LESSON 3
CAPTURING AND IMPLEMENTING A GOD GIVEN VISION
Hebrews 11:13 “All these people died in faith not having received the tangible fulfilment of the promises, but having seen them by faith”
WHAT IS VISION?
All good leaders are driven by vision because they are not satisfied with maintaining the status quo. What then is vision? Some have attempted to define it below:
v Vision is seeing the future in the present built of the past.
v Vision is seeing the invisible and making it visible
v Vision is an informed bridge from the present to a better future.
For our purpose however, we may consider the following definition by John C. Maxwell:
“A clear mental picture of a better tomorrow given by God which moves a person to believe that it not only could be done but should be done.”
Robert Greenleaf, in his book, THE SERVANT AS A LEADER, says “Foresight is the ‘lead’ that the leader has. Once he loses this lead and events start to force him to act, he is a leader in name only. He is not leading; he is reacting to immediate events and probably will not remain the leader.”
People long for a leader to give them hope- a picture of where they should go. This is only attainable by vision. If you wish the vision to materialize in your pursuit, you have to paint the mental picture inside others so that they can share in its implementation.
From these definitions above, we can identify the ingredients of a divine vision as follows:
1. A clear picture which serves a road map inside the leader.
2. A positive change: it improves present condition by introducing God’s kingdom.
3. A future focus: it furnishes direction for the unseen future.
4. A gift from God: it is divinely inspired not humanly manipulated.
5. A chosen people and time: it is for a select leader and a group for a given time.
THE BIRTH OF A VISION
In many ways, the birth of a vision is much like the birth of a child. As it matures, it goes through the stages listed below:
INTIMACY: A leader must experience intimacy with God in order to conceive a vision. This union provides God the opportunity to speak and reveal what He wants the leader to do. Thus planting the vision seed in the leader
CONCEPTION: As the seed grows in you, it resembles God and you. It centres on God’s priorities and matches your interest and gifts.
GESTATION: This is the longest period. During this time, the leader identifies with the problem, intercedes for the people, and intervenes in the process. The vision changes the leader dramatically at this stage; he’ll never again be satisfied by a man made idea.
LABOUR: This is the most painful stage of the vision. The enemy often comes to steal the vision just before it comes to pass – bringing pain and struggle. The fight intensifies; he wants us to abort the vision by giving up. Do not give up. Labour is a good sign that something good is about to happen.
BIRTH AND DELIVERY: Finally, the vision is born. All that has been occurring inside the leader is ultimately realized. Everyone can now see the fruit of the prayer, planning and work. Often, many come top celebrate with you at this point.
CHALLENGE: What stage are you experiencing now?
MAN-MADE VISION
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GOD-GIVEN VISION
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You create it based on your gift & skills
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You receive it from God
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It’s fulfilment rests on staying ahead of others
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It’s fulfilment rests on the leaders obedience to God
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Other similar organisations are seen as rivals
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Other similar organisations are seen as complimentary
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Its goal is to build your organisation and generate revenue
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Its goal is to serve people, advance God’s rule and honour God
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STEPS TO FULFILLING GOD’S VISION: MATHEW 9:35-10:8
In the above scripture, Christ modelled some steps for us to take today:
· Get active in SERVICE and initiate obedience. Jesus did not wait for ministry opportunities to come to him. He was out talking to the people, entering their lives; actively serving people where they were. God usually shares His vision with those who are obeying what they already know to do.
· Communicate the REVELATION you have already. 95% of God’s will for us is revealed in the bible. When you obey these He will disclose the remaining 5% to you at the appropriate time.
· OBSERVE and understand the reality of human conditions. Jesus was there among the people watching them. He saw the pained expression on their faces and the physical ailments that afflicted them as they came to him for healing. He stopped long enough to observe and understand their condition.
· Allow God to BURDEN you with a specific need. Jesus’ burden was to avert the pitiable condition of mankind. He saw they had a need of a Shepherd, so he filled that need. This is how every need begins –with a burden. You see something wrong. Something that is not being done that should be done. From this, a vision is born. When a heart is stirred by a need that is when God imparts a vision to meet that need.
· Seek a divine diagnosis: what is THE ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED? Having identified the need of the people to be physical, emotional and spiritual healing, he diagnosed the problem to be lack of enough people to bring them the message of hope and healing. i.e. big harvest, because up till now, he was working alone.
· PRAY to determine what action could meet that need. Jesus prayed for more workers which are what he determined would meet the need. Note that he did not pray for money or bigger buildings.
· Choose a team and EMPOWER them for partnership. Just as without a vision the people perish, so also without people, the vision perishes. Jesus was unable to care for the needs of the people on his own. So he formed a team and empowered them to help him.
· TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION towards the fulfilment of the vision. Jesus did not hesitate a bit to choose twelve men, empower them and send them out with instructions on how to carry out the vision. They became his answer to the prayer request for more workers.
WHAT VOICE INSPIRES YOUR VISION?
God uses a variety of voices to communicate with us. Consider how he has communicated with you in the past. What method has he used?
1. THE INNER VOICE: Does your vision come from goals, mission statements or your persona desires? You would not accomplish something you do not believe in.
2. THE ANGRY VOICE: Does your vision come from a dislike of certain injustice or problem? Do you complain about the darkness or you light a match?
3. THE SUCCEFUL VOICE: Do you find vision from people who have already gone through the same situation? Find someone who can be a mentor figure in your life.
4. THE HIGHER VOICE: God gives a truly valuable vision. Look from the past to guide your present and future. Are you a big picture person or do you live life looking through a keyhole?
TOOLS TO CAST YOUR VISION
Once you’ve captured a vision, you must find ways to communicate it to people. The following is Winston Churchill’s effective method:
1. STRONG BEGINNING
2. ONE THEME
3. SIMPLE LANGUAGE
4. PICTURES
5. EMOTIONAL ENDING
NOTICE: see it clearly
Show it creatively
Say it constantly
ASSESMENT AND APPLICATION
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST DIFFICULT STEP AS YOU’VE ATTEMPTED TO IMPLEMENT VISION?
HOW CAN YOU COMMUNICATE YOUR VISION MORE EFFECTIVELY AND BIBLICALLY?
