The Principle of Vision

Vision is essential for survival. It is spawned by faith, sustained by hope, sparked by imagination, and strengthened by enthusiasm. It is greater than sight, deeper than a dream, broader than an idea. Vision encompasses vast vistas outside the realm of the predictable, the safe, the expected. No wonder we perish without it. ~ C. Swindoll

(Katie) Yesterday, I celebrated my 27th birthday!! For the past two years, at midnight, my husband has prayed me into my birthday. It is quickly becoming my new favorite Racine family tradition. Together, we thank God for the past year of life and pause to listen to God's promises for the upcoming year. Then, I listen as my husband boldly proclaims the promises over me. I write down the promises and in faith, pray them daily. These promises become my vision for the upcoming year, providing clarity and hope for what I am trusting God to do in my life. Proverbs says, that “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.” (Proverbs 29:18 MSG). I believe that hearing God's vision for our life is essential for our survival.

Isaiah 61 is my life verse. A lot of the vision that God has given me for my life comes directly from that verse. Last night at a birthday party, Erin gave me this beautiful charcoal drawing of Hope. The picture portrays hope as light penetrating the darkness. When we pursue God's vision for our life whole-heartedly, we become light to the  world, piercing the darkness. We change the atmosphere around us being bearers of hope to our families, jobs, schools, and churches. 

 Do you have a reason for being, a focused sense of purpose in your life? Or is your life the product of shifting resolutions and the myriad pull of the forces outside of yourself?  I encourage you to take time to pray and ask God about His vision for your life. Sometimes we are afraid to ask because we are afraid of what God might say or of our inability to live it out. We can't live out God's vision for our life in our own strength. That's intentional. It forces us so to co-labor with God, being fully dependent on His strength. Furthermore, asking God for vision is not selfish; His vision for our life is for the purpose of others. May God open up our eyes and give us His vision for our life!


Here's to a Year of FREEDOM and FULLNESS OF JOY