From George and Sharmaine – February 2009 Congregational Newsletter

Vision is a word bandied about in many corporate and ecclesiastical circles. The thesaurus gives us the alternative words of dream, idea, mental picture, image or visualization.
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God), the people perish. Habakkuk 2 admonishes us to write the vision down clearly.
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Webster says or defines vision as:

1. The faculty of sight,
2. Unusual foresight,
3. A mental image produced by the imagination,
4. The experience of the supernatural as if with the eyes.

Without a vision we are like a rock that has been skipped on the top of some lake somewhere and we and we have no way of guiding ourselves. We are at the lake’s mercy as to where we end up, as to how far we go, as to when we turn or stop. We have no control over our own lives.

Helen Keller was asked once “What would be worse than being born blind?” to which she replied “Having sight without a vision.” What a profound statement by a girl who was born into this world Deaf and blind. She could not help how she came into this world but she sure could help how she left this world.

Let me tell you today we can’t help how we came into this world but WE CAN HELP HOW WE LEAVE IT.
So many people today live in a “visionless” state. They drift from day to day, not seeming to have hope for tomorrow. Not really even believing in the future. It so reminds us of these kinds of sayings:
Don't expect too much, and then you won't be disappointed.
Aim low, and then if something good happens, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

God is not interested in healing your body. God is interested in saving your soul.

This world is sinking in sin anyway. Why bother trying to fix the Titanic? Better to get in a lifeboat and wait for heaven.
How sad we get when we hear people speak in this manner.
Vision has been called hope with a blueprint. Vision is what an inventor has when he or she thinks outside the box to create something new. Vision is what a mother has as she looks at her newborn baby and imagines all that child could grow up to become.

Vision has a way of ignoring its critics and chasing its dream regardless of how many people say it can’t be done. Consider these famous predictions that underestimated the incredible power of vision.

Thomas Watson, the chairman of IBM in 1943 said, "I think there is a market for maybe five computers in the world."
Ken Olson, president and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation said in 1977, "There is no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home."
Consider this Western Union memo from 1876: "The Telephone is has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication."
Or consider the words of Decca Recording company, when why they turned down signing the Beatles in 1962: "We don’t like their sound and guitar music is on the way out."
Charles Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents said in 1899, "Everything that can be invented has been invented."

You get the idea. Vision has a way of ignoring those who say it can’t be done and doing it anyway.

Yet we go through times when our vision fades. The flame of our vision begins to dim, it’s passion begins to ease, and it’s heat begins to cool. This can only be restored by spending time with The One who gives us vision, becoming intimate with The Lover of our souls, seeing in-to-Him and opening yourself to Him. Read His Word, listen to Him whisper your name, hear the things He longs to share with you, wonderful things no one else knows, deep secrets for your life, your blue print.

Today begin your adventure with God anew, today ask The Creator to restore your vision to mend the broken places in your life and see what God will do.

We look forward to sharing vision with you during February.
Remember we love you with the love of Christ
In His Service

George and Sharmaine