The Shape of Vision

10/4/2020

1 Corinthians 1:2 “Called to be saints.”

When God gives me a vision, something to do in His name, how do I respond? I initially feel excited, which often turns to insecurity, and then to fear. I have written before how I prefer to carry something out with others on my team, or at least have the undying support and encouragement of those I admire and trust. If one or both of these things do not occur, I let my insecurity win, lose the opportunity, and the vision clouds to the point that I can’t regain it. Visions always seem to have a finite time to accomplish them, or at least this has been true for me.

So, why do I need the support and encouragement of people when I have the God of the universe guiding me? Why do I need anyone else but God? Why can’t I trust in His power and strength when I feel I cannot rely on my own? It is all, in my view, a lack of focus on my Savior. If I am too focused on achieving what is being asked of me, on the support of others, or on my own abilities or lack thereof, I will be thwarted every time. However, if I lift the vision up to God and ask Him to guide and strengthen me, I cannot possibly fail if it is His will for my life.

Chambers writes, “It is when we are in the valley, where we prove whether we will be the choice ones, that most of us turn back. We are not quite prepared for the blows which must come if we are going to be turned into the shape of the vision.” I love that visual of being so focused and abandoned to God's will that He actually molds me into the shape of the vision. That I become not just someone working for God, but a humble and obedient instrument of the Creator.

Chambers also writes, “There are times when we do not know what God’s purpose is: whether we will let the vision be turned into actual character depends upon us, not upon God.” I can ignore the vision, or ask God to take it from me because I am not able. I can say no even if that only presents itself through inaction. Do I sulk and kick the dirt when God says “do”, or do I take a bold leap of faith and follow wherever He leads? If I had followed every call and vision from God with abandon, what could I have accomplished for Him? What could you?

Note: It was pointed out to me that by writing this blog, I have been following a vision and call that God gave me at the very end of 2019. I will humbly accept that I finally listened, but not without the encouragement of my family and friends. I am, as always, a work in progress. One day I pray that I will not need anyone but God to boldly become the shape of the vision.