“What do you want from me?” drowns out the last shred of conversation. An upturned face lashes out at the heavens, an exasperated soul slams the door shut, tears flood down a parched face, arms clenched to a wrenching chest - we’re broken.
In that moment of “no more options, alternatives or safety nets", we are finally open to what God wants “for us” not from us.
When we can no longer be our own answer, physician or repairman - He becomes our only provider, sustainer and resurrection. He is the only one Who can breathe life into dead or dying things.
His desire is that we finally see that He can be our only answer through His Son Jesus.
Lately, Flatirons has been walking us through His vision for our lives - and there is a lot to walk through. Talk has been about having a vision statement for our lives.
"Our plans are in sand, but our goals are in concrete."
When we identify what we want, the road map may change but the destination never does. That’s how the world sees it. I’ve been down that road too many times. Focusing on my own plans has cost me.
As I taught leadership in public school over a decade, this was a common unit. Even as staff, teams, or as employees, developing SMART goals was standard if not mandatory and essential. SMART being: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic/Relevant, and Time Bound. All self-centered.
But what was working counter to that were verses like these:
"For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight In love” Ephesians 1:4
13 For it was You who created my inward parts,
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well.
15 My bones were not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in Your book and planned
before a single one of them began. Psalm 139
His “plans” have been set from eternity and He sees it all at once - too much for us to grasp. He is a God Who is in control, but not a controlling God - we have free choice - but His will... will be done. Yet, we make our plans and reconfigure them over and over (It’s a flesh thing).
But goals and vision are different - aligning our purpose with HIs purpose gives us freedom - it has us speaking our Eternal Biblical Identity truths to ourselves to combat the lies and the past we’ve been forgiven for and from which we have been released, delivered, "transferred from the dominion of darkness."
Vision statements can get complicated; but this is what I learned about them and taught through leadership classes. I held on to the Biblical truth - counter to "deconstructionists" and "progressive christianity gurus," truth never changes.
Vision statements should be immediate, concise, understandable, easily identifiable and substantial. There’s a sense of calling and action attached to them. They should be able to fit above your pocket on your shirt.
If our family “officially” identified our statement it would have been this:" Be The Light!"
Matthew 5:14
Straight from Jesus’ words - it was clear at any moment, in any situation and every thought set for the day or taken captive in battle that the mindset was in line with HIs Spiritual calling.
As you consider your vision statement, dig into Biblical truth. Consider God’s call. Seek out a verse or verses that speak a strong foundation:
“No Fear” 2 Timothy 1:7
“Be Strong and Courageous” Joshua 1:6, 7, 9 & 18
“Rest in His promises” Hebrews 4
“Strive” Philippians 3:13-14
“Stand Firm” 1 Peter 2
Comments