I’ve entertained countless books on how to “connect with your inner-self, identify your purpose, and write your vision”. I have even taken many “1st steps" by writing down my vision and making it plain. However, in many areas, that “1st step” has been my last step; only to find myself statuesquely suspended in a mid "2nd step” pose. Recently, I asked myself, “does that make me a visionary?”. The answer came to me like this, “does writing down the recipe for homemade peach pie make it so? Can I take just the words, eat them, and it taste just like when mama baked it?” Just imagine, I would be the next big inventor on “Shark Tank”, showcasing my lucrative creation, a pen with a fork conveniently attached… Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Unless I enjoy the taste of ink and paper, I need to take the next step(s). Dreams and visions written in journals, shared in conversation, and/or etched in our thoughts are just recipes. Visionaries are those who recognize the substance of their visions and press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14). They choose to live with intention and purpose; transforming their recipes into something, sustaining, edifying, and tangible.
I was contemplating over the lives of many Visionaries who have blessed this earth with their lives, and I noted a common thread among them all. I believe we are all born with a vision and a purpose. A Visionary is simply someone who connects with their God given vision and chooses to give it life. From my survey, a Visionary encompasses the following:
· Courage. Joshua (Joshua 1:1-7) and David (1 Samuel 17:33-37) are pristine examples of courage being exercised and the vision coming to pass.
· Say “NO” when necessary. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (Daniel 3:8-18) risked their lives when declaring they would NOT worship Nebuchadezzars idol. Their brave “NO” was met by God’s bold “YES” in the fiery furnace, further confirming that no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
· Diligence. Noah (Genesis 6:11-14, 22) was given a vision and brought it to life. His diligence and obedience afforded the survival of humanity during the great flood. What if he had just wrote down the metrics and instructions, but chose not to build the ark?
· Compassion for something beyond yourself. Jesus Christ (Luke 22:42-44) is the epitome of Compassion and Love. Without His compassion for you, he would not have had the wherewithal to endure the cross for our sins.
Are you a Visionary? Read through your journals, listen to your most recent conversations, and take inventory of your thoughts… If your visions are arrested in your journals, conversations, and thoughts, there lies a strong possibility that you’re operating far below your Visionary Potential. Fortunately, as long as you’re breathing, the tools to become a Visionary are still welling within you. You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you (Phil 4:13). Choose to Take Action beyond your "1st step"! The majority of the time, our visions and dreams have a reach far beyond ourselves... Your vision, once developed and exercised, may be the solution to a greater problem or need in the life of another. During moments of self- doubt, fear, or uncertainty, please ask yourself, "do I prefer the taste of paper or peach pie?" The decision is yours…
Proudly eating my Peach Pie,
Tiera Gilder
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