Write the Vision
Habakkuk 2:2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it”. (NKJV).
Can you and I express succinctly what our life is about? Could we say in a few words what it is the Lord has us on this earth for? Do we know what our vision is? All big questions.
This verse has been a huge inspiration for me in recent years. I want to inspire you in this Brief Word to write. I’m not saying you need to become a writer par sae, but, I think we all could benefit from knowing in a few words what our life’s mission is. Could we write it down?
Some are called to write and record lots of words that inspire others. Some of you reading this will be in that category. Therefore — WRITE! Just write!
The Prophet Habakkuk was told to write. John too when he saw the vision of the New Jerusalem was told to write. (See Revelation 21:5). He must write it to imprint it upon his own mind and make it more clear to himself, but especially that it might be transmitted to those in other places and future generations.
This is what I find helpful about writing. Writing helps me imprint the vision in my own mind. And preserves it accurately for others.
But we’re all different. Some people speak thousands and thousands of words and somewhere in there are the few they want to say! (And the few we understand — we’ve all met those types!). As Flannery O’Connor said;
“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.”
I like that. I like to write to find out what I want to say.
The Prophet Habakkuk was told to; “…Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets…” It must be easily read, legible, plain, so that; “…he may run who reads it…” How many of us have floundered in life, or lost our way following a leader, because the vision was not clear?
Peter Druker, a great business leader, consultant and writer in his lifetime, (and mentor to prominent Pastors), once said;
“A vision statement should fit on the back of a T shirt.”
I like that. And have lived by it. Our vision should be a few short words that encapsulates the purpose God has for our life, for our calling, or our leadership role.
In journalism, they talk of the ice berg analogy. An article in say a newspaper has a headline that grabs our attention, and describes in a few words what it is about. The first sentence under that then expands with more detail but also in that one sentence describes the event. Editors know that some people will just read the headline, a few more will read the first sentence, and more will delve right into the article itself.
A vision statement is like that. Of course there’s more to it, of course we have so much we want to say about it, there’s a lot more “under the water line” — after all it’s our passion! I have seen over the years some amazing and long winded wordy vision statements! It’s an article in itself! Certainly would not fit on the back of a T shirt. And at first reading it leaves me confused about what they’re about.
But there’s another huge reason for knowing and writing our personal vision clearly, plainly, and short. The Prophet Habakkuk was told to “…Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets…” with a very specific purpose. So that; “…he may run who reads it…” Any vision statement, is not just for ourselves! It’s not just about us. It’s for others. It is so that others may be inspired, encouraged, motivated, find the love of God and helped to live better lives.
You can spend thousands of dollars on personal development to discover your life’s purpose. All well and good. But it’s only as good as it is focused on others. We only become a better person as we become better for others.
Our vision statement, the words on the back of the T shirt of our life, is that, “…he may run who reads it…”
But notice how our text for this Brief Word starts? “…Then the Lord answered me and said…” The Prophet Habakkuk’s vision came from God. It wasn’t a good idea, it was a God idea. There’s nothing like a vision birthed from the heart of God. A plan and a purpose that we know that we know is what the Lord has spoken to us about. Something that — although tested — has proven true and fruitful. Then we can devote time and energy to it, we can focus, and narrow or life’s impetus into that area, because, as people “read the vision of our life”, they will be able to run and not faint.
Perhaps we’re not sure we could put on a T shirt our personal vision statement. Maybe some special time in prayer and fasting, time spent chatting to wise leaders or counsellors, or some study of God’s Word would bring more clarity.
It’s not the end of the world if we can’t, but, just make a start! Just write! Write something. Write what you know now about what the Lord wants for your life. It doesn’t have to be an essay. Just a few words. Then put them up visible somewhere. In a prominent place where you’ll see them every day. Then God’s call, His will, His purpose, and His vision for your life will become clearer, and then, more and more people will be able to run the race with endurance and not faint! That will bring great Glory and honour to the Lord!
Write the vision!
