Vision: Who Has It; Who Needs It

Vision, what a squishy and nebulous little word! Depending on its context, it can mean several things. Take this simple sentence as an example: “Let me tell you about my vision.”

What is the speaker talking about? Is he referring to his eyesight? “Let me tell you about my vision. It is really poor.” Is he talking about his hope-filled aspirations? “Let me tell you about my vision for this company.” Is he talking about a supernatural encounter? “Let me tell you about my vision. While I was in the temple offering sacrifices, I saw a vision of Gabriel.” (See Luke 1:11-22.)

In these three contexts, the word vision is understood in three slightly different ways. But in all three contexts the word communicates a similar and consistent thought. In every instance, someone is “seeing” something. The first is seeing physically. The second is seeing imaginatively. And the third is seeing supernaturally.

Vision is a big buzzword these days. Every church has a vision statement. But what is a good vision really? And who has vision? I would say that anyone who sees has vision. But who has the kind of vision your church needs? That may be the better question.

Is it enough to simply see the people physically—to be around them, to do life with them? Do we need more than just physical sight? Is it enough to simply dream big dreams with our people? Is that vision? To paint a mental picture of a bigger, better, faster, stronger ministry? Can we challenge them to see things from God’s perspective without journeying in the here and now with them?

What does it mean to be a visionary? Sometimes I think we think of the dreamer or charismatic leader as a visionary, but I wonder if that is all the term does or should mean.