Living Life by Design

You envision a beautiful hike in a nearby forest. So, you get up early on a Saturday morning and head for the mountains. Imagine you find the perfect spot and begin your journey. You’ve walked for quite a while and now you’ve come to a place where the terrain looks quite unfamiliar. You’re not sure which direction to go. You rummage through your backpack for your compass but then you remember leaving it on the kitchen table. So, you’re now in the middle of the woods and don’t know which direction to go. You begin to panic. Now, the decision you make as to where to go will in part be based on fear and panic. This is definitely not the way to enjoy a hike.

Direction, vision and mission are words that are often used somewhat synonymously. Although the words are similar, they each have their own specific meaning. Vision without action (direction) is merely a dream. Action (direction) without vision is a nightmare! But vision combined with action (direction) can change the world.

Vision is a ‘holy discontent’ – a deep dissatisfaction with what is, combined with a clear grasp of what could be. It is a picture – ‘a mental sight’ – of the future that inspires hope.

‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). Rush Limbaugh often said that he lived in, “Realville.” He fully understood and embraced the reality of the moment but tempered that life view with a future that inspired hope. 

Jesus had a very clear vision for his life and he combined that vision with action: ‘he appeared so that he might take away our sins’ (3:5). God had a very clear vision in sending his Son to die for you. He wants to lavish his love on you. His vision for you is that, one day, you will become like Jesus and see Jesus ‘as he is’ (v.2).

Living deeply in Christ should be the primary vision for your life. It is possible to focus on specific things that we (usually rightly) believe God has called us to do, and yet neglect this overarching vision for our lives. God is much more concerned about how you live your life than what you achieve.

Our individual callings are good and important – but our primary vision for life should always be to draw nearer to Jesus.