10/06/2024
Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision from God, the people run wild, but those who adhere to God’s instruction know genuine happiness.
As we pursue a journey of characteristics, or virtues, that are gifts from God love, expressions of how God moves through us, today I want to explore the profound theme of vision or spiritual insight. Vision is not just about seeing with our physical eyes but perceiving with our hearts and spirits. It is about understanding God’s purpose for our lives and aligning ourselves with His divine plans for us.
Our opening Bible verse explains why vision is so important: Without it, we run wild and lack restraint. Some translations say that without vision, we perish, we decay, we are made naked, vulnerable and unsafe. Vision is essential for direction and purpose. It is through our spiritual vision that we understand God’s will and navigate our lives accordingly. Vision gives us hope and a sense of destiny.
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “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.” God’s vision for us is one of hope and a prosperous future. Even when we face challenges, we can trust that God is working all things for our good. It is through our inner vision that we recognize God’s plan, feel His security, experience God’s hope, and perceive the path to our future. Our vision strengthens our trust and faith in God.
It is through our vision that we see the laws of God written on our hearts. We do not read them with the eyes of our body, but with the eyes of our heart. We feel them, know them, and intuit them. Ephesians 1:18 tells us, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” That the eyes of our heart are enlightened, light-filled, opened, made to see with clarity and understanding. Spiritual insight allows us to see beyond the physical and understand the deeper truths of God’s word. It helps us to discern His voice and follow His guidance.
The power of spiritual vision lies in its ability to transform our lives by aligning us with God’s purpose and providing us with divine guidance. It is our Spiritual vision that helps us see beyond our immediate circumstances and understand God’s broader plan for our lives. It provides clarity and direction, guiding us on the right path.
Not all things happening in our lives or on earth are clear. We do not understand and the best we can do is do the best we can. There is an ancient proverb that states, He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool - shun him. He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple - teach him. He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep - wake him. He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise - follow him. Spiritual vision allows us to see clearly and know that we know.
There was a miracle that Christ performed in Mark 8:22-26. We are told that some people brought a blind man to Jesus. Jesus spit on the man’s eyes and laid his hands on him and asked, “Do you see anything?” The man said that he could see men, but they looked like trees walking.
Christ was trying to make a point. We can have eyes but still not see. Without the Christ vision and love expressing through us, we know some stuff, but there is no clarity; we do not know what we do not know. Cloudy spiritual vision affects all of us to some degree. Many of us still see through a glass darkly and blink through a fog. Then Christ laid his hands on the man’s eyes a second time, and total clarity was restored.
We have been told that God’s vision for us, His plans for us, are good and perfect, providing peace, abundance, hope, and posterity. Knowing that God has a vision for our lives gives us hope and encouragement, especially during challenging times. It reassures us that there is a purpose behind our struggles and that God is taking all the things we have messed up and making them work to our advantage.
When we open the eyes of our heart and use our gift of vision, we are given a sense of purpose and motivation. It drives us to pursue our goals with passion and dedication, knowing that we are fulfilling God’s will. We grow spiritually and become more attuned to His voice, more obedient to His commands, and more aligned with His character.
By developing our own spiritual insight, we have a great impact on others – Christ can use us more efficiently. A person with spiritual vision can inspire and lead others. By living out God’s vision, we become a testimony of His power and love, encouraging others to seek and follow His guidance.
We don’t need special skills; God uses what we have. As we seek greater clarity in our lives, and try to express Christ more greatly, a couple of common questions arise “What is God’s plan for me? How do I fulfill God’s will and be a vessel for His purpose?
The answer is different for each of us. God will use us, guide us, and teach us individually. The decisions or solutions we are considering will strike us as consistent with doing what is right; God’s plans will attune to our uniquely individual spiritual gifts, our heart, our abilities, our personality, and our experiences. This will usually occur as a feeling; over-thinking can lead to dismissing a challenge because we consider ourselves unqualified.
If we are not aware, our fears can stop us from God’s will and block our vision. We might be thinking, “God, I don’t have the ability to do this.” God will answer, “Beloved, you can’t see that ability in yourself yet, but it is there. That is why I am presenting this to you, so that you can see more clearly.”
Our fears may bubble up as, “God, I am not outgoing enough to do what You are asking. I don’t have the right personality.” And God will answer, “My Child, I am not looking for someone outgoing or restrained; I am looking for you and your unique gifts.”
Our fears, doubts, and thoughts of lack can keep us spiritually ‘asleep’; they can muddy our vision on an issue and prevent us from serving God effectively. We are much more capable than we give ourselves credit for; we just get in our own way. Spiritual vision empowers us to live a life that is purposeful, hopeful, and aligned with God’s will. It transforms our perspective, strengthens our faith, and enables us to make a positive impact on the world around us.
Like all virtues, it already exists within us, and we can strengthen it if we choose. It is all about the basics. First, let’s spend time in prayer, meditation, and contemplation. As we seek God’s guidance let us ask God to reveal His vision for our life. We must be open and attentive to His voice.
We can study the Bible and reflect on the verses that speak about vision and God’s plans and promises. Daniel 9:23 teaches, “So consider the word and understand the vision. God is filling our hearts and minds with images, thoughts, and guidance. Are we considering these things, thinking on these things, and understanding how they influence our thinking and actions?
Cultivating spiritual vision is a dynamic and ongoing process. It requires a heart that is open to God’s guidance, a mind that is focused on His word, and a spirit that is sensitive to His promptings. Are we holding a vision of goodness and creating the life we want to live. As we reflect on the direction of our life, do we consider the things we would like to experience? Do we picture the results we want? We can look to the future and think about how we will feel when these blessings come to fruition. We can take these thoughts and feelings into prayer and envision the goodness we desire.
It is my prayer that we hold a vision of peace, light, and love. I pray that that our inspired visions see beyond any appearance of chaos or limitation to the beauty and perfection that is inherent in all creation. Let us look past any seeming challenge to the completion of our inspiration. Fully connected to the creative power within, let us hold a vision of overflowing goodness. We know that with God, all things are possible, and we are open to our good. It is my prayer that we hold to a vision of life rich with joy, love, and peace.
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