Why is vision important? - Vision - TouchPoints

Nehemiah 2:16-20The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”

Zechariah 8:4-6“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play. “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

Zechariah 8:9“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building.”

Vision helps us get things done. The Temple in Jerusalem still needed to be rebuilt after long years of exile, but the people weren’t motivated to finish it. God gave Zechariah a vision of the city of Jerusalem once again filled with joyful people, and that vision, in turn, motivated the people to complete their task. Nehemiah faced the same challenge when he led the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in record time. When we have a tough task hanging over us, we should ask God to give us a vision for the finished project and a sense of the joy we will have when the job is done.

Romans 15:20-22My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.

Vision motivates and guides. Paul’s vision to preach the gospel in new places caused the good news about Jesus to be spread to far-reaching nations that otherwise wouldn’t have heard it.

Acts 10:11-15He [Peter] saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.”

Vision helps us see things we would never have seen before, giving us a different perspective. In this vision given to Peter, God was revealing something startling from Peter’s point of view. God was setting Peter free of the Jewish dietary laws to prepare him to meet a Gentile (a non-Jewish person) who was very unlike him and yet a strong fellow believer.

1 Chronicles 22:1-5Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the Lord God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!” So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing finished stone for building the Temple of God. David provided large amounts of iron for the nails that would be needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps, and he gave more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided innumerable cedar logs, for the men of Tyre and Sidon had brought vast amounts of cedar to David. David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.

A leader’s bold vision can help the people accomplish great goals. David’s vision for the Temple in Jerusalem was fulfilled later by his son, Solomon, who built a magnificent structure for God’s glory.

Amos 3:3Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?

Nehemiah 2:17-18Now I [Nehemiah] said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.

A clear vision and goals are keys to successful and enthusiastic teamwork.

2 Kings 6:17Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Spiritual vision can encourage us by helping us to see God’s presence and help all around us.

Matthew 6:31-33“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Spiritual vision eliminates worry by helping us to focus on what it really important in God’s Kingdom and by helping us live according to God’s life principles.

Daniel 4:34“After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal.”

Vision helps us see things in their true and proper perspective.

Deuteronomy 11:9“If you obey, you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors and to you, their descendants—a land flowing with milk and honey!”

Vision helps to inspire hope in us.

Matthew 14:29-30So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Hebrews 11:27It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

Having a strong vision of how much Jesus loves us will sustain us in a crisis.

Isaiah 6:10Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.”

To receive God’s blessings, it is necessary to have spiritual vision.