The Importance of Vision

Vision and hope are crucial to a fulfilling life. The apostle Peter wrote these words to folks on fire for Christ; who stood a good chance of being lit up as lanterns at one of Nero’s parties, “ For he who lacks these qualities (diligence, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness and brotherly kindness) has become blind or short sighted….”

The big picture for me as a follower of Christ is to not lose hope or vision for Heaven; that place where I will be transformed from this mortal body to a body and mind incorruptible, where worship and life are pure and undefiled. On a slightly smaller scale, to look here to Jesus to be my satisfaction. Which means what? It means that when I go to work I focus on how my actions and attitudes can bless others-even at five in the morning. It means that on days when I feel really lonely and all my being is screaming out for deep companionship that I don’t try to numb it with pornography or other things, but I cry out to Jesus and acknowledge the reality of my aloneness.

Conversely, I do believe that there are short term goals that we can (and must) set for ourselves that add richness, texture and perspective to our lives. The last few years I have been flying up to Portland every year to ride in Seattle to Portland. Having this goal on the calendar accomplishes a number of things for me. It causes me to get out on a regular basis and ride my bike to train for the event. It provides me with the mental assurance that there is something good coming (similarly, this is why Peter writes to the saints to, “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”), in this instance a week of time with a good friend, some good exercise, and whatever other wonders Portland has to offer. Finally, when the fulfillment of the trip comes, it is provides a period of rest and renewal before I begin another cycle of day-to-day living.

Much in the same way that Peter wrote to “remind you of these things, even though you already know them” and, “to stir you up by way of reminder,” so I write to remind us to set some tangible goals for the upcoming year so that we can avoid getting bogged down in the normal, hum-drum, shallowness that our daily lives can become if we fail to live without a larger vision.