Vision and Goals

Having vision means anticipating that which may come to be. A successful entrepreneur, for example, has vision to understand how to meet the needs of his customers before creating a plan to do so, and a business or organization sets vision that its parts (e.g., employees, divisions, etc.) focus on in their goal setting.

Goal-setting experts recommend creating a vision statement in writing to give a basic description of what an organization or person wants to become or accomplish. This statement then drives long-term goals, which are accomplished through short-term goals.

Brex, an American financial service and technology company, lists several examples of vision statements of well-known companies:

  • Disney: “To make people happy.”
  • Google: “To provide access to the world’s information in one click.”
  • LinkedIn: “Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.”
  • Microsoft: “To help people throughout the world realize their full potential.”

Christians need vision, too. Instead of creating it ourselves, though, God gives us vision through his spoken word.

A Christian’s Vision

God clearly communications his vision to us through the Bible. We discover that vision through Godly teachers and by regular Bible study and devotions.

Forming our lives around God’s vision instead of our own is essential if we want to live for him. In fact, the Bible tells us that revelation of God’s word provides the structure we need for unity, order, and self-discipline.

“Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and his word], the people are unrestrained [have no self-control]; but happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].” (Proverbs 29:18, AMP)

God clearly communicates his vision for being healthy and fruitful. We need only to regularly read, hear, accept, and live it.

Letting God and his word be the vision for our lives means we allow God to use us for his purposes. It’s about letting God’s word form the basis of our faith and direct our lives.

“Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers). But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity]. (Psalm 1:1-3, AMP)