Write the Vision

17 Jan Write the Vision

I’d like to talk about the biblical wisdom behind setting goals.

So, tell me. How do you feel about goal setting? Does it make you anxious? Perhaps, annoyed? or do you think it’s a silly thing to do?

Honestly, I think that I’ve felt every one of those emotions about goal setting at some point in my life. But in my maturity, I’ve learned that setting them is a necessary action. 

The Biblical account of an Old Testament Prophet named Habakkuk provides understanding into the setting and achieving of goals. In Habakkuk 2:1-3, it says, “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.

Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”

Are you ready to lean in and set your goals? After my study of Habakkuk, I’ve identified some steps we should take:

1. Seek God.

Saddened by the violence that was going on around him, Habakkuk poured out his heart to God.

Sis, before you set goals your goals, you need to seek God’s direction for your life and pray!

2. Get in expectation. 

After Habakkuk sought God and before God responded, Habakkuk placed himself in a watchtower (often used by prophets to show an attitude of expectation). He wanted to be in the best position to receive what God had to say.

Next, I want you to immediately start to get excited about the possibilities of your life as if they’ve already manifested!  

Think about what you want to be (goals improving yourself, often habit goals), what you want to do (goals including events and activities that give you fulfillment), and what you want to have (goals what you want to have goals involving possessions). Then, think about how you can become a blessing to the kingdom and its people, after achieving these things.

3. Write the vision.

God responds to Habakkuk, “Write the vision…”

Now, you actually have to “write” your goals down. 

Writing our goals, not only helps us to do the deep thinking to flesh out our needs and wants, but it also helps them come to pass. 

I don’t know how many times I have gone to bed or woken up with what I thought was an incredible idea, vision, or had a moment when I’ve clearly heard the Lord’s voice (or as my pastor calls, them – “bloop moments”), and I never wrote it down. I forgot it and lost most of its most valuable content.

When a vision is written, God can begin to move on your behalf. He will give you the additional details, (only as you need them) to make it happen. I know firsthand, that when your faithful, he will allow the people and material assistance to come your way.

4. Make it plain. 

“….and make it plain on tablets.,”

If your vision is not clear to you or to the assistance that God sends your way, you will have problems trying to run with it. Making sure your vision is written plainly (see: simple) and in well-defined steps is essential to make sure you can follow it.

5. Place it where you can see it (so that even when you’re busy you can read it).

“That he may run who reads it.”

When you’re running (busy, distracted, overwhelmed), you need to be able to still read the vision. Place a copy at the front of your planner, on your bathroom mirror, the sticky notes on your laptop, or an actual post-it on the dashboard of your car.

6. Keep score. 

Your goals need milestones so that you know how far along you are. By measuring your goals in quarters or actionable steps, you can measure your progress because you always have a fixed endpoint or benchmark to compare with. Take this scenario for example: When my husband travels to Texas for work, he knows that when he reaches Buc-ee’s, the super convenience store, he is approximately halfway to his destination.

We all need these types of markers on our journey to achieving our goals. They give us the momentum to keep going and to realign our focus, which is our end goal.

That’s why Paul said, “I do not run aimlessly” (1 Corinthians 9:26).

I actually love the MSG version of this scripture, “I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it, and then missing out myself.”

Paul “ran” with his eyes on the prize he really wanted — the prize he believed would yield him the most happiness.

7. Be patient

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

God did not just tell Habakkuk to write down his goals and make them plain. He told him to be patient because His plan for him would surely come. Your passions, the goal, vision, or that God-given dream, that God has put in your mind and on your heart will also, manifest! 

Women of Judah, great goals require guidance and a plan. If you are serious about living a life of focus and purpose, continuously seek God, wait in expectation, write the vision, make it plain, place it where you can see it, keep score and be patient in faith.

And remember, a God-given vision will always be fulfilled.