The Bible says it plainly, in Proverbs 29:18: "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." The original word for vision in this passage is chazown (sounds like khaw-zone), which means a vision in ecstatic state. But I am using the word vision as defined in many dictionaries: "the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom."
What is our vision for the future of God's church here in the Pacific Union? More important, what is God's vision? Vision exists as a dream, a hope or a desired end. Jeremiah records God's dream this way: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).
God has a vision for His people and His church. It includes peace and not evil. His vision is presented in the teachings of Jesus Christ—a future that is full and bright, not on worldly terms, but on God's terms.
He plants a dream, a desire or a vision within us that invites us to yield to His presence. The goals God's vision generates can only be achieved as His Spirit enables us. Zechariah 4:6 states, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
And while remaining true to the vision that God gives, He enables us to reach the goals He has set. But it must be His vision and His dream.
Author Andy Stanley in his book Visioneering (Multnomah Publishers, 1999, Page 9) says, "A God-ordained vision will begin as a concern."
What are our shared concerns that God has laid on our collective heart?
As I travel through the Pacific Union, I find some churches that are thriving, with spirit-filled preaching and out-reach activities that are designed to reach people with the "everlasting gospel" of the three angels' message. I see baptisms where people have accepted that message and I see groups of people going on "mission trips", taking the message to foreign lands and building houses of worship for our sisters and brothers who can't afford to build them for themselves.
I also have seen churches that seem to have no direction, churches where there hasn't been a baptism in long stretches of time; churches apparently without vision, that seem to be just going through the motions. If they ever had a vision, it was lost long ago. (Of course, baptisms aren't the only measurement of thriving churches—retention of new members and discipleship are important, too).
How do we reclaim lost vision? I believe that vision is generated in the "prayer closet." In private prayer as we surrender to God with regularity, and carefully study His Word, we will find or re-claim the vision that God has given us. As we read the "red books" we can find God's vision for His church spelled out.
Not only will we be reminded of God's vision for humanity, "a future and a hope" or eternal life, God has also given us the methodology for sharing the promise of God in the example of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Our heavenly Father wants people to hear and understand truth, and then make up their own minds about Jesus. I believe it is our task to clearly present the truth to all who will listen.
Jesus still cares about people. I believe that he wants us to care about others so much that we will share the gospel in the context of the three angel's message. But God's vision for His church is not only to tell or proclaim the truth, we are to live out the glory of God before them.
"The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them" (Christ's Object Lessons, Page 415).
I want God's vision for me and for His last day church to be a reality, right here in the Pacific Union. How about you?
