Vision: Seeing What Can Be Through God's Eyes

A vision is a God-given mental picture of 'what can be' – a goal that beckons, inspires change and sustains us under pressure. This page considers what vision is, how God has given it to His people throughout Scripture, and how to cultivate, test and protect the vision He places in your heart.

What Is Vision?

A vision is received while a person is awake, whereas a God-inspired dream is similar yet received while asleep. These are two of the ways God can use to speak to us (Job 33:14-17; Amos 7:1,4,7, 8:1, 9:1). When "the eyes of your heart are enlightened" through such a perception, it gives focus, sets the agenda and provides motivation to keep going when under pressure and feeling discouraged (Eph 1:18-19).

The vision belongs to God; the Spirit brings it to pass – our part is simply to trust and obey

God speaks and gives direction, yet blessing and fulfilment only come when there is appropriate action; however, we must not rely on human effort but the Spirit of God (Zech 4:6). "Where there is no revelation [vision], people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction" (Prov 29:18). Without divine communication, people live without restraint, which ultimately leads to death, because to ignore God's way is to ignore the way of life (Rom 6:23). Yet we are blessed by obeying His instructions to us (Ps 19:11). When we fail to read God's Word and live it out, we become people "without vision", so it is essential to have a true understanding of what He requires of us, that we may walk in His ways.

A God-given vision is conceived by faith, sustained by prayer and fuelled by God's Word. People will often become the 'vision' that is repeatedly placed in front of them, just as Jacob's spotted rods placed before the animals at conception produced multitudes of spotted sheep and goats (Gen 31:10). We can therefore speak pronouncements of faith over our own lives, aligning what we see with what God has said.

Align your perspective with God's Word

Biblical Examples of Vision

In the Old Testament, Abraham and Jacob received instructions from God through visions (Gen 15:1, 46:2). Many of the prophets commenced their writings as "The vision of..." (Isa 1:1; Obad 1:1; Mic 1:1; Nah 1:1), and visions are mentioned several times in Ezekiel and Daniel (Ezek 11:22, 43:3; Dan 2:19,45, 7:2,13, 8:1). When the people began to say that visions were not coming to pass, God declared "The days are near when every true vision will be fulfilled. What I say will be fulfilled" (Ezek 12:22-28).

In the New Testament, the father of John the Baptist had a face-to-face encounter with the angel of the Lord which the people interpreted as a vision (Lk 1:22). Others received direction the same way: Ananias was told to minister to the persecutor Saul (who became Paul), Peter's viewpoint changed dramatically as a result of what he 'saw', and Paul received the call to Macedonia (Acts 9:10, 10:9-20, 16:9). Looking back on his life, Paul testified, "I obeyed the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19; 2 Cor 12:1-4).

From Genesis to Revelation, God directs His people through vision

Samuel was only a boy when God gave him his first vision, with the Bible saying that in the last days it will be a common occurrence for young men to see visions (1 Sam 3:1-18; Joel 2:28). The same God still speaks today: in 'closed' countries, where access to the Bible and the gospel is limited, numerous people come to faith in Christ through dreams and visions as He reveals Himself directly to them as the Saviour.

Cultivating Vision

A God-given vision begins with receiving it from God through His Word and prayer, and writing it down so it can be pursued and reviewed (Hab 2:2). Any vision we receive must agree with the Word of God, the ultimate authority: "If it is of man's origin it will fail, yet if it is of God it can't be stopped" (Acts 5:39). It is possible for our own imagination and desires to produce false visions, and then for these to be spoken out as 'Thus says the Lord', when in fact it is the person's own thoughts and ideas (Ezek 13:2,6); a simple test is to ask who will benefit – self or God's Kingdom? We are then to share God's vision with others so they can grasp the possibility too and help fine-tune the details, for a God-given vision requires a team effort to fully accomplish His directives, as they will always be bigger than what one person can achieve alone (Neh 2:17-18).

If God gave the vision, He will also provide what is needed to fulfil it

Having received and tested a vision, we must act on it, for numerous worthwhile projects have been successfully accomplished in various realms of life as people have pushed beyond previous boundaries, thinking outside the normal parameters and seeing what is possible. A leadership vision, rather than leaving people wandering aimlessly, gives an idea of where an organisation is headed and helps it get there. When Noah had a vision, he built an ark and preserved the human race; when he lost it, he fell into drunkenness (Gen 6:22, 9:21). When David had a vision he conquered Goliath; when he lost it he couldn't conquer his lust (1 Sam 17:45-50; 2 Sam 11:4). Your dream will keep you on track if you maintain your focus, and even after it is fulfilled do not let your defences down – always be involved in the work of the Lord and ask for 'a new mountain to conquer' (Josh 14:12; 1 Cor 15:58). Be more focused on the present and the future than the past, for while God gives the vision, for it to become reality involves us working with God in humble, obedient submission, doing what is our responsibility – working at it with all our might as we discern and then endeavour to fulfil the dreams and visions we have received, for "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Eccl 9:10). Who knows what may happen because of your perseverance and discipline.

Reflection and Application

Ask God for a fresh vision of what He wants to do in and through your life (Jer 33:3).
Compare every impression with Scripture, the ultimate authority, and reject whatever contradicts it (Acts 17:11).
Take one step of obedience this week toward what God has already shown you (Jas 2:17).
Share your vision with one trusted person who will pray with you and encourage you in it (Eccl 4:9).