Discovering and Developing Vision

Over the past few weeks our series on missional vision has focussed on both the biblical basis and understanding for obtaining missional vision as well as some practical guidelines for church leaders in how to facilitate vision amongst the main body of the church.

To conclude this series I thought I'd go back and look at the general question of why we should have vision. This is a key issue when obtaining missional vision yourself and leading others to discover theirs. We need assurance that vision is necessary if we are to discover it, develop it and live it out.

A revelation of our salvation

'Where there is no vision, the people perish.' Proverbs 29 v 18

For me, this verse is the crux of the matter. Every talk I've ever heard on vision busts this out as standard. But it's not always clear what it's really getting at. The word 'vision' can have so many different meaning (I feel a Specsavers ad coming on….) but to feel confident in structuring both our lives and our church communities around 'vision' we need to be confident in what's behind this verse.

The Amplified Bible gives more detail to the language:

'Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man] – blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.'

So vision in this verse means a 'redemptive revelation of God'. Therefore we could say that one meaning of 'vision' relates to our seeing and understanding of our salvation in Jesus. That's something that most people in the church can hopefully get behind! But is there any more to 'vision' than knowing that we're saved? Do we need to have a personal vision, with our own mission statement and context?

A revelation of our identity

Proverbs 29 v 18 also references 1 Samuel 3 v 1, 'The word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; there was no frequent or widely spread vision.' This verse references God's 'word' and 'vision' as the direct revelation from God that we read of regularly in the Old Testament. This itself highlights that God's specific word (rhema in the Greek) and the revelation that accompanies it is necessary in order that we don't perish. Similarly the other reference made is from Amos 8 v 11 which talks about a famine, where there will be no word from the Lord. This signifies the relationship between God and His people. As a people Israel needed God's word to them, it was their whole structure for living and their lifeline in battles and times of need – His word gave them direction and life.

In the same way that a revelation of our salvation is imperative to our lives, a revelation of what that says about our creation and identity is also vital. We need a revelation of His word (both through the written word and His specific word) because He created us to have that kind of relationship with Him.

As we're made in His image and to be in relationship with Him, it's obvious to see that He's designed us to be in partnership with Him and implementing His plans. The issue of vision I believe is intertwined with the issue of identity. A right understanding of our humble position before God, but also the amazing invitation to be part of implementing His plans, is essential when we are trying to discover vision. So often 'vision' comes out of a place of insecurity, seeking affirmation, pride...etc, that we get side-tracked into thinking that vision is all about a life-plan or a revolution, not about Jesus and His Kingdom.

In John Wesley's famous prayer the line which states 'Put me to nothing' always presents a challenge to me. A great fear amongst many Christians who are passionate about God's kingdom is that they will never fully realise His call on their life, or that they will grow into old age feeling that they've never accomplished anything for the kingdom. But our acceptance by God doesn't come from what we've accomplished for Him. We're already accepted and that's not going to change. However, if we pursue a vision because we're trying to prove ourselves it's probably not going to get us very far!

A revelation of God's heart

'Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.' Psalm 37 v 4

As Simon discussed in last week's blog we need to get a revelation of God's heart, impressed upon our own. He has made us in His image, which means that the things He cares about He's made us to care about too. It also means that the skills and application needed has been put within us in order that the kingdom can be realised. God's put His desires and plans within us. A friend of mine always say 'It's in there, you just haven't realised it yet'. He's made us uniquely and as we let His heart impress upon ours we can discover the passions and desires that we have inherited from Him, in order that His kingdom can impact the earth.

A revelation of God's kingdom

And the Kingdom impacting earth is what it's all about! We need a revelation of Jesus and the authority and power He has, to give us confidence that the Kingdom is forcefully advancing. When we look at the book of Revelation God gave us a vision of an incredible life that we can look forward to - He (and we!) will build a new heaven and a new earth. If God has the vision for that, then He also has the vision for your street, neighbourhood, workplace, school, business, town, city, nation... to be transformed by His love. We need a revelation of what His plans are for those places. We only need to ask Him to show us what it is and what we do next.

• Do you have a revelation of your salvation that effects everyday life?

• Do you have a revelation of your identity and acceptance in Jesus, that means you seek 'vision' because of who you're made to be, not what you're trying to prove?

• Do you have a revelation of God's heart? Are you allowing His heart to be impressed upon yours?

• Do you have a revelation of God's kingdom and how it can impact the places you inhabit?