Vision and Timing
Ever since my college admission interviews in 1977, from time to time people have asked me what my "five year plan" or "ten year plan" was. Sometimes I've come up with an answer, but I've never been much of a long-range planner. In fact, sometimes a five hour plan is more than I can manage. The truth is, most of the time my long-range plans feel more like long-range guesses. However, every now and then I get what feels like an inkling, or a hint, or a dream, or (Dare I say it?) a vision of what could be. Sometimes this vision is so compelling to me that I assume it will be so for whomever I share it with. I write songs, and sometimes I'm tempted to say, "God gave me this vision…" like some song writers introduce songs by saying, "God gave me this song…" Having a rather high view of the Words (and words) of God, I think if I share the vision that I believe God gave me, then everyone will say, "Sign me up! How can I help make this obviously God-given vision into a reality?"
The Hebrew Scriptures (also known as the Old Testament) contain a wonderful story about a remarkable visionary leader named Nehemiah. In his time (the 5th Century B.C.), the grandeur of the kingdom of Israel was gone, and the walls of the Holy City (Jerusalem) had fallen down, along with the morals and faith practice of the Hebrew people. God gave Nehemiah a vision of reformed morality and faith and a rebuilt wall for The Holy City of Jerusalem. He also gave him the passion needed to inspire, instruct, and supervise the many people necessary to do the job. Finally and very importantly, God gave Nehemiah patience. Essentially, God showed Nehemiah a vision of what could and would be and of Nehemiah's part in rebuilding the walls and restoring the morality (and the morale) of the Hebrew people, and then said, "But don't do anything yet. This is not the right time. I'll let you know when the time is right. Until then, be patient, and trust me. I'm in the now and in the not yet, and you're only in the now. Trust me!"
A while back I shared a vision with a group of people. Because I felt (and still feel) that this vision is from God, my mind's eye (or was it my pride's eye?) already saw the awe-inspiring experiences we were about to share, and I began to think of myself as the person through whom God would bring about the realization of this wonderful vision. Well, the group did not adopt or affirm my vision. Maybe one day, but not this day. Maybe somewhere, not here. Maybe someone, not us. Not me. Not now.
So, what about the vision? Did I miss it? Not necessarily. In fact, maybe no one missed anything. If the vision (which I can still see) is truly from God, and if God intends it to come to fruition in the place and with the people in the vision, and if I'm to be a part of that vision, there's one more variable: time.
When I'm passionate about a compelling vision, I want to jump on it now! But it could be dangerous and would definitely be wrong for me to try to force the adoption of "my" vision now, and it could be a serious mistake to give up on the whole thing just because what I thought would happen didn't happen -- yet. To serve people as a leader requires vision, but that's not all. It also helps to be a bit of a comedian. It's all in the……
TIMING!
The Hebrew Scriptures (also known as the Old Testament) contain a wonderful story about a remarkable visionary leader named Nehemiah. In his time (the 5th Century B.C.), the grandeur of the kingdom of Israel was gone, and the walls of the Holy City (Jerusalem) had fallen down, along with the morals and faith practice of the Hebrew people. God gave Nehemiah a vision of reformed morality and faith and a rebuilt wall for The Holy City of Jerusalem. He also gave him the passion needed to inspire, instruct, and supervise the many people necessary to do the job. Finally and very importantly, God gave Nehemiah patience. Essentially, God showed Nehemiah a vision of what could and would be and of Nehemiah's part in rebuilding the walls and restoring the morality (and the morale) of the Hebrew people, and then said, "But don't do anything yet. This is not the right time. I'll let you know when the time is right. Until then, be patient, and trust me. I'm in the now and in the not yet, and you're only in the now. Trust me!"
A while back I shared a vision with a group of people. Because I felt (and still feel) that this vision is from God, my mind's eye (or was it my pride's eye?) already saw the awe-inspiring experiences we were about to share, and I began to think of myself as the person through whom God would bring about the realization of this wonderful vision. Well, the group did not adopt or affirm my vision. Maybe one day, but not this day. Maybe somewhere, not here. Maybe someone, not us. Not me. Not now.
So, what about the vision? Did I miss it? Not necessarily. In fact, maybe no one missed anything. If the vision (which I can still see) is truly from God, and if God intends it to come to fruition in the place and with the people in the vision, and if I'm to be a part of that vision, there's one more variable: time.
When I'm passionate about a compelling vision, I want to jump on it now! But it could be dangerous and would definitely be wrong for me to try to force the adoption of "my" vision now, and it could be a serious mistake to give up on the whole thing just because what I thought would happen didn't happen -- yet. To serve people as a leader requires vision, but that's not all. It also helps to be a bit of a comedian. It's all in the……
TIMING!