When Vision is Lacking.

Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind, said, "Can there be anything worse than blindness? Oh yes...for the most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision."

When vision is lacking..
There is no growth.
There is no maturing.
There is no guidance.
There is no fruit.

When vision is lacking..
Leadership is lacking.
Understanding is lacking.
Community is lacking.
Integrity is lacking.

When vision is lacking..
There is blame.
There is finger pointing.
There are arguments.
There is dissension.

When vision is lacking..
The people are lost.
The people are confused.
The people are frustrated.
The people perish (Prov 29:18).
This is not of God.

When vision is lacking..
People become stagnant.
They fester.
They become ill.
Water that is stagnant
does not flow.
People that are stagnant
do not go unto the world
to spread the light that they hold.
When they stay
in one place too long,
if they don't go out into the open air,
that light will choke, falter and die out.

When vision is lacking..
Efforts are scattered.
A congregation is torn apart.
People set their own goals.
They wander off.
Some get lost.
Others get hurt.
A few find better pastures.

When vision is lacking..
in a battle, there is massacre.
Christianity is a battle
against our sinful natures.
When vision is lacking,
we set the stage for defeat.
There can be no victory
when vision is lacking.

Is it time for mutiny?
The leader dictates,
there is no council,
there are no committees.
He will not share his vision.
Could it be he has none?
Questioning is unwelcome.
Discussion is avoided.
The punishment for mutiny
is death on the high seas.
Will I suffer the same, spiritually,
if I call out this "leader"?

Is it time to flee?
Fleeing is condemned.
Fleeing is weak.
Fleeing is stepping
out of the boat.
Could I walk on water?
Not fleeing will likely
be the death of me.

People all around me are
making the motions,
keeping busy
-but toward what goal?
An old Japanese proverb says:
"Vision without action is a daydream.
Action without vision is a nightmare.
This is my nightmare.

I want something more.
I've seen my life so much better.
Could it be that the grass
just seems greener on the other side?

Why am I made to feel guilty
- for wanting more?
Rebellious?
Disobedient?
For wanting more of God?
For wanting to do more for God?
For believing there is more to abiding in God?

I want to abound!
I want joy!
I want community!
I want encouragement!
I want hope!

Don't knock me down!
Don't tell me I am lacking!
These things I know.
I don't come into God's house
for condemnation.

My God is a God of refuge.
My God is a God of strength.
My God is a God of renewal.

I want to see!
Work with me to visualize.
Work with me to see the goal.
If I can't see it,
If I can't imagine it,
How will I know I've arrived?
How will I know I'm on the right road?
How will I be motivated to reach for the end?

I need purpose.
I need direction.
Show me the steps I need to follow.
Guide me.

I seek a pastor.
God you are my pastor.
I can feel you in my life.
I can see you in my mind.
I will seek the path
that will take me to you.
As Paul said, (Philippians 3:14)
"I press on toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus.

My goal is heaven.
Shake the shackles of a blind existence.
Remove the binds of a pointless action.
Cast away the weight of mediocrity.
Open my eyes to your glory.
Shine your light through me,
for all the world to see.