Give Me Vision

New year, new goals, new vision! My Bible study buddies and I are planning a vision board-making afternoon complete with the Millennial charcuterie boards. I’ve never made a vision board before, though I do go through the motions of creating goals/resolutions for myself each new year—which, like many, may not end up achieved. Sometimes it’s due to poor planning and not taking action steps; other times—and most likely for me—life happens and I get distracted or thrown off course.

Doing a quick internet search of why vision boards “work” resulted in reasons that seem to circle the idea of vision boards being a “visual reminder of your intentions…as the brain assigns a higher value to visual imagery than to other types of stimuli.” Mind you, these weren’t referencing any studies, but as I have always thought of myself as a visual learner, this makes sense to me! There are many ways to make a vision board, but we’ve chosen a collage system.

In the lead up to our little crafting time, I have been thinking about what my vision would be. Like always, I get stuck. Sometimes, I am afraid to ask God to reveal his plans for me. After all, if I ask for that, will I be ready to obey in faith and step out? How do I know that it is Him?? How often do I have plans that fall through? Honestly, I can only fall back on Proverbs 16:9, “A person may plan his own journey, but the Lord directs his steps,” so many times before getting frustrated. One of my fears is that this board will end up being a visual reminder of how I’m NOT hitting my goals!

Of course, I am praying about having God-given vision for the year, but I’m also praying for vision that involves having faith to step out and try to run after desires that I believe God has placed on my heart. In Habakkuk 2, God tells the prophet to

Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. (Habakkuk 2:2-3, NLT)

Yes, I am probably taking this verse out of context, but I love that even God uses a visual, tangible tablet to carry His vision throughout the land. In this case His vision is one of justice. These verses serve as a reminder that in our fallen world, God’s vision is one of justice at the appointed time. So here I am praying for vision from God, to make a vision board, to remind myself that things of God will be fulfilled—that “if it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”