“Where there is no vision the people perish (Proverbs 19:3a)”. We have heard this many times. But what does it mean? We understand that vision is something we must all have if we want to be successful. We must set goals. Even the world is taught this. Corporate businesses have visions and goals so that they can succeed. The saying “…if you fail to plan you plan to fail”, holds true.
What does this mean to you as a child of God who desires to see God’s kingdom advance on this earth? It is not just about setting goals that seem godly and righteous. Goals such as “I want to see the lost saved”, or “I want to start and grow a large local church”, or “I want to read my bible in one year”, are just as ineffective and selfish (yes selfish) as saying “I want to be a millionaire”, or “I want to build the biggest business”, or “I want to lose weight”. Why?
If there is no ultimate end in mind, then the vision and goal becomes an end in itself and is selfish. Therefore, we must ask another question first. What is God’s purpose for us on earth and in with that end in mind, set goals and establish a vision.
God’s purpose for us on this earth is a Three Phase Vision
1. That we become a child of God the Father (attain adoption of sonship and the inheritance of a heir)
2. That we fulfill the great commission left behind by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (God the Son) – Preach the message to all creation, every tongue and tribe.
3. That the glory of God would fill the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit with signs and wonder following including healing, deliverances, miracles, etc.
Now, based on this Three Phase Vision, any goal and vision we set for our personal life, corporate life, family life, etc, will have a purpose to fulfill. And that not only includes “reading my bible in a year”, or “praying daily”, but also “being a millionaire”, or “owning a private jet”, or “having a successful business”, etc.
Don’t feel condemned to write goals that don’t seem spiritual (such as losing weight, etc) as long as you understand that it fulfills a greater purpose of the Three Phase Vision of God. Be careful you don’t set goals that seem spiritual and might make you feel superior to others but is not based on the Three Phase Vision of God. This is selfish and will bring death into your life ultimately.
If you have no vision and no goals, you are as good as dead. There is no life and push to exist. There is no purpose making you like a blind man caught in a field of pits.
Set goals, have a vision, have a great vision, the God of the impossible is with you and if you are wrong He will correct your path. But as they say a moving ship is easier to steer than a still one. Therefore if you have goals and visions you are moving and it is easier to steer and make course corrections.
When God created the world, He had a purpose, that man would be made in God’s image and have the freedom to love God and worship him. It started with a vision (Let us create man in our image). When Jesus came to this earth He had a vision and purpose, to save mankind from eternal death because of Adam’s sin in the garden. He fulfilled it even though the enemy tried to sabotage it. When the Holy Spirit was promised to the disciples including us today, there was a clear purpose, to empower us, to teach and lead us in all truth and to convict the world of sin.
If setting goals are important to God, how much more to you and me? Set goals in your life. Even if it is as simple as to get up earlier in the morning, or spend more time with your kids, spouse, loved one. Set goals. Make sure those goals are with the three phase vision in mind.
“If you want to sow this seed in your life, click here to find out how, then use the prayer below as a sample of taking action.”
Pray:
Repent
Father, forgive me for not having goals and a purpose in my life or for having goals that were selfish and self-centered even if they had a form of godliness. I am sorry.
Declare
In the name of Jesus Christ I speak the three phase vision of God into my life and my environment and I speak purpose in my life. I choose to step out in vision and set goals for my life. In Jesus name. Amen
by Rueben Neelshan Sarvananthan
May 2006, re-posted Sept 2009
Leave a comment