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GRABBING HOLD OF TOMORROW

Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish.
(Proverbs 29:18, Amp.)

DISABILITIES ARE NOT EASY to live with. They can be a hard blow to any family and the fallout can easily derail us from the vision we once had for our future. And, as time goes by, a family can grow weary, especially if there are financial struggles, strained relationships, little or no personal time, endless therapies, fights with insurance companies, government agencies, schools, and so forth. Vision for the future seems to become lost in the pressures of today. And, the disappointment we have had to deal with might make us reluctant to set new expectations for our future.

But even in the midst of all we are facing, we need to remember that God has a specific and hopeful future for each member of our family, as well as for the family as a whole. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’”(Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). Even though we may have unexpected issues to deal with in life, it does not negate God’s plans for us. In fact, the unexpected issues and difficult circumstances we face can be the very things that shape and hone our vision for the future, as well as help us understand new dimensions of God’s plans for our lives. He sees the whole picture, even that which lies ahead. As we learn to hear and obey His voice every step of the way, we can be assured that we are properly positioned to face anything that lies ahead.

Even though we may not know specifically what the future holds, we can get a general idea of God’s direction in our lives, at least for the next season. Having a vision is important for understanding the direction in which we are heading. In other words, we set a goal based on where we feel God is leading us. If this is not defined in our lives, we have no direction and tend to stayed bogged down in one place. It is like driving a car with no destination in mind. Not only do we not make any real progress, we also stand to lose time and money (by wasting gas and wearing down the vehicle) that could have been used to take us somewhere purposeful. But when we have a destination in mind, we do not run in circles.

Without a godly, biblically-sound vision or goal, we cannot know what our next step should be so that we can grab hold of all God has for us. Proverbs 29:18 in the Amplified Version says, “Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish.” People who do not understand the direction God has planned for their lives, actually begin to decline. As human beings, we are either in a state of growing or diminishing. In order to continue growing, we need to be reaching toward something.

For that we need vision. Gaining vision does not necessarily have to be an overwhelming process. In John P. Kotter’s secular book, Leading Change (Harvard Business School Press), he says, “The word vision connotates something grand or mystical, but the direction that guides successful transformations is often simple and mundane . . . A vision can be mundane and simple, at least partially, because in successful transformations it is only one element in a larger system that also includes strategies, plans and budgets. . .(But) without a good vision, a clever strategy or a logical plan can rarely inspire the kind of action needed to produce major change” (p. 71).

Here are three important principles to understand as we consider our vision for the future:

1. UNDERSTAND YOUR CALLING.

The calling on our lives is directly linked to our vision for the future. If you have never understood the call of God on your life, then you cannot have an understanding of all you should be reaching for. Why did God create you? What is your purpose here on earth? These are basic human questions that God is willing to answer if we will draw apart and hear what He is saying to us. God knew your call before the foundations of the earth. It is not His intention to keep it a secret from you and watch you flounder through life. His purpose for you is success! It is important to remember, however, that the call is from God. He determines it. Therefore, in order to hear Him, you must be ready to let go of preconceived notions and expectations and let Him set your direction.

In our lives, for instance, we would never have thought that ministering to parents of children with autism and other special needs was ever part of His plan for us! And then our own son was diagnosed with autism. Our lives took a radical shift at that point. Our vision for the future, our son’s as well as our own, was shaken. It took a while to regain our footing on this new terrain, which was not easy. But, little by little, we felt God’s hand not only sustaining us, but realigning our vision for the future, and reigniting our passion for Him. As we have yielded to Him throughout this process, we have moved into new dimensions of our calling. It has and will continue to be a lifelong process. We know that we have not entered into the complete fullness of our call at this stage of life, but we know that we are moving toward it in God’s timing.

Although we don’t have all the details, we do have a basic vision for our future based on what we know our calling to be. And even though it does not look like what we thought it would several years ago, certain elements of what our vision used to be still remain intact. Autism in our family did not change God’s overall plan for our lives. It did force us to refine the vision somewhat, and it also brought us into a better understanding of our calling. We are fully submitted to God in all our circumstances and as a result, we can be at rest knowing that we are where God wants us to be, doing what He has wants us to do, and are, therefore, under the His protection and blessing.

2. ENTER INTO COVENANT WITH GOD.

God has a covenant with every believer. His covenant is not just an abstract promise of eternal life, but a personal, real covenant that ties into every one of our lives. Covenant is God’s plan of agreement for His people to obtain His destined blessings. But covenant is a two-way street. In order for us to understand our vision for the future, and to possess everything God has for us, we must choose to enter into the fullness of the covenant God has with us.

Therefore, when God extends His hand to us, we must not hesitate to reach out and take a hold of it. As we begin to establish the communication system with Him through prayer and learning to hear His voice, we learn how to obey Him in light of our covenant with Him. Regardless of our life’s circumstances, our covenant with God remains a sure foundation on which to gain vision for the future.

(If you are reading this, and you have never entered in to a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we invite you to visit our webpage, Keys to Knowing God).

3. KEEP COVENANT.

There are times in our lives when we don’t see our blessings come about because we don’t keep covenant with God. Not keeping covenant with Him will postpone the blessings of God in our lives because we have moved out from under the protection of that covenant where Satan can steal from us. When that happens, we cannot blame God for what we lost. He did not remove His protection—we stepped away from it.

Likewise, not keeping our covenant with others can also be an opening to the enemy in our lives. If you have had any covenant-breaking events in your life, which could include divorce, adultery, broken promises, or not completing what you have started; then take a moment to ask God’s forgiveness for any sin you may have committed in that situation, and ask God to help you come to the place where you can forgive those who broke covenant against you. Then ask the Lord to break the power of any effects of covenant-breaking off of you and your family.

God’s faithfulness can set us back on a course of blessing and protection no matter what we have done or what has been done to us. From that place of redemption and restoration, we can begin rebuilding our vision for the future rather than concentrating on the past.

WRITE THE VISION AND MAKE IT PLAIN

Habakkuk 2:2 admonishes us to write down the vision and make it plain. Many hear God but, in the course of time and with the stresses of life, we can easily lose sight of what He said. The vision may seem clear at first, but can grow foggy as time passes.

It is important, therefore, to keep a journal of your vision as the prophet Habakkuk suggested in the Bible. Write the vision down as plainly as you can. Ask the Lord about supplying all that is necessary. Ask Him about timing issues. Then over time record the flow of decisions you have made, paths you have taken, events that have occurfed, and consequences for choices. In other words, how did you get to this place?

Allow the Lord to hone your vision over time, but keep moving forward and keep making notes. It does not need to be on a daily basis, but one or two entries per month will make help you continue to refine your vision and focus on God's leading. This will help you to determine whether you are walking in overcoming strength or in defeat.

Once you have begun this kind of document you may be surprised when you go back in the days and years ahead and re-read your journal. You are likely to find that the Lord has been moving in your life in ways you did not even recognize until you looked back. He may have even been working miracles you were not able to see in the midst of your daily life. Keeping a written record will not only help you clarify your future, it will also help you see the marvelous testimony of His goodness and leading that you already have!

In days to come as you move deeper into God’s call on your life, your record will tell of an amazing journey of the steps God used to lead you toward victory, and of how He lead you to grab hold of your tomorrow.

With blessings,
Jack and Rebecca Sytsema

©2007, Children of Destiny. All rights reserved.

(This article has been adapted from the book, Possessing Your Inheritance, by Chuck D. Pierce and Rebecca Wagner Sytsema, published by Renew Books, 1999).

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GRABBING HOLD OF TOMORROW
SCRIPTURE GUIDE

Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish.
(Proverbs 29:18, Amp.)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
(Proverbs 23:18, NIV)

Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
(Proverbs 24:14,NIV)

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
(Lamentations 3:25, NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
(Isaiah 30:21, NIV)

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
(Psalm 48:14, NIV)

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
(Proverbs 16:9, NIV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
(Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

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