Choose God’s will of Relentless Joy – The Pursuit of the Right Vision – Part III – Pastor Odim Awa Odim: Saints of God, pursuing the right vision, provides a sense of purpose, discipline and direction, this endeavor maintains in us an unending spring of relentless Joy even in the mist of challenges.
Choose God’s will of Relentless Joy – The Pursuit of the right Vision – Part III
Philippians 4:4; [4] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Saints of God, the greatest discovery of man is to discover God, we discover God by revelation knowledge, which is endowed understanding and awareness by the Holy Spirit, this helps us to deepen our faith and relationship with God. It is expedient for us as believers to come to the knowledge of this light, because in finding it, we are exposed to walking in the path of our call and existence.
Hosea 4:6; [6] My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Child of God, it will be of interest for you to know that Vision begins with knowledge, vision is revelation knowledge, vision is a clear and mental image of the future. Vision is about innovation, vision empowers creativity and development.
Proverbs 29:18; “Where there is no vision people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he”.
Having a clear vision provides direction and discipline, that means vision is a great quality for an effective leadership, there is no impactful leadership without a visionary leader. Child of God, from the descriptions of vision above, I will politely want to bring to your awareness, that the foundation of vision is the word of God, without the word of God, we pursue ambition, which is self opinionated but vision is people centered or oriented.
1 Samuel 3:1(NASB); “Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days, visions were not frequent.
Here are some key characteristics of vision:
1. Vision is Clear and specific:
A well-defined vision supports or promotes a clear direction and focus.
Ephesians 1:18;[18] the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
2. Vision is Holy Spirit Inspired and motivated:
A compelling vision empowers and motivates God’s people to work towards a common goal.Vision is a driving force which propels God’s people to maintain a steady course.
Joshua 1:9; [9]Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
3. Vision is Future-oriented:
A vision looks ahead, with a strong clear anticipation of what can be achieved in the future.
Habakkuk 2:3; [3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
4. Vision is Challenging and aspirational:
A vision often requires commitment and perseverance to achieve, pushing God’s children beyond their current limits.
Isaiah 40:31; [31] But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
2 Corinthians 12:9; [9] And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
5. Vision provides Guidance and direction:
A vision serves as a guiding force, helping us to make decisions and stay committed to the path.
Isaiah 30:21; [21] Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.
6. Vision is corporate, It is Unifying and aligning:
A corporate vision can unite us together to aligning our efforts and goals.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT); “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
Example of a man that pursued the right vision
Apostle Paul’s Original plan
Before seeing the vision of Macedonia, Apostle Paul and his companions had planned to preach in Asia and Bithynia. However, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
Acts 16:6-7; [6] Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. [7] After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
Apostle Paul received Divine Direction
Acts 16:9-10; [9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” [10] Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The vision Apostle Paul received in the night led them to divinely conclude that God had called them to preach the gospel to the Macedonians. The vision of the Macedonian man marked a notable significant turning point in Paul’s missionary journey, Changing his direction to Macedonia and ultimately leading to the establishment of renowned congregations of God’s people in the region.
One of the Person that overcame her challenges and impediment through the pursuit of the right vision.
Helen Keller was actually born a healthy baby and who developed normally until she was 19 months old. Then, she contracted an illness, which is scarlet fever or meningitis, and this illness left her deaf and blind. Despite her disabilities, Keller learned to communicate effectively through tactile sign language with the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan. Keller’s commitment and determination enabled her to read, write, and even graduate from college, and she became a renowned author and advocate for people with disabilities. Helen Keller’s popular quote “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision”.
Principles of Pursuing the right vision
1. Stay away from narrow-minded people, those that bring you down. Keep good company.
Acts 4:23 (KJV); “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.”
2. Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacles might be and you will succeed.
Proverbs 4:25-27; [25] Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. [26] Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. [27] Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
3. Do not depend on your past success, keep your focus on new frontiers to conquer. Leave your past where it belongs, in the past.
Philippians 3:13-14; [13] Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
4. Face your challenges head on knowing that these will make you emerge stronger and better than you were.
We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers are not afraid to rise to greater heights. Achievers are not afraid of challenges, rather they relish them and use them for their own advantage.
Isaiah 40:31; [31] But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
5. Leave your Comfort Zone, if you want to make any meaningful impact, there is No Growth there.
2 Corinthians 5:7; [7] For we walk by faith, not by sight.
6. Always embrace solitude to reflect, revive and refire anytime you sense decline in your capacity to push on.
Mark 1:35; [35] Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
The Benefits of Pursuing the right Vision
1. Vision Provides Divine guidance:
Divine guidance enables us in Seeking God’s direction and wisdom in shaping our vision.
Isaiah 58:11; [11] The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
2. Pursuing the right vision Increases our Faith and trust in the Lord.
Trusting in God’s plan and promises, even when the path ahead is uncertain and challenging.
2 Corinthians 1:9-10; [9] Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, [10] who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,
3. The right vision Fuels our passion for Spiritual growth:
A vision can help God’s children to grow in their faith, deepening their relationship and fellowship with God.
Colossians 1:10; [10] that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Conclusion
Saints of God, pursuing the right vision, provides a sense of purpose, discipline and direction, this endeavor maintains in us an unending spring of relentless Joy even in the mist of challenges, which energizes and empowers God’s children to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to these challenges , overcome or overpower their temporary struggles. Hallelujah!
