VISION FOR THE HARVEST And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9) It is glorious when God opens our eyes and grants us a glimpse into the spiritual realms of eternity. Having recognized God’s appeal in this vision, Paul’s ministry took a drastic turn as he changed course and went to the Macedonians. A vision turns us toward the purposes of God, and for some, this heavenly touch will activate us into reaching the nations. Without a vision, the people perish. Vision is defined as the ability to see into the realm of the Spirit and thus be awakened as to what God has implanted in you for your life and ministry. Without a vision gripping our lives, it is unlikely that we, as creatures of habit, will change course. Without a vision, selfish individuals do not become givers. Without a vision, comfort will not be exchanged for risk, difficulty, and obstacles. When we hear God’s appeal for laborers to go into His vineyards, our lives are changed to live sacrificially so that His vision can be fulfilled. Not many days after Paul’s vision, he was physically assaulted and imprisoned for casting a demon spirit out of a young woman. Despite being held captive in what was probably a deep dark dungeon with the stench of human waste and with rats gnawing away at his flesh, Paul found great solace in the knowledge that he had been faithful to the heavenly vision. Being certain of the commission he had received from the Lord, he considered this trial a light affliction, knowing that it was all within the scope of God’s plan. What was it that gave Paul such great confidence to press on in the midst of such dire circumstances? It was vision! The last words spoken by Jesus to His disciples concerned His commission for them to go into all the world with the gospel. When people are about to die, their last words are chosen very carefully. Knowing that He was about to leave the earth, Jesus entrusted His deepest wishes to His friends to carry out. He commanded them to go and tell others, and has never retracted this mandate. All Christians will agree that the Great Commission should be their priority, but how many physically or even prayerfully do anything about this holy order? Although all Christians give mental assent to this commission, without vision they will never accept personal responsibility to carry it out. Vision can come through a dream. Some have received what is called an “open vision.” God allowed them to see clearly into the spirit realm, as if they were watching a movie. Others have received vision within their heart, like an inner picture, leaving an indelible mark on their lives. It is ever present, ever consuming, directing every step into the epicenter of the fulfillment of that vision. They are unable to work, eat, sleep, or lead a “normal” life until the vision burning within them is fulfilled. “I have a dream!” declared Martin Luther King. His dream laid the groundwork for the dismantling of racial prejudice in America. Henceforth all men, regardless of race or color, would be treated equally. A man hated by an intolerant system became a world-changer. Martin Luther King was consumed with his cause, worked hard, and ultimately gave his life for his dream. But in doing so, one man’s vision changed an entire nation. Vision without corresponding action will cause frustration, and destiny will be denied. One man said that he would rather die doing the will of God than live outside of His plan. When Helen Keller was asked What is worse than being blind?” her reply was so profound that you can hear the voice of the Spirit in it: “To have sight but no vision.” Do you have a dream? Do you have sight but no vision? I don’t know what your answer is, but I do know that there is a “Macedonian call” coming to the hearts of those who are God-hungry. It is the cry of the neglected, the abused, the sick, and the broken. The refugee cries, “Come over and help us!” What was once a whisper in a dream at night is now a shout in the day! Nations are calling for the help of the Church. Will you hear and respond? We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God. (John Stott, b. 1921, British pastor and evangelical leader) --Dr Leon van Rooyen Capture
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 17:02:15 +0000
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