Section 3: Purpose Provides Vision
Vision is purpose in action—a roadmap that directs your journey, aligning goals and decisions with the Creator’s intent. It transforms potential into measurable impact, guiding you toward fulfillment.
The value of known purpose is the foundation which man must build his life upon. Living a life of purpose, is living a life that is filled with precision and direction. Purpose organizes one’s life, because it provides vision which acts as a roadmap. The roadmap of vision, over the course of one’s life, could be broken down into an itinerary which acts as the plan of action to meet specific destinations (goals) along the way. Purpose determines the final destination and vision is the plan which guides arrival at the destination. Purpose is the end toward which something exists and is predestined. When you know the desired end before you begin the journey, you are much more likely to stick with your task and stay on the prescribed path. Therefore, vision provides the impetus to act on the direction set by purpose.
In earlier units, we saw how “sight” without “vision” could be potentially threatening to purpose when we discussed the difference between human beings and the apple seed. This example helps to demonstrate the fundamental differences between the physical ability “to see” and what is meant in the biblical sense by “vision.” From the perspective of the scriptures, vision is “the ability to see the end from the beginning.” Vision does not confine itself to the natural and seeing what is, instead vision extends to the ability to mentally perceive what could or should be happening. Vision requires mental acuteness, discernment, insight, foresight and imagination. Vision partners with purpose to ensure that goals are not only reached but that their fulfillment aligns with the intended outcomes.
Once purpose is known, a plan of action and objectives can be established to serve as a compass to direct vision. By determining goals and/or objectives which propel us toward the expected end of purpose, the journey towards fulfillment is not only more manageable but it becomes more efficient. Goals and objectives allow for the development of a plan or course of action, and this plan helps to effectively manage time, energy and other resources. A clear purpose with an aligned vision allows for you to protect yourself from being busy but not effective. Purpose translated to a vision causes things to happen and people to act. This is true because purpose creates vision, vision produces goals, goals permit the development of a plan, and a plan allows for an orderly journey. In the absence of a clear purpose and vision life can feel empty and death rather than purpose becomes imminent. The absence of a life of purpose is man’s separation from The Creator, and a separation of creation from The Creator is defined as death.
Our future, just like our purpose, is hidden on the inside of us. Yet, what lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies in us. Those who choose obedience and to walk into purpose, have chosen to answer their inner calling. By embracing these divine summons, you set yourself apart as ‘salt of the earth’ or as a standard for others, a beacon or a guide. Purpose changes how we experience time and our vision in purpose sets us on a journey to eternity. By answering the call of purpose we engage in a journey that transforms our relationship with time and sets us on a path toward eternal significance. Death no longer possesses its sting.
Purpose maximizes energy and gives time meaning. Purpose is the most valuable treasure you can find because it takes you beyond temptations, misunderstandings, the unfaithfulness of family and friends and even death itself. Purpose creates vision, vision produces goals, goals permit the development of a plan, and a plan allows for an orderly journey. Furthermore, a vision and a plan allows for the productive and effective engagement of other individuals. No man is an island and even personal purpose has a corporate plan that relies on a sound vision and leadership. When a leader or the visionary sets their goals, these goals create priorities, determine decisions, dictate companions and predict choices. Together these steps allow us to fulfill purposes.
What is a Vision?
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