It Starts with a Vision

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Prov. 29:18

A few years ago, I visited Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The birthplace of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s famous flights in a man-made airplane.  Replicas of 1903 Wright Flyer and the Wright Glider are on display at the little museum. I found it interesting that these men were from Dayton, Ohio and built engines not airplanes. The inspiration and vision to build “flying machines” came from some individuals who were successful at glider planes. The brothers used their mechanical ingenuity to create an airplane using the 4-cycle engine they had built. They had a vision that this was going to work, and it did, the rest they say is history! The world benefits from their vision.

I believe we would all agree that part of the eternal plan of God, if not the most important, is to build His church. The evidence of the New Testament scriptures and decrees go like this.

“Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:16-18

”The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” I Peter 2:9

“I will build my church” Matt. 16:18

These thoughts and many others were modeled by Jesus as he went about his ministry. He showed and taught his disciples in the day to day concerning his vision. Yes, there were multiple miracle moments for sure, but mostly it was just as he went about his day. His purpose was clearly stated.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

As a man, that is a mortal being who needed to sleep and eat, he went after the work God the Father had given him to do. Jesus’ vision for his disciples, and for all of us, is that we would pick up the work he left for us to do on earth. The vision started in heaven, passed down through Jesus, and now is embodied in you and me.

Ephesians chapter one shares all the wonderful blessings that He bestowed upon us with the purpose that we “might be to the praise of the glory of His grace”. He also gave us gifts, talents, abilities, and creative minds to accomplish the work. It’s not a role we play or responsibility, it should be WHO WE ARE! We are ambassadors, carriers of the  gospel of peace. The Apostle Paul shared in Corinthians, that it is the “love of Christ, that constrains us.” 2 Cor. 5:14 We are motivated to do the work of God because of the Love of God that is within us.

"But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts". 1 Thess.2:4

The Apostle Paul told the churches of Asia Minor that God entrusted us with the gospel of his grace. Because of this, should we not seek to fulfill what he has called us to do? When Jesus left this earth and ascended into heaven he shared this last command.

“But when The Spirit of Holiness will come upon you, you shall receive power. You shall be witnesses”. Acts 1:8

Vision for the expansion of the Kingdom of God, should be a natural part of our being. It should be written into the fabric of Christian ministry, whether that is in the church, organization, missions, Christian schools, or in whatever we are doing. Oh, we might think our gifting or abilities do not naturally lean in that direction but that is where we lean into the power of the Spirit of God.

God will provide everything we need to make the plan of God move forward. He dwells in the realm of the impossible. That which is not possible with man is possible with God! I have had the joy and privilege of leading many visions to reality and the one area that seems to be the most difficult to trust is the finances. Over the many years of ministry endeavors the one area God always supplies is funding. Ministries and churches can struggle over personalities, Biblical issues, or other challenges, but God always supplies the money.

Have you prayed and sought God for a vision for your ministry? The status quo does not correlate to the commands of the scriptures. Yes, we are to “feed the flock” and study His word and take care of our people. But the overriding purposes of God for His church is that all should hear the Good News. Over the course of my lifetime the population of the earth has tripled. That’s just scary. It’s an overwhelming thought but God desires that we do our part, so having vision on how to accomplish that should be incorporated into our prayer life and thinking patterns.

God will give you a vision if you seek His face concerning it. If we ask, he will do it. Our ministry of capital campaigns is a vehicle God has chosen for us to assist you in that vision. We believe God has a vision for your ministry.