by Sterling Brown
As a leader, I have struggled with this idea: how do I effectively harness and communicate vision in a compelling way? I’ve wrestled to nail it down. Struggled to articulate it. Been discouraged when I don’t think I’ve communicated it well.
Without doubt, vision is important. Every leader worth their salt has had this ability. Bill Gates had a vision to put a computer in every home. Henry Ford had a vision of a car for every family. Michael Jordan had a vision to be the greatest basketball player ever.
All of these are great things. But check out Henry Blackaby’s thoughts on this:
“Proverbs 29:18, although widely used, is also widely misapplied. The popular translation is, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (KJV). A more accurate translation of the Hebrew is: “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint” (NIV). There is a significant difference between revelation and vision. Vision is something people produce; revelation is something people receive. Leaders can dream up a vision, but they cannot discover God’s will. God must reveal it.”
John the Baptist had revelation. It kept him eating bugs and wearing funny clothes just to proclaim to all who would listen that the Savior of the world was coming. The Apostle Paul had a revelation. It kept him up at night. Kept him pushing ahead. Amidst unbelievable difficulties and impossible odds. It drove him to say “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.” 2 Cor. 5:11
We are starting this church, not because of my great vision and ability to communicate. But because of the revelation of Jesus. He is God’s son who came to Earth to give his life as a ransom for sinners. For me. For you. For your friends.
What about you? Are you wandering aimlessly letting life ‘happen’ upon you everyday? Are you driving toward your great vision of what your life can be? Or are you living by a revelation of God’s will for your life and how you can honor & please the one who created you and point others to that Life?
I want to live by the latter. What do you think?
Sterling Brown is the lead pastor of Resolution Church and the author of Sterling Brown Walking in the Light.
