Proverbs 29:18 – “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained…” NASU

Proverbs 29:18 – “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint…” NKJV

Vision or purpose in life is not just important it is vital.  It is vital to a nation, an individual and a church.  Visionless people have no direction and are doomed to experience failure, disappointment, and disillusionment.  I am convinced we are living in the time the Bible calls “The Last Days” and I am equally convinced God is up to something wonderful in our present world.  I say that even in the face of some incredibly bleak conditions but my spirit is leaping as I type that there is something big about to happen.

I am reminded of Ezekiel’s vision or prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37.  It is an incredible prophecy and one that still leaves many wondering as to its full meaning.  Is this speaking of the natural or spiritual or both?  Actually, no matter which interpretation you hold you cannot miss some significant pictures.

• These bones once lived. [They were part of real bodies and real people].
• These bones are now scattered and divided without order or ability to function. [Not just dead but scattered and separated].
• These bones are being sovereignly pulled together by the Holy Spirit and joined (fitted) together. [Each bone in its place.  Refer to Ephesians 2:11-22 and Ephesians 5]
• These bones are returning to a former state or condition.
• As these bones come together and come alive, they have purpose, direction, and significance. [Though many they are ONE there is a compound unity].

Without attempting to be exhaustive or exhausting on the matter, I believe that is exactly what is happening in a very real way in God’s Church today.  The Spirit of God is crossing man-made barriers, divisions, sects, schisms, denominations, and walls and calling to a remnant to hear, heed and follow His voice unhindered by the man-made barriers, dogmas, and doctrines.  That which has been heretofore lifeless, ritualistic and a mere form without power or substance is being transformed into something powerful and dynamic.  God is, I believe, raising up an authoritative organism The Body of Christ and moving us into the arena of spiritual conflict.  These bones are beginning to live again.

Although there is much disagreement doctrinally on many things and even the beginning of the Church in Acts it is virtually impossible not to see it as a powerful force in its world.  It was dynamic and impacted its world powerfully.  It tore down the walls of legalism and extended grace to whosoever will.  It had a powerful impact on its world with its message, ministry and the lives of those who were called Christians.  Even though its message was not embraced by everyone it was:  Feared (Acts 5), Respected (Acts 17:6), Triumphant and demonstrated the Authority Jesus bequeathed to it (Luke 19:10 and Mark 16).

The 1st Century Church had Vision, Revelation, and Understanding.  It had purpose and power.  They could see what to do and knew where to go as the Holy Spirit led them.  They demonstrated vision, direction, and purpose and to some degree that has been lacking too often in the modern church world.

We are told in Matthew 6:33 that we are to “seek first the Kingdom of God…” and to pray for the Kingdom to come.  So what does this have to do with vision?  Everything!  In Matthew 15:14 Jesus spoke of “the blind leading the blind…” and the subsequent failure.  What is the purpose of seeking the kingdom if we do not know what the kingdom is?  How would we know it if we found it if we do not know what it involves?  Therefore, for us to have Vision and have that vision plugged into God’s Purpose for significant and effective development and service We Must See the Big Picture.  We must have a God-given vision.

Time and space prohibit me from continuing so I will pause until next time and until then pray that God begin to birth in you HIS VISION so that you may plug into that which He has for you, where He desires and accomplish His purposes in your life in this generation. 

Until Tomorrow Blessings!