Truth Matters From Pastor Dean Brdlik, July 6th 2023
When it comes to our service for the Lord God, “vision” becomes a key factor. From our human perspective, Webster identifies three components to “vision:” 1) It starts with an idea or thought that grows into a desire of how God will use us…”suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires” (Webster). 2) Then we begin to realize the significance of what our vision is for the kingdom’s sake…”stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined (Webster). 3) Then we begin to work toward that “vision”...”suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design (Webster). These are all human components, that is, these are what we experience from the human side.
When it comes to “vision,” God has the most essential role. As He revealed to His prophet Habakkuk, our “vision” (whatever that might be…it will be uniquely individual) will take place under God’s sovereign vision for us: “For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3 amp)
The point My Utmost for His Highest makes today is whatever the “vision” is that God give us, we must not become impatient or unbelieving as to how our vision is being developed or used…nor we must be discouraged in God’s process of fulfilling that vision:
“We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.
God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience. Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.
The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it.”
The kind of “vision” we are talking about here is not the kind of “vision” you might hear from Tony Robbins or some other “success” motivator. Rather, it is a vision that has its roots in one’s deepening relationship with Jesus Christ. Out of that relationship with Christ comes our vision. We are to pursue it with the confidence that God has not only given it to us, but that He will bring it to pass in His way and time. My prayer for you and me today is this: Lord, keep us steadfast to the vision You have given us. We know that the vision You give us is vitally important for the development and growth of Your kingdom. We ask for patience and perseverance in the process. To God be the glory. Amen.
Walk with the King today and be a blessing.
