Andy Stanley in his book Visioneering: God’s blueprint For Developing And Maintaining Vision Speaks about Good Ideas Versus God Ideas. He says that “Good ideas are limited to our potential, connections, and resources. If you are simply pursuing a good idea, then you need to devote a great deal of time and energy trying to figure out how to pull it off.”
A divine vision, on the other hand, is limited only by God’s potential and resources. That means anything is possible. If it is just a good idea, you have to make it happen. When God gives you a vision, there’s a sense in which you stand back and watch it happen.”
So if it’s just one of my numerous good ideas…I have to work hard to make it happen…and if it happens, I get the credit. On the other hand if it’s a real vision from the Lord…I still have to work hard. but if it happens…especially if I don’t have the know-how, etc. to make it happen…then God gets the credit.
As George Barna says in his book, The Power of Vision: Discover and Apply God’s Plan For Your Life and Ministry, “Our greatest obligation while we are on earth is to know God more intimately and to bring ever greater glory to His name by our efforts. To assist us in that effort, God wants to share with you His vision for your life and ministry.”
He goes on to say “Just as the pastor is the leader of a church, you are called to be the leader of your personal ministry and to live that ministry in accordance with God’s expectations and desires for you, as outlined through the vision.”
He further states, “Aggressively seek to understand what God is calling you to do that distinguishes you from every other believer and that makes you a unique ambassador for Christ.” I’m working on that…interesting how the Holy Spirit works in our lives and leads us in some new interesting directions…sometimes.
He ends his conclusion in his book by stating, “Use your vision as the decision-making filter that determines which opportunities you pursue and which ones you reject.”
We all have great ideas, but what is a vision from the LORD and worth pursuing in earnest?
Some further thoughts on the book.
What vision is the Holy Spirit impressing on your mind now?
Your vision may be a new life for your family, a new job, starting a business, starting a new non profit or…any new idea…, this link from a prior post has elements that also may pertain to your particular vision!
What vision or visions has the LORD impressed upon your mind recently?
