of oppress ion on o n thes th esee peopl peop le has been devas dev astating. tating. They have hav e experi experienced enced the loss os s of sel s elff-worth, sel s elff-
esteem es teem,, selfself-concept con cept,, and a sens s ens e of o f dign digniity. However, However, the greates greatestt tragedy of oppress ion was the t he des tructi truction on of o f the capacity to dream and have hav e vision vision.. The res resul ultt is is that many of thes e nations, nations , even after after many year y earss of nation national al indepen nd ependen dence, ce, are stil s tilll locked oc ked in in a time time warp of self s elf-defeat -defeatiing beha be havior. vior. “Wher “Wh eree there is is no vi v is ion, on , the peopl peo plee peris peris h” coul co uld d des d escri cribe be many an y of o f the th e devel dev elop opiing Third-Wo Third-Worl rld d nations n ations , where s ucces s ive gov g over ernm nment entss are are challeng challenged ed by b y a lack lack of nation national al pride pride,, a poo po o r work ethic, et hic, a culture of corr co rru u pti pt ion, on , and an d the t heiir citiz citizenry’s enry’s los s of hope. ho pe. Many Ma ny of the th e poli p olitical tical,, civic, civic, and an d reli eligious leaders of thes e nati nat ions on s als als o lack the perspecti persp ective ve of of a long-ter on g-term m vis vis ion appr app roach to governi go verning ng and leadershi eaders hip. p. For mos t of o f thes e leaders leaders,, survi s urvival, val, s uspi us pici cion on,, protection protectioniis m, and s elf elf-pres -preservation ervation are thei th eirr prim primary mot motiivato va tors. rs. A restoration rest oration of o f the th e visionary visiona ry spir s piriit and an d the t he cap c apacity acity to dream is imperati pe rative ve.. A lack lack of vis vis ionar on ary y leaders leaders has h as contri con tribu buted ted to t o the th e state s tate of o f many an y of o f thes e deve d evellopi op ing nations na tions in Central Ameri America, ca, Africa, Africa, the th e Cari Caribb bbean ean,, the th e Far East, as t, and As A s ia. It It is is my hop h opee that th at this t his new centu cen tury ry wi will produc prod ucee a new n ew breed of o f lead leaders ers who are moti ot ivated va ted by a sens s ens e of purpos purpo s e and wil will exerci exerciss e visionary visiona ry leadershi eadersh ip that th at ins inspi pirres conf con fidence den ce and trus t amon among g the th e peop pe oplle. We need n eed leaders ead ers to t o prom p romot otee nation na tional al visi vis ions on s that th at can c an birth birth the th e creati creat ive cap c apacity acity of o f perso pe rsona nall visi vis ions on s . The weal wealth th and an d natural n atural resou es ourrces in thes th esee devel dev elop opiing nations are tremendous and, if properly managed, could eradicate eradicate the th e pl p light gh t of o f pover pov erty ty with which hich many of thes the s e count cou ntri ries es are now comm commonl on ly identi ident ified fied.. The The abu a buss e,
mis manage an agem ment, en t, rape rape,, and hoarding h oarding of o f thi th is wealth wealth have hav e rendered many millions of people helpless, depressed, desti des titut tute, e, disil disillus ioned, on ed, and devas dev astated tated.. The ans wer to thi th is dilem dilemm ma is is not no t more more foreign foreign aid, aid, United United Nations hando han dout utss , or IMF debtdebt -cancellati cancellation on programs programs , but the concept con ceptiion of nobl nob le vis vis ions on s . We need n eed the th e emer emergen gence ce of leadershi eaders hip p that th at can see s ee beyo be yond nd their th eir perso pe rsona nall pockets po ckets and an d cap ca p ture tu re a Go Go d-ins d-ins pired pired vis vis ion of o f the nati n ation on that t hat inco incorrpor po rates the as pir piration ationss of the peop pe oplle and an d the t heiir righ rightt to purs pu rsue ue the t heiir pers pe rson onal al dream drea ms and an d visions . I believ believee the th e key key is vi v is ionary on ary lead leadersh ershiip. May the princi principles ples in this boo b ook k be a s our ou rce of ign igniiting ting the pas pa s s ion o f purpo pu rposs e in in the t he hearts h earts of thi th is very ve ry spe s pecial cial and an d uni un ique qu e group of o f peopl peo ple. e. May you y ou be b e ins inspir pired ed to di d is cover cov er,, pursu pu rsue, e, and fulfi fulfilll the th e visi vis ions on s in yo y o ur hearts hea rts and an d max maxiimize the th e pote po tent ntiial trappe trap ped d with withiin you y ou,, pote po tent ntiial that th at was buri bu ried ed in the th e histori hist orical cal grave of o f low sel se lf-es f-estee teem m and s elf elf-doubt -dou bt.. May you yo u dream dreams dreams that th at inspir ins piree your yo ur children children to t o dream d ream and have ha ve vis vis ions on s of a better bet ter worl world. d. May your yo ur vis vis ions on s becom beco me reali reality and impact thos tho s e who are not no t yet y et born. b orn. May the t he Thir Third Worl W orld d live live up to its des tiny tiny and s et an exam exampl plee for all all the world orld to t o s ee. May you yo u s ee far farther ther than your yo ur eyes can look.
