Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish; but those who keep the law are blessed.

Whether it is an individual, a group, a preacher, or an organization...why do people perish without vision?

I have seen many churches without vision, where pastors only know how to serve faithfully, but do not know what vision is, which leads to the weakness of the church members' lives, and they are very secularized. They do not respond to God's heart, and do not want to be used by God. They do not know God's heart, do not listen to God's voice, and do not follow the truth. This situation is very common, and this is called desolation.

What is vision? Vision is God's call plus man's response. It is not something that people come up with on their own, nor is it something that they imitate from others. We can be inspired by the examples of others, but it can only become a vision if something becomes God's personal revelation to us. Being born in a Christian family does not mean that he does not need to experience the personalization of faith, from his parents' faith to his own faith. We ourselves must establish a strong connection with God's heart. If it is not from God, it is not our spiritual mission, personal vision, or personal calling. It may be a good ideal and dream, but it is not a calling from heaven!

Without vision, people will be unbridled. A church without vision is like a pile of loose sand. Many churches today are extremely desolate, with believers only being Sunday worshippers, without feeding, equipment, and vision, just like a pool of stagnant water.

What effect can vision bring to the church?

1. Vision makes the timid become fearless

Vision makes people strong in their hearts and strive hard. A small church with less than 30 people actually sent an elderly member who only studied in the third grade of elementary school as a missionary, setting a record in the history of missionary work! The fearless spirit far exceeds any favorable conditions, because of the vision received from God.

2. Vision makes people more fearful and considerate of God's heart

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. So he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.'" (Matthew 9:36-38)

People with vision are closer to God's heart, and their willingness to be used by God grows day by day.

3. Vision makes people serve without fatigue and boredom

There is no pressure to achieve vision, but the pressure is when you cannot achieve it. You will not hate the troubles, difficulties, and problems that vision brings you, but you will want to surpass and break through these troubles. You will not feel pressure to do things related to your vision, fearing this and that, and the most fearful thing is that the vision will be hindered and cannot be achieved.

4. Vision enables people to develop new talents by relying on God

Talent can only be one of the assumptions of vision, but it is not the decisive element of personal calling. Vision will make people grow and develop. As our spiritual life matures and our relationship with God becomes closer, God will elevate and expand our mind and capacity. Having a vision allows us to live in unpredictable possibilities. Jesus' disciples were uneducated people, but after the Lord ascended to heaven, they gradually became leaders, the church continued to develop, and people who saw them were in awe of them. King Solomon did not have amazing talent since he was a child, but when he had a vision of governing the country, he knew that he was not wise enough and asked God for wisdom. Elisha established the school of prophets because of vision. Paul developed the qualities of an apostle because of vision.

5. Vision makes people willing to sacrifice themselves for the love of God and people

Vision is not to support our self-image or to boost our personal value, because vision is not for self-interest, but for the benefit of the people. This is different from personal ideals. Personal ideals make people work hard for their own bright future, but vision comes from God and serves people, so it makes people contribute themselves, be willing to give, and witness and glorify God. So you can't say, I have a vision to live in a big house, I have a vision that all my children will study for a doctorate in the future.

6. Vision helps people understand the meaning of their existence

Life can be boring and meaningless, but vision makes our days in this life carry the color of eternal life, and life on earth shows the color of heaven, so that we can live a fulfilling and wonderful life, and live a new future in the present moment, and our life can be full of direction, plan, and power.

7. Vision makes people unleash their hidden creativity

In order to achieve vision, people will constantly seek ways out and directions, and will not retreat when encountering obstacles. When encountering obstacles, they will work hard to create favorable conditions. Vision is not something that can be put aside; vision will inevitably linger on, slip out of the mouth, and manifest in action. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)

8. Vision makes people keen and seize God's opportunities

In order to achieve vision, we are unwilling to miss every opportunity that passes by. There may not be much confirmation, but we would rather seize the wrong opportunity and suffer losses than miss every arrangement of God. In this way, people will have the courage and guts to accomplish great things for God.

9. Vision allows people to be free from physical weakness

Physical weakness can make God's power manifest; but spiritual weakness will make the vision disappear!

10. Vision can influence others and promote group growth

Vision is not an individual achievement, but requires collective efforts. When people have a vision, they will seek the help of others. Through mutual inspiration and encouragement, the church can develop more maturely and abundantly. Through personal vision, God can raise up the church.

The Effect of Vision