Every Christian should have a vision of what God has for them to do in their life. It is very satisfying to have a goal that you know is important. And when you accomplish that goal, you can look at your accomplishment in peace.
However, in churches around the country people are working religiously on projects, many times never accomplishing anything. Frustrated and tired, they drop out of the church or they continue to work and just burn out. Even ministers are leaving the ministry at an alarming rate. Why are they burning out? It’s usually because they are working without a vision.
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I am convinced that many, toiling away at duties in the church, have no vision of where they are or where they are going. After all, if you don’t know where you are going, you won’t know you’re there and you will continue to strive to get someplace.
A Vision Requires Two Things
Getting a vision of what God wants you to do and accomplishing that vision requires two things. First, you must seek God and find out what it is He has for you and second, you must do it. Do what God has told you to do. Not what He has told someone else to do, but do what He has told you to do. You are responsible to God primarily for one person—you. You are responsible for one vision—yours.
Habakkuk chapter 2, verse 2 says, “And the Lord answered me, and said, ‘Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.'”
Seek God and get a vision. Then write it down. If you’re a Christian without a vision, you are in danger of perishing. If you’re a Christian leader without a vision, it not only can be disastrous for you, but for all that follow you. If you don’t know what your vision is, they won’t know where to follow.
Write your vision down. Make it plain. Make it clear. Then when you read it, you can run. Follow your God-given vision, but don’t be a fanatic. Remember a fanatic is a guy who, after he loses sight of his goal, doubles his efforts so he can get nowhere faster.
If you’re frustrated, you may not be as far off track as you think. Seek God concerning your vision. Sometimes all it takes is a minor adjustment in your thinking to get back on track.
Saul looked at Goliath and thought, “He’s too big to hit.”
David looked at Goliath and thought, “He’s too big to miss.”
Now, sometimes people will condemn you for having a vision. But usually it’s because they want to control you. Just because they feel more comfortable in the boat doesn’t mean you shouldn’t walk on the water.
Don’t let up. Stay focused on where God wants you and forge ahead. Only when you are heading toward the mark will there be rest and peace.
God will take you as far as your vision. The Hebrews had vision to get out of Egypt. But they had no vision after that. God took them as far as their vision would take them and they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.
We could look at the good side: their shoes didn’t wear out. But they died in the wilderness. Did he want them to die? NO! Did he want them to wander in the wilderness? NO! But they did because they had no vision to go into the Promised Land.
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of eight books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.