“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

Vision: A revelation, thought, idea; communication from beyond brain chemistry, from beyond personal or collective unconsciousness; otherworldly, supernatural inspiration from God.

Vision gives us hope and an incentive to live!  We cannot last long without hope or something that inspires us, drives us on, and gives us a reason to get out of bed.  Hope does not disappoint!

Some people suffer from the “after-Christmas blues,” but for the Christian, nothing good ever ends.  We live in the presence of the Lord and in His presence there is fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11)

Mountain climbers who tackled Mount Everest would fall into two categories: those who could clearly see the top of the mountain and those who could not.  On a foggy or cloudy day, most climbers only made it half way and quickly lost heart.  On a clear day, however, most made it to the top, as they were able to see their glorious destination!  Christ in you, the hope of glory!   Paul exhorts us in Philippians 3, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (verses 13-14). Someone said that a Christian should live his life as if Jesus died yesterday, rose from the grave today, and is coming back tomorrow!  What a way to live!

In Pilgrims Progress, as Christian and Hopeful were nearing the end of their journey, they saw some frightful sights that made them very fearful, even though they knew they were nearing the end.  The Shepherds gave them some perspective glasses and told them to get a glimpse of the celestial city.  Their hands were trembling, and they could not get a good look.  Finally, they spotted something. Indeed, it was the glorious view of the celestial city!  Soon they took heart and had great hope.  What changed? They had new vision.   They saw a glimpse of the glorious, heavenly city!

Peter was able to walk on water when his sight, his vision, was fixed upon Jesus instead of the waves.  With our eyes firmly fixed upon Him, we too would see that He is all we need.  Fresh hope comes from such clear vision!

“Have I not commanded you to be strong and of good courage?  Be not dismayed, neither be afraid. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. He will see you to the end” (Joshua 1:9).

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art
High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'n's Sun
Heart of my own heart, whate'er befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

We Would See Jesus,

Karen