On the road already…pre 4th Holiday.
In the grand tapestry of existence, every thread—every life—has its place and purpose. The relationship between faith, vision, and service or ministry is not merely theoretical; it is the melody that gives movement and meaning to each day we are given. As Max Lucado so aptly observed, “There are things only you can do, and you are alive to do them. In the great orchestra we call life, you have an instrument and a song, and you owe it to God to play them both sublimely.” This image is both humbling and inspiring, awakening us to the essential truth that our days are not accidents, but divine appointments waiting to unfold.
The Call to Faith: Trusting in God’s Daily Presence
Faith is the wellspring from which vision and ministry flow. It is the decision to entrust the unknowns of our lives—our hopes, fears, and every fleeting moment—into the hands of the Creator. As Roy Lessin prays, “Father, as I begin this day I commit it to You. I lay all things at Your feet. I place all things into Your hands. I move forward in faith, believing that You go before me.” This daily act of surrender is not passive resignation, but an active, energizing relationship. It is the declaration that our time and talents are not our own, but gifts to steward for a greater purpose.
Scripture reminds us, “This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Each day is a unique creation, shaped by God’s intention and filled with fresh mercies. Faith is the posture that welcomes God’s presence into the ordinary, transforming routine into holy ground. In the quiet of morning, in the stillness before the world awakens, we offer ourselves anew, seeking strength, guidance, and anointing for the path ahead.
Attitude and Awareness: Approaching Each Day as Sacred
Attitude colors every experience, casting shadows or illuminating possibilities. When we approach the day with a heart surrendered to the Lord, burdens lighten and opportunities for joy multiply. John Ogilvie writes, “When we surrender a day to the Lord and spread out before Him all that we anticipate, suddenly the day is a delight and not a drudgery.” Faith is not a shield against difficulty, but a lens that reveals God’s hand at work in every circumstance. By beginning with quiet time—reporting in for divine duty, as it were—we receive the strategy and strength needed to navigate the day’s pressures and challenges.
Whether we are morning larks greeting the dawn or night owls burning the midnight oil, faith urges us to be awake to the Lord’s incredible possibilities “in each potential that masquerades as a problem.” Life’s most crucial decisions are made in the ordinary hours of daylight; it is there, in the business of living, that faith must be both anchor and compass.
Vision: Seeing Beyond the Present
Vision is the fruit of faith—a holy imagination that sees beyond immediate circumstances to the greater story God is writing. Os Guinness, in his book “The Call,” speaks of purpose as “the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to his summons and service.” Vision is not a fleeting dream or vague ambition; it is a response to a Voice that calls us out of comfort and into commitment.
Paul’s experience in Corinth is instructive. In Acts 18:9-10, during a season of fear and opposition, “the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision. ‘Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.’” The vision did not remove Paul’s challenges, but it reframed them. He was reminded of God’s presence and purpose, discovering the courage to persist in ministry despite uncertainty.
We, too, need a vision for the night—a guiding light when circumstances threaten to overwhelm. This vision is rooted in the assurance that we are not alone; the Lord is with us, and the assignment is not ours to accomplish in isolation. Vision gives us eyes to see the seeds of tomorrow’s harvest in the soil of today’s responsibilities.
