I haven’t been blogging the past few days because I spent the weekend dating my wife and intentionally staying away from a computer. We traveled back to the Carolinas and relaxed in some beautiful bed and breakfasts. We enjoyed our favorite restaurants and hung-out with old friends. The weekend renewed our souls and our marriage.

    As we traveled, it seemed like we had a story or memory around every corner. The memories reminded us of the scary but rewarding path that God has brought us down. Here is something I learned as we traveled this past weekend: Visions are rarely clear. Let me explain. 

    Twelve years ago, my wife and I had a vision of what our life might look like, but the vision we saw was very dark. It was not dark in a depressing scary way. It was a type of low-light darkness that makes things barely visible. We could see children, a house, vacations and we could see our future in fulltime ministry. We could see all these things but they were not clear. We couldn’t see the faces of our children or the type of house we would live in. We couldn’t see the ministries we would serve or the church I lead today.  Everything was dark. Our eyes of faith could only see a low-lit blurry image of our future. Often, this is how God works. The Bible reminds us that our vision is blurred. I Corinthians 13:12 says,

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

We only faintly see God’s vision for our life and we will only fully know God’s plan when it is all said and done. So here’s what this means:

    -    Your “dark blurry vision” has something to do with God’s calling on your life. Ever wonder what God is wanting to do with your life? That dark blurry vision has something to do with it.
 
    -    Your “dark blurry vision” is God’s invitation to step out in faith. Don’t wait until your vision becomes perfectly clear. It may never happen.

    -    Your “dark blurry vision” will become clearer as you pursue it. Each step along the way you will say, “So that is what I saw.”

    -    Your “dark blurry vision” is what makes you come alive. When you pursue the vision for which you were created, you will begin to come alive. Your journey may be difficult and even painful, but the day you see the vision clearly you will know you’re fully alive.

Here are a few questions to think about:
-    Has God given you a “dark blurry vision” for your life? Can you write it down?
-    What is keeping you from pursuing your vision?  What steps can you take this week?
-    Do you feel fully alive doing what you are doing? Have you lost that vision and settled for something less than what you were created to do?

Pursue your “dark blurry vision” and begin to fully live.
Your Friend and Partner in the Journey,
Pastor Randall

P.S. – Go see the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness.”  It’s a great true story about pursuing your vision.  I don’t think you will be disappointed.