Scripture Reading: “Where there is no vision, the people perish….”
(Proverbs 29:18)
If you want to obtain victory over your life, you have to create a vision. Not only in one area, but in your career, relationships, health and your spiritual walk with God. In the Bible, God says you have the ability to overcome all things (Romans 8:37). Not just some things, but all! Most importantly, you have to understand that your life requires balance to reach your true God given potential (Proverbs 11:1) and the fulfillment of God’s purpose for your life.
There are countless scriptures that encourage us to have a vision for our lives. It reminds us to write our vision down and it shall come to pass (Habakkuk 2:2) and to declare and decree a thing and it will be established (Job 22:28).
Grasping this concept early on in life, even before I had a committed relationship with God, I began to write my vision for my life. I can recall outlining three specific goals and applying the Word of God to each. I asked the Lord to bless me with my certified public accountant (CPA) license, obtain a job as a criminal investigator with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and help me obtain my Master’s degree and God blessed my vision.
Now that I have a committed walk with Christ, I now check with Him first to make certain my will is aligned with His will. And the great thing is I know I am on the right path! My new vision is blessed because it is aligned with His will and plan for my life!
So, if you are in a place wondering how to create a vision for your life, here is a method I used that has been proven to be very powerful and purposeful.
What Do You Love to Do?
During the last few years, I found myself moving at my own speed and not God’s. Because of this, my schedule was always busy and while I was making progress, I wasn’t doing what God had purposed for my life. I automatically assumed since I was a CPA my purpose was to start a CPA firm and make tons of money. And while making money is never a bad thing, the worst thing you can do here on earth is not operate in the space God has designed for you.
Think about it. God has designed a plan tailored to fit for your life. Because of this, there is no other plan that will work for you. Your tailored plan will bring forth fruit. In addition, all who witness it will know without a shadow of doubt you are operating in His plan and purpose. The great thing is you do not have to be afraid because God has already traveled before you to make all crooked places straight, supplied all of your needs and placed every resource required in your path to carryout His plan.
Take Inventory
You have to check in with God first. Ask Him what is His plan and purpose for your life. God has already put desires in your heart to carry out your purpose and His plan. As I began to pray about my purpose and read The Purpose Driven Life, it became clear to me a change was required.
I began to take inventory. I wrote every single thing I did on a daily basis on “Post It” notes. From serving on several accounting and business boards, running a small business, writing and teaching, spending time with family and friends, and other tasks. Then, I separated these daily tasks into two distinct groups:
- WHAT I LOVE TO DO
- WHAT I SIMPLY DO NOT ENJOY
I began to make a firm commitment to only do what I love to do and move away from things that I did not enjoy. And today, my life is finally in a place that I enjoy everything I do!
Don’t Waste Your Time
After identifying my purpose, which I finally realized was educating and writing, I made a firm decision from that point forward I would only operate in my purpose. Now let me warn you, this choice came with opposition and also a cut in pay, but I wholeheartedly trusted in God’s will. Because of this decision, I have never been without, acquired more than before and received numerous recognitions, which lets me know I am operating in His plan.
As I made a decision to resign from several boards and commitments I simply did not enjoy, many people did not understand my decision. Keep in mind, as you make a transition, fulfill commitments to the end or seek other people who may be a better fit for positions you may currently hold. Do not simply resign without taking the needs of the organization into consideration. However, as you move forward, make a firm commitment to do only things you love and those that align with God’s purpose for your life. This way God can use you as He sees fit.
After making these changes in my life, even my family didn’t understand how I walked away from a promising CPA business. Honestly, I didn’t either. But I continued to trust Him as He moved me to a new direction. It was then my family began to realize my transition was no mistake at all. It is now evident it is a gift from God.
From that point of making the decision to follow God’s plan and His vision for my life, many new opportunities came my way and others began to witness blessings in my life that could only be orchestrated by God!
Create His Vision for You
Now being equipped with my purpose, loves and passion, I began to create three small vision boards. The first board titled “MY VISION” outlined my various passions for my life. I listed every passion and purpose God had given to me. I also included the scripture verse, Habukkuk 2:2 “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”
Next, I created the second board titled “I WANT TO” outlining three areas – I want to be, I want to have and I want to create. Each section identified what I wanted in the next few years, specifically outlining what I wanted to create in the future and finally what I desired to have. My “wants,” which aligned with God’s desires for me, included the scripture Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Finally, I created “MY ACTION” board. This board is probably the most important. It outlined what steps were needed to reach my vision for my life. Remember, you can have huge faith, but faith without works (and actions) is dead on arrival! Whatever you envision for your life, begin to make a plan of action to reach your goals. Bringing a vision to pass is one of the best feelings one can bear. Ecclesiastes 7:8 states, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
Keep in mind to continue to pray about your plan consistently. Surrender it to the will of God’s authority and stand on the scripture Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps!” And no matter your vision big or small, know with God all things are possible! I am a living witness!
Don’t Look in Others’ Lanes
Lastly, as you begin to write your vision and understand what God has purposed for you, it is important to stay in your lane! So often we look at others and try to imitate their successes, desire after their possessions (Exodus 20:17), but this only draws us away from the original plan and purpose God has designed for our lives. There is no other person that can do you like you! You have a special, unique gift that the world wants and more importantly needs (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). God has designed each and everyone us with special gifts and talents to help fulfill His purpose
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Daily Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You today worshipping You in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). We thank You for revealing to us our spiritual gifts to further Your kingdom. In Your Word, it tells us that You are our light, therefore we do not have to abide in darkness (John 12:46). Show us what we need to know. In Jeremiah 33:3, You promise to show us great and mighty things that we do not know. Please Heavenly Father, make our paths and purposes clear to us. Father God, as we go about planning our visions and purposes, we ask that You establish our steps (Proverbs 16:9). We surrender to Your plan because we understand that You know all things and all things work together for our good (Romans 8: 27). We seek You first each and everyday and know all things will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33). More importantly, as we go about our day, we declare we are anxious for nothing but continue to bring our prayers and visions to You first (Philippians 4:6). And lastly, we simply trust in You with all of our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, knowing that You are directing our paths. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we pray (John 14:14). Amen.
Reflection: Have you created a vision for your life? Do not travel on “autopilot.” Be intentional and live according to His purpose. Taking time to write where you are going will help you bring your vision to pass. More importantly, stay committed and consistently pray over your plan for your life daily.
