Waiting for God’s Vision

“I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what He will say to me and what I should reply to my complaint. The Lord answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.” (Habakkuk 2:1–3, HCSB)

Vision is important. It is important for physical eyes to see what’s going on. It is just as important for spiritual eyes. One definition of vision, which I heard from a fellow pastor and evangelistBob Tolliver is this:

Biblical vision is to see what God sees. 

I think that is a very proper definition of biblical vision. Many times, people (including business leaders) and even churches use secular definitions of vision and get results. However, it seems to me that if you want to see something better for your life, your family, and your church, you need to ask God what He sees.

But we impatient with God when it comes to vision. I know that I do. As a pastor, I am expected to have the vision for the church – a direction to lead the church in the way that God has called me. Sometimes, the anticipation by the people is so much that it feels like they want that vision now. If it looks like I am waiting too long for that vision that God should have for me, then perhaps the church will miss the ball and not catch what God is doing.

It is as if the church expects the pastor to have a vision for them on Day One. Many times, however, that is not the case. I have learned that God brings me new ideas to share with the church. However, a vision – a long-term direction for the church – that takes time. Vision cannot be “made” overnight.

God expects me to wait for His vision. Just like Habakkuk, I have to watch and see what God has for me (whether that vision is for me, my family, my business, my church.)

Waiting on God and watching for what He sees is necessary for biblical vision to take place.

What do I do while I am waiting on God to see what He sees for me, my church, my family, my business? I spend time in prayer and meditation. I focus on Him and what He shares with me every day. As I continue to do this, in time, God shares the vision, and later, after times of waiting and praying, He shows how to implement that vision.

God never gets ahead of His own vision. 

Biblical vision is about the future. God is never late when He shares what He sees with me.  The time of waiting is more for my benefit than it is for God’s benefit. Running ahead and trying to implement God’s vision too early can be dangerous. The reason is that God has to take time preparing me to handle the vision He is going to reveal to me. Biblical vision is never too early and it is never too late.

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash