SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #104 ---- 1/10/00
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #104 ---- 1/10/00
TITLE: "Vision ---- Defining It" (Part One in Series)
My Dear Partner and Friend:
I greet you in the joy of the Lord, and with absolute confidence that
this week God is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we [may]
ask or think." I pray that you will be continually awed by His power,
increasingly grateful for His faithfulness, and inexplicably amazed over
His calling on your life. You are indeed special; He is indeed
stupendous.
A SPECIAL SERIES:
My intent in last week's letter was to write on the subject of "Vision".
That changed, of course, as I wrote to you about "A New Day For A New
Era" based on some thoughts from chapter three in Joshua.
In thinking of all the things I'd like to say at the beginning of the
year 2000, nothing seemed more appropriate than the subject of Vision,
for probably nothing is more crucial to the future of the Church and the
world than for the Church to know, understand, embrace, and live in a
true vision which has come from the heart of God.
Even though delaying that task a week, I still in some ways approach the
subject with a sense of apprehension ---- because so much has already
been written by great writers such as George Barna, Frank Tillapaugh,
Dale Galloway, and others ---- because it has been written about so often
that it has become a commonplace subject taken with a grain of salt ----
and because, after more than 45 years in ministry, I still don't think
I've got a real handle on it.
Notwithstanding, I believe God has put it in my heart to try to bring you
encouragement in your ministry by sharing some of what I have learned.
I have learned the difference between a vision man gives and one born in
the heart of God. I have learned how easy it is to let a vision die. I
have learned the agony of sensing a vision clawed from my hands and
stripped from my heart. I have learned the heart ache of leaving before
the vision was realized, only to have it fulfilled under another man's
ministry.
I'm convinced that one reason many of us have either missed, lost, or
never had a true vision is because we settled for something less or
something else ---- maybe because we didn't know we could actually have
such lofty and idealistic things if we really turned loose and let our
spirits soar.
As we begin this little series, I'd like to ask you a question that, if
you answer it honestly, could change your life and your ministry. It
changed mine back in 1979 when I was first confronted with it.
If you could do anything in the world in serving God, money was no
object, and you knew you couldn't fail, what would you do?
It was in my own struggle with that question that I began to gain some
degree of understanding about true vision and how it pertained to me and
the work to which I had been divinely called.
So ---- if you'll indulge me, I'll take the next several letters to share
my heart about some of the hard lessons God has taught me through the
learning process. Some of it you will have already understood. However,
I am praying that there will be at least one thing that will encourage
your heart along the way, as we consider . . . .
The Definition of Vision ---- what it is and isn't.
The Description of Vision ---- what it is like.
The Demand for Vision ---- why it is necessary.
The Development of Vision ----required "ground rules" for a true vision.
The Decisiveness of Vision ---- a line-in-the-sand "no turning back"
requirement.
The Danger of Vision ---- dangerous to have; dangerous to not have.
The Distractions from Vision ---- things that interfere with your focus
on your vision.
The Destruction of Vision ---- things that will kill a vision.
The Death of Vision ---- the necessity of letting it die.
The Demonstration of Vision ---- what happens when you're "right on" with
your vision.
The Discovery of Vision ---- how to "see what God sees".
The Determination for a Vision ---- pursuing it until it comes.
(I know, I know! ---- my own epitaph will probably be alliterative!)
I believe one of the most significant scriptures in the Bible relating to
that subject is Isaiah 6:1-13. Here we have a situation where a man of
God living in a perverse and degenerate world, and with a heart erupting
with a million emotions as a result of his own world coming apart around
him, still has such an encounter with himself, his God, and his world,
that he discovers a vision which fuels his ministry for the duration of
his life.
There seem to be three major themes in the story:
+ 1) The Conditions Leading to His Vision
+ 2) The Crisis of Discovering His Vision
+ 3) the Consequences of Embracing His Vision
The Conditions Leading To His Vision are quite simple. He was 1) part
of a nation having lost its moorings because it had left its God, he was
2) A man having lost a friend (Uziah), he was 3) a prophet having lost
his reputation, and he was 4) caught up in a religious system that was
being practiced without power.
Sounds a lot like our day, doesn't it.
The Crisis of His Discovering His Vision came when he 1) was Confronted
with His God, then 2) Convicted over His own sin, and finally 3) Cleansed
by God's mercy.
The Consequences of Embracing His Vision were extraordinary. He 1) Heard
the Voice of God, he 2) Felt the Heart of God, and then 3) He answered
the Call of God ---- a call that was Direct, Difficult, and required
Duration.
As you can imagine, this passage is pregnant with profound truths which,
perhaps someday, I can share in more detail. However, for the moment, I
believe Isaiah's experience contains the elements necessary for you and
me to have a healthy and balanced vision of ministry that will keep us
focused and faithful ---- two things many in ministry desperately need.
DEFINING A VISION:
As I look back over my ministry, I am saddened at the number of times I
misunderstood what a vision was, and, therefore, settled for something
else. I suppose such mistakes come with immaturity and ignorance, and
can be learned only through experience.
It would be nice if we could have it all together early in life.
However, as Miss Bertha Smith, great missionary to China years ago said,
"God still strikes some very straight licks with some awfully crooked
sticks". Praise God for that!
The word "Vision" appears numerous times in the Bible, and seems to have
two primary elements ---- "visions", where something is seen in the mind
through a supernatural act of God that results in an imagery as real as
or more real than what would be seen with the physical eye, ---- and
"vision", where something is seen more in the spirit and accompanied by
conviction, even though not as "visual" in its imagery. "Visions" seem
to be more for the occasion, whereas "Vision" seems to be more for a
sense of purpose and direction.
So, just what is The Definition of a Vision?
To answer that, it seems we first need to know what it isn't before we
can understand what it is. And, in trying to answer what it Isn't, the
phrase that comes to my mind is "It's More Than . . ."
You see, my friend, Vision is More than Hope, . . . More than Dreams, .
. . More than Goals, . . . More than personal agenda, . . . More than
Mechanisms, . . . More than Academic Definitions, . . . More than
theological idealism. A vision from God cannot be lowered to such
earthly and human things. It is so much more.
Hope is, with little or no confidence, anxiously wanting something to be
true ---- it's usually an exercise in Futility. A Dream is desiring life
and its activities from man's point of view to become reality ---- it's
almost a Fantasy. A Goal is a pre-determined target to which you have
set your attention and for which you make a plan to reach. An Agenda is
a designed strategy to carry out which will take you to your intended
conclusion.
And, a real vision is certainly more than an academic definition or a
theological ideal beyond our grasp.
So ---- what is my definition of a Vision?
To answer that, I go to two words ---- "Dazon" and "Chazah". The first
simply means "Revelation", and the second means "See" or "Behold".
Combined, they simply state, "See ---- Revelation!" Or "Behold!
Revelation!" It is the typical Hebrew way of quickly cutting to the
chase, and making it plain and simple ---- "Look! Revelation!" It's
their way of saying, "Hey! Wake up! See what God sees!"
And that, my friend, is my understanding of what having a vision of
ministry is all about. It is coming to a place in your life where you
See What God Sees.
How else can you know the truth?
How else can you know the real conditions?
How else can you see the real needs?
How else can you be adequately motivated to cause you to take action and
then maintain it long enough to see results?
Friend, if you don't see what God sees, you'll never stick with it.
That's why our church calendars are packed with events and our church
organizations top heavy in programs and structures. Because we aren't
clearly seeing what God sees, we have to come up with something to 1)
justify our own existence and our ministry, and 2) keep our people
motivated.
You want to see a difference in your own heart? Learn to see what God
sees.
Want to see a change in your church life? See what God sees, and then
tell the people about it.
It's no wonder visions fade and disappear. It's no wonder they dry up
and blow away. It's no wonder they flounder and bog down. Too often we
haven't had a true vision to begin with. We've settled for something
else or something less ---- and something else will always end up being
something less, because God's vision for you and your ministry is
absolutely the loftiest thing that could ever invade your heart.
And, nothing else will satisfy you.
FINALLY:
You may be struggling with the idea that you can "see what God sees".
Perhaps the idea seems sacrilegious. Maybe you feel the idea is too
archaic. Perchance you feel too unworthy.
Isaiah saw ---- and a wicked nation heard the Gospel.
David saw ---- and a temple was built.
Nehemiah saw ---- and a city was restored.
Noah saw ---- and the human remnant was saved.
Peter saw ---- and Macedonia received the Gospel.
Moses saw ---- and a nation was delivered.
Adoniram Judson saw ---- and the modern missionary movement was begun.
Moody saw ---- and a boy who heard the Gospel preached it to another
little boy who was saved and became an evangelist ---- and Billy Graham's
ministry touched millions.
If they saw, . . . . . . why not you?
Dear friend! If you are struggling with staying motivated, if you are
battling discouragement over the lack of response from your people, if
you're weary of trying to convince your church leaders to get on the band
wagon, ---- then back off!
Back off ---- and take some time with God. Ask Him ---- "Lord, show me
what You see!"
That's what happened to Isaiah. God took the circumstances around him
and the conditions he faced and created a Crisis that brought him into
the presence of God.
And when he saw God as He was, and what a terrifying and numbing
experience that must have been, he then saw himself as he was. When that
happened and he saw his own horrid sin and his own absurd ineptness, God
had him precisely where He wanted him ---- and He brought cleansing, . .
. . and Vision!
You see, when Isaiah finally saw himself as He was, and received God's
cleansing and healing touch from off the alter, he was then ready to hear
the voice of God, and he was then able to see what God was seeing.
And, it broke his heart ---- and then drove him to action.
Dear friend ---- until you and I see what God sees, nothing, absolutely
nothing will be adequate to get us moving or keep us going.
Take a look at those last verses. Would you and I have still said "here
am I, send me" if we knew what Isaiah knew about the hardships of our
ministries and the rejection of our message?
Only a genuine Vision is adequate for that.
Do you have a vision? A fresh vision? A genuine vision?
If you do, embrace it and go with it, no matter where it takes you or how
long it takes.
If you don't ---- get with God.
That's where you'll find it.
I love you, my friend. My delight would be to know that you have indeed
a vision that is so clear and so compelling that nothing deters you from
maintaining your focus on it and your commitment to it. Only being so
obsessed with such a vision will carry you through what is ahead.
Oh, dear servant of the Lord, ---- may you, for the rest of your life,
see what God sees!
In His Bond of Mercy and Grace,
Bob
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright January, 2000.
All rights reserved.
We would love to hear from you ---- prayer requests, insights, etc. Feel
free to drop us a note at <[email protected]>.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know. Write <[email protected]>.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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