Vision - Leadership
Scripture Reading - Habakkuk 2:2-3 KJV
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
In our previous lesson we taught on “Vision”. We looked at the all-encompassing Will of God being revealed as “The Vision of God” because that is what God sees. We mentioned that men, women and children should seek to understand “God’s Vision” in their heart because a good portion of “God’s Vision” includes all mankind. There are some specific assignments for each person and there are some general assignments for all mankind as a whole. The following lesson highlighted “personal vision” concluding that each and every person should have a “vision” to share with those near them because sharing your “personal vision” helps people see just who you are and where you are going. Today’s lesson will discuss the responsibility of Leadership having a “vision”, living that “vision” and sharing that “vision” with those who are following them for a portion of their life. Yes, it is said, “Everybody is following somebody at some time in their life.” We know this to be true. That is why it is so important to make your “leadership vision” clear to any person supporting your work or admiring your “leadership vision”. In Matthew 4:18-20 KJV we read, “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” Notice that almost immediately Jesus shared “His Vision” of saving people (fishers of men) with two strangers. The “vision” was simple enough for them to understand because He spoke their language. He used fishermen terms they recognized and worked with every day. The Lord’s “Vision” was powerful enough for them (Peter and Andrew) to follow Him which proves the right “vision” will draw the right people unto it. This seems impractical to many people on the earth but the results speak for themselves. The truth of the matter is a true disciple will always choose Jesus over fear of the future and intimidation by their current job. The true disciple wants to follow Jesus wherever He may go. Yes, the true disciple makes “God’s Vision” their “personal vision” for life. A good leader motivates others to follow them, this is why so many follow Jesus. If you want to arrive at a certain destination you must choose the right path to get there. Many people want more money but what they should do is create a “vision” for their life first because that will influence how much money you will make. The same is true in relationships because many people want a husband or wife but if the person is not looking to marry for a long time or if they might decide to never marry knowing the “other person’s vision” upfront can save you a lot of head-aches and heart aches. Yes, parents are typically the first leaders we learn to follow until we are taught to follow educational leaders (teachers, counselors, coaches, college professors, etc…). Typically after education comes a career or vocation that first works for another. When seeking a job one of the first things you want to learn about the new company is what is their “vision” which you can easily find right on the company’s website. If the company doesn’t have a “vision” you probably need to look for another company to work for because without unity and proper guidance (one consistent voice, that is larger than one man) the chances are really low that you will get anywhere and others who work with you are probably not going anywhere either due to the lack of direction and focus. Yes, you are looking for “vision” from a supervisor or manager or senior co-worker during the interview and they (the company employees) in return are looking for “your vision (probably in the form of a resume)” if you are able to peak their interest during the interview they will ask questions about your skills and talents and they typically want to know about your five or ten year plan, which again is “your vision”. Hiring is primarily based upon “your vision” matching (or coming in line with) the “company’s vision” wherever necessary. Yes, “vision” is huge so we must treat it respectfully. The “vision of the leader” is not his/hers alone it is rather the blue-print for the whole company. This “vision” when read and understood will quickly identify those employees who show potential in comparison to those employees who push their own agenda (putting their own personal vision a head of the company’s vision). Yes, no one can have two “visions” because that would make you divided and anything divided shall fall. Yes, any company trying to push totally separate core values will find themselves in conflict and if that conflict-of-interest gets too loud for too long the downward performance of the overall company will suffer. If the company is hurting, the employees of that company are hurting too, and their family members are hurting too, all because the company with no “vision” or several “visions” is trying to find themselves. This lack of focus and lack of attention to detail will cause huge problems that will go down with the company and it was all because “no single vision for the workers to follow” caused confusion and chaos to those who were planning on helping the company. Have you ever noticed just how hard it is to follow someone who doesn’t know where they are going? The blind leading the blind is both frustrating and aggravating to say the least. So in summary if you are a leader in any shape, form or fashion please create a “vision” for your helpers. Make it clear (easy) to understand that those who read it can indeed run with it down the same path you are taking. Just remember, you need a “good vision” for good people to follow and right along the same lines of thought the worker-bees need a “good vision (Godly Vision)” to follow to keep their life on tract with following the will of God for their life. Amen! It all starts with “vision corporately and individually” to make sure there is agreement before a productive environment can exist. It is better to truly see a “vision” you couldn’t support than to be working aimlessly with no “vision” in place. Idle works are just as non-productive as dead-works when you compare them to the fruitfulness of the Kingdom of God. No vision means no foundation, no foundation means no direction, no direction means no unity and no unity means division and division means no production for God or your fellowman. So write the “vision” of your leadership team and clearly understand it because if you want to make your boss happy just follow and perform their “vision”. Yes, even if you don’t see your boss following the company’s “vision’ you do it anyway for the company’s sake (which includes all the employees) because doing it with the right motive is doing it unto the Lord and that gets you full credit in the eyes of God both now and forever. Amen!