About the Author Dr. Myl My les Munroe Mu nroe is an international inte rnational mot motiivational va tional speaker sp eaker,, bes be s t-sell t-s elliing auth au thor, or, educat edu cator, or, lead leaders ership hip men mento tor, r, and an d cons con s ultant ultant for gover gov ernm nment ent and bus bu s ines s . Tr Traveling aveling extens extens ively througho throug hout ut the th e worl world, d, Dr. Munr Mun roe addr add ress es s es cri critical tical is is s ues affecti affecting ng the full range ang e of o f hum hu man, an , soci so cial al,, and s piri piritual tu al devel dev elop opm ment. en t. The cent ce ntrral them th emee of o f his mess es s age ag e is the t he maxi aximizati at ion of ind indiividual vidu al pote po tent ntiial, includi nclud ing the th e trans formation ormation of o f ffoll ollower owerss into nt o leaders and an d leaders eaders into agents of change. Dr. Munroe Mu nroe is found fou nder er and presiden p residentt of o f Baham aha mas Faith Faith Ministri Minist ries es Internat Inte rnatiional on al (B (BFMI), FMI), a multidi multidim mens en s ional on al organi organ ization head h eadqu quartered artered in in Nass Nas s au, au , Baham ah amas as.. He He is is chief execu executive tive officer officer and chai ch airm rman an of o f the boa b oard rd of the Internati Internat ional on al Thir Third Worl W orld d Leaders Leaders As s ociati ociation on and president of o f the Internati Internat ional on al Leadersh ead ershiip Training Training Institute Ins titute.. Dr. Munroe is als als o the t he found ou nder er and execut executiive producer produ cer of a number of radio and television programs aired worldwide. In addi add ition tion,, he is is a frequ frequent ent gues gu estt on other oth er televi televiss ion and radio program pro gramss and an d internat inte rnatiional on al network ne tworkss and an d is a cont co ntri ribu buting ting wri writer te r for for vari va riou ouss Bible edi ed itions tion s , jou journals rnals,, mag magaz aziines ne s , and newsl news letters, ett ers, s uch as The Beli eliever eve r’s Topi Top ical Bi Bible, The Afr A friican Cu ltural tu ral Heri Herita tag g e To T o p ical Bi Bib le, Chari Cha riss ma Life Chris Chris tian Magazine, Magazine, and Mini Miniss tries tries Today. Today . A popu po pullar author autho r of over ov er forty forty books bo oks,, his his work works include nclud e The Pri Principles nciples and Power Power of Change, The Fatherhood Principle, The Most Important Person
on Earth, The Spiri Spirit of o f Lead Leadersh ershiip, Myl My les Mynroe My nroe on on Relations elations hips: hips : A 365-Day -Day Devoti Devot ional on al,, Und Underst erstand andiing the th e Purpo Purposs e and Power Power of Prayer, Prayer, Under nd erss tandi tand ing the Purpos e and Power Power of Wom Wo man, and Under nd erss tandi tan ding ng the Purpo Purposs e and Power Power of Men. Dr. Munr Mun roe has h as changed chan ged the lives lives of mul multi titud tudes es arou around nd the world orld with with a power po werful ful mess es s age ag e that th at inspir ins pires es,, mot motiivates vat es,, challeng challenges es,, and empo empow wers ers people peo ple to di d is cover cov er personal perso nal purpo pu rposs e, develop dev elop true t rue pote po tent ntiial, and an d man maniifest fes t their th eir uni un ique qu e leadershi eadersh ip abi ab ilities ties.. For For over ov er thir thirty years, he has trained trained tens of thous thou s ands of leader leaderss in bus bu s iness nes s , indus ndu s try, try, education, education, governm go vernment, ent, and an d reli religion gion.. He He per pe rs onal on allly add a ddrress es s es over ov er 500,000 people each year on personal and professional devel dev elop opm ment. Hi His appeal app eal and mess es s age tr t rans cend age, race, race, culture, creed, and economic background. Dr. Munroe Mu nroe has h as earned B.A. and M.A. degrees de grees from from Oral Oral Rober ob erts ts University niversity and an d the t he University University of Tuls Tuls a, and he h e has been be en awar a warde ded d a nu n u mber be r of hono ho norary rary doct do ctoral oral degrees de grees . He has als als o served s erved as an a n adjunct profess or of the Gr Graduate adu ate School of Theol Theo logy og y at Oral Oral Roberts ob erts Unive University. rsity. Dr. Munroe Mu nroe and a nd his wife wife Rut Ruth h travel t ravel as a team te am and an d are inv involved olved in teach t eachiing s emi eminars na rs toge to geth ther. er. Both ot h are lead leaders ers who mi minister nist er with s ens itive tive hearts h earts and an d internat internatiional on al vis vis ion. on . They They are are the th e proud pro ud parent pa rentss o f two col co llege eg e gradua grad uate tess , Chari ha riss a and an d Cha Chaiiro (Myles, Jr.).
