“For the vision…will surely come.” Hab 2:3
Taken from The Word For You Today – December 30, 2009
Comments by Rev. Susie Owens
Fulfilling your life’s vision depends on: (a) Having a vision – which calls for waiting on God until He reveals His plan for you. (b) Dedicating time and energy to it – which calls for patience and discipline. (c) Knowing how to overcome obstacles – which calls for good management. The Bible says; “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Pr 29:18). Remember South Pacific’s lyrics, “If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?” A vision gives you direction, creativity and resilience. Without one you become passive, aimless and vulnerable to quitting. God can give you a vision instantly but its fulfillment will require learning, practicing, and managing life’s daily challenges. For the next few days let’s look at some vision-fulfilling principles:
Visions come with opportunities – and obstacles! After decades in America, immigrant Raymond Dawson inherited his English grandparents’ estate. Returning home, he found a run-down farmhouse and barns on land covered with rocks. Disappointed and about to return to America, he decided to walk his worthless inheritance one final time. Pausing on a remote corner, he noticed a stream coming from beneath some rocks. He investigated, uncovered some hot springs, and guess what? Today he’s owner of a lucrative report, right on the site of his former disappointment! When you ask God for a vision you’re likely to be placed in a field of opportunities concealed under acres of obstacles. Then He will stand back and watch how you engage in the ministry of obstacles. Then He will stand back and watch how you engage in the ministry of obstacle management!
My afterthoughts: Time management is an issue for all of us…we all say we don’t have any time left. We all manage to do things that we want, in spite of time restrictions. We hear it when people speak. And if you want to get people to talk openly with enthusiasm. Just talk about something they are passionate about. If we could only exercise that when it comes to God. He wants us to do things of enjoyment, He is a loving Father. But He wants to be first, and then we can do other things. I just prayed about that very thing this morning. Finding balance between Him and myself! I so want to please Him. Without us His plan cannot be fulfilled. What if Jesus had to take care of His Facebook, text, online chatter or running errands first…it is in the timing. Of course He put God first which also put us first! Praise His name, for being obedient to the Father. Now, before we all get really condemned let’s remember He is the Savior and that is what He was called to do. We on the other hand are called to bring people to the Lord and do His ministry of reconciliation but the Father still comes first. When we stay orderly our time goes better and we feel more free to move about in other directions. His work is never finished and it is a constant work. He wants us to have free down time. But at whose expense? Staying grounded in Him and in the Word gives us a day that we can get so many more things accomplished and still have time for ourselves. We are free, and not under condemnation that is of the enemy. But we all still have time issues that keep us from the order of things. Obviously I do I just prayed about it. So I encourage you to pray and meditate on this, every day is new beginnings as we ask the Lord for forgiveness and direction. But this time of year we have The New Year on our minds. Usher it in with the Lord and re-dedicate yourself and time to Him and He will show you how to do much more and be way more effective…and peace with it all.
**********************
THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY devotional books are available (quarterly)
from Shekinah Fellowship Church.
For more information, please call 405-799-8888.
