Overview:
The ability to have a vision for our lives is directly impacted by how much light (or God's revelation) we allow in our own lives. Our ability to have a vision for our lives is directly impacted by how much light (or God's revelation) we allow in our own lives. The more time we spend reading the Bible, praying to God, believing in faith, praising and worshiping Him, listening to Him, and being obedient to God's word, the greater revelation and sharper Godly vision we will receive. To develop a Godly vision for our lives, we must write down the vision in some way, make it plain, share the vision with others, and wait for it to happen.
“All vision begins with light.” I saw this phrase in my previous eye doctor’s office every year for nearly 20 years and honestly never paid much attention to it. Yet, a few years ago when I looked at these words as I waited to pick up my new contact lenses, I thought, “That’s so true and not just for our natural sight but also our spiritual sight!” If our eyes lose the ability to process light correctly, images become blurry, fuzzy, or, in the worst case, we lose our sight altogether. Similarly, our ability to have a vision for our lives is directly impacted by how much light (or God’s revelation) we allow in our own lives. For some of us, the problem is that we don’t have a vision for our lives, or if we have a vision, we don’t allow enough light (Godly revelation) to make the vision clear. Moreover, if we live in darkness (often caused by sin), it is hard to have a clear Godly vision for our lives.
How do we develop a Godly vision for our lives? Read the Bible, pray to God, believe in faith, praise, and worship Him, listen to Him and be obedient to God’s word. The more time we spend doing each of these, the greater revelation and sharper Godly vision we will receive. Habakkuk 2:2-3 then says that we should “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time….” These biblical verses also provide insight into how to take care of our God-given vision. The verbs “write,” and “make” explain what we should do when we get a vision from God. We must become active and do something with what we hear God telling us to do.
We need to write down the vision in some way. This includes writing in a journal or creating a vision board with images that remind us of what God has shown us. Making it plain means that we have to spend time in prayer and get a complete understanding of God’s vision. Having a clearer understanding of God’s vision makes it easier to share the vision with others. In addition, sharing our Godly vision with others allows us to build a network for support and accountability as we wait for it to happen, no matter how long it takes.
Since it is a new year, many of us are thinking about developing a vision for the next year of our lives. Unlike a New Year’s resolution which often has to be repeated every year because the changes aren’t sustained, my New Year’s Vision states what I believe in faith God will do that will permanently change my life. Over the years, what I’ve learned is that God will often give a vision so incredibly transformative that only He can make it happen. And when it happens, you’ll KNOW that it was God!
Shewanda Riley is a Dallas, Texas-based author of “Love Hangover: Moving from Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends” and “Writing to the Beat of God’s Heart: A Book of Prayers for Writers.” Email her at preservedbypurpose@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @shewanda.