Vision is the ability to see what could be rather than what is.
Most leaders strive to have a clear vision. But where does vision come from? What are the possible sources? Our own heart can produce ideas and dreams, pictures of the future. Other people can give us thoughts and possibilities to contemplate. But if we listen to only ourselves, or to the wrong people, our vision can come from the wrong place and drive us in the wrong direction.
To guard against this danger, our vision source must be God Himself. Specifically, God gives us vision and direction for our life through the Bible:
Oh, how I love Your law!
Psalm 119:97-100
It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
When God through His Word is your counselor, you are wiser than any of the enemies that are out to destroy you: Satan, sin, evil people with wicked intentions. You are wiser! When God’s Word is with you – meaning you have memorized it – you have the greatest counselor the world has ever known! Your vision will be clear and right!
When you are meditating on it – turning in over in your heart and mind all day – God’s Word makes you wiser than the intelligent, smartest people in the room – the people that should be teaching you! You may be the one with the most dynamic vision, if you are the one meditating faithfully on God’s Word.
And last, when you apply it, God’s Word helps you understand more than those who are older than you (the “ancients”). Yes, we are called to respect our elders, but age does not always equate to being right. Test every advice and counsel against Scripture and be assured of clear vision.
Wisdom and understanding – vision – comes from memorizing, meditating on, and applying God’s Word.
Where is your vision originating from?