Habakkuk 2:2 says, “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it.” To expound on this verse in Hebrew, it says, “..inscribe the mental sight, dream, revelation, etc. and engrave it upon tablets (carve it in stone); that he may run who proclaims it, cries it out, reads it aloud, speaks it.” From this verse, I would like to point out three things about vision (and the goals that accomplish it): 1. Write the vision. 2. Speak the vision. 3. Run with the vision.
Do you have a vision? Do have goals? Do you live with purpose? Is there a driving force in your life that gets you out of bed with a sense of purpose, or even excitement? There should be - and there can be. We were created for a purpose, a destiny. We were created to achieve, to accomplish, and to be creative. We were created in the image of God.
What is vision? It is defined as, “The act or power of imagination; the vivid picture created by the imagination”. What are goals? Goals are defined as, “The mark set as the limit to a race; aim or purpose”. So we see vision is the mental image of where or what we want to be; and goals are the aim and purpose to accomplish our vision. For example, we may have a vision of crossing the finish line of our first marathon, and goals are the exercise, diet, & running plans we implement to achieve our vision.
Perhaps you have a vision of having a close relationship with Jesus; or being debt free; or having a happy marriage; or reading through the Bible in a year; or being a better parent; or starting a business; or losing weight; or learning an instrument or foreign language. Whatever your vision is, this verse in Habakkuk 2 will help you fulfill it.
First and foremost, we must write our vision down. We must put it on paper, and tape it up where we can see it daily. We must write down the goals to accomplish our vision. We must, “Carve it in stone”, so to speak. Dt 11:18-21 are “key to success” verses. God knew how important it was for His people to constantly keep His Word in front of them. So, we need to constantly keep our vision and goals in front of us. Of course, we must first write the vision on our hearts (Prov 3:1-3, 7:1-3). Our hearts must desire the thing to be accomplished. Then, when it is written on our hearts, we can then write it on paper and tape it up where we can see it everyday.
The second important step is to speak the vision and goals. Death and life are in the power of our tongue. Words are a creative force, which can be used for us or against us. Do you say what you have, or what you want? Do you speak the vision, or the circumstances? Do you command your mountains to move, or gripe and give up because they are in your way? God calls things that are not, as though they are. We need to be in agreement with what God wants to do in our life. Who cares what anybody else thinks? You just obey God. What He thinks is what really matters.
There will always be nay Sayers saying, “Nay, nay, nay!”. What do they do? Nothing, except tell you what you can’t do. Forget about them. Do it anyway. Don’t get into agreement with the devil’s lies. Speak your vision. Speak success and victory. If you stumble or get derailed for a time, don’t quit altogether. Get back on track and keep going.
The third, and perhaps most important step, is to run with the vision. Writing it down and speaking it regularly is very important, but if you never actually DO it - well, you’re not going to succeed. We must be doers of the work (Jam 1:25)! You may see yourself finishing a marathon; you may speak everyday “I am a runner”; However, if you never actually RUN, it isn’t going to happen! Without action, you’re just dreaming.
Run your race. Be self disciplined. Rearrange your schedule. Purpose to do whatever you have to do to accomplish your goals. Life is not a dress rehearsal. This is your chance. Life is a gift. Our time is short. Don’t make excuses. All of us can make excuses, and then not do anything. That’s the easy road, and most people take it. Dare to be different. Think of what you could accomplish by this time next year, if only you will put these steps into practice! Time is an equal gift to us all. We all have 24 hours in a day. What will you do with yours?
“What if I don’t succeed?”, you may ask. What if you do? Failure is a part of trying. They say if you never try, you never fail. Well, you also never accomplish anything. Who wants to be the best at doing nothing? I would much rather try and fail, then not try and succeed. Do your best and forget the rest.
I encourage you to live 2014 with purpose! Sit down this week and put your goals on paper. It doesn’t matter how big or small. Just work to accomplish something meaningful. Don’t waste your God-given gift of life. You are full of potential and possibilities. I pray this has encouraged and challenged you, and until next time, rejoice in the Lord!
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