Where there is no vision, the people perish. Prov.29:18 (KJV)

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters

will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  (Acts 2:17)

Vision is central to the life of a believer. Proverbs tells us that people perish where no vision exists. Other versions translate that scripture to say, “Where there is no vision, the people throw off restraint.” The idea is that without a driving vision in the heart of a people they lose direction, have no sense of purpose, and often drift away from their faith which may lead to death.

In his sermon in the temple courtyard on Pentecost, Peter quoted Joel and applied his prophecy to the launch of the New Testament Church, which had just been commissioned to make disciples of all nations. He said that one manifestation of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit would be dreams and visions. Not only does the church need a vision for world evangelism but individual churches and individual believers need a vision for their part in the Great Commission as well.

Individual believers who do not have a vision for how God will use them in significant ways typically drift through their Christian life without making much of an impact for the kingdom. Typically, moral living, regular attendance, and occasionally giving to good causes define their mission in the Kingdom of God. Those are not bad things but God has much more in mind for every believer. According to Psalm 139 and Ephesians 2:10, God has a hand in the creation, giftings, and destiny of every believer.

I believe it is impossible for God to ordain an ordinary destiny for any one of his children. Being average or ordinary is not in God’s nature. It is not in his nature to plan average or ordinary events. Therefore, I believe he has destined every child of God to be highly significant “impact players” in the Kingdom. Because many of us have no vision for our lives beyond the ordinary, we live without passion and simply slide into a mediocrity of living that we hope is barely acceptable to the Father. The danger is that we may eventually drift away and live without restraint because we have no compelling vision that we will not risk by giving into temptation or risk by becoming careless in our spiritual lives.

I have had seasons of my Christian life driven by a clear vision of what God was calling me to do and I have had seasons where the vision was blurred or vague. When the vision is clear I am much more intentional, much more energized, much more focused, and much more committed to maintaining alignment with the Father than at other times. Vision makes life matter and makes life fun. The vision I’m talking about is not a vision for getting ahead in the world or finding your perfect match on E-Harmony. I’m talking about a vision of how God is going to use you to change lives and heroically push back the borders of darkness. It is a vision of walking in some set of powerful spiritual gifts that make the demons tremble and make heaven shout.

How do you get such a vision? First of all, hang around others who have a vision for their own life. You can’t adopt their vision for your life because you have a distinct destiny. However, being around believers whose lives are fueled by a vision will make you hungry for the same kind of thing in your life. Secondly, ask God to begin to stir your dreams and give you a vision for your life. That was the promise Peter quoted on Pentecost and that promise was for every believer. Third, get busy discovering your spiritual gifts because God has already equipped you for the destiny he planned. Those gifts may still be in seed form but ask other believers what gifts they see in you, take spiritual gifts assessments, and involve yourself in various ministries until you demonstrate some spiritual capacity or feel a flame of passion flare up in a moment when you are serving. Pursue a hunger you find in your heart for certain spiritual gifts and press in to receive or develop those. Begin to daydream about what you would love to do for the Lord that is far beyond the ordinary and ask God to take you there.

Vision is critical. If you don’t have one get one or return to a vision you let fade away some time in your past. It will reignite your spiritual life and give you a focus that will make you an impact player for the King of Kings. Be blessed!