Have you ever had a vision for what could be? Have you ever felt as if God was giving you a picture of a better future for your Marriage? Your Career? Your kids? If so, then you know the enthusiasm that comes from a renewed sense of purpose and passion. It is exhilirating. Unfortunately it is usually temporary.
Every great vision is followed by opposition. The moment you begin to step up to what God is calling you to do somebody is waiting to knock you down. It’s true. There are vision vandals out there that want nothing more than to keep you from achieving God’s best in your life. The Bible says that there is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy…and he’s good at it. You may face opposition from someone in the community or another church or you may face opposition from those close to you, your friends and family. Opposition may come internally with doubts and thoughts that you aren’t good enough.
Opposition happens! We would be wise to learn from the Old Testament Character, Nehemiah. He received an incredible vision to rebuild and restore the wall around Jerusalem. No sooner than he casts his vision talk to the people his vision is quickly attacked. His opponents “jeered and despised” their plan.
The true test is not what you do with your vision, but rather what do you do when your vision is attacked?
Nehemiah 2:30 says, “Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”
In the face of opposition Nehemiah returns to the initial vision that God gave him, he rose up, and he started to build. When your vision is challenged will you rise up and build or shrink back and postpone?
Vision Vandals! I love it.
Thanks Paul. I think Ed Young Jr. is the mastermind behind the “vision vandals” saying. I can’t take credit for it!
The primary vision vandal is our great enemy, the Devil. Of course he is a good recruiter of others who will his emissaries and we have to recognize them as only pawns of his mission to steal, kill and destroy and deal with them accordingly and gracefully. And then there is the most effective recruit that he seeks to enable him to destroy our vision….we ourselves. His best weapons and tools in this is fear and doubt. Only the Giver of the vision is able to sustain it.
thanks Pastor Jeff….needed that reminder!!