Clear Vision

April 2021

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:18 ESV

Vi·sion (noun)

1. the faculty or state of being able to see.

2. the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.

(Definition from Oxford Languages)

“And He said, ‘Hear My words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.’” Numbers 12:6 ESV

EYES TO SEE

“O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:17 NASB

We have recently been seeing physical blind eyes healed and opened. Many people are no longer needing eyeglasses to see clearly. Crystal clear vision is obviously on the Father’s heart for both the natural and spiritual eyes. It’s exciting to hear reports of vision becoming clear as people focus on Jesus. His desire is for everyone to see, blind eyes opened, and spiritual eyes awakened to know Him. As vision clears, destiny is revealed and long awaited promises are fulfilled.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and He has anointed me to be hope for the poor, healing for the brokenhearted, and new eyes for the blind, and to preach to prisoners, ‘You are set free!’ I have come to share the message of Jubilee, for the time of God’s great acceptance has begun.” Luke 4:18-19 TPT

God’s vision is our destiny. As His view becomes our view, we begin to see the steps to our future. What God has called us to do is in fact the dreams, visions, and desires He has placed deep inside of each of us. It is time to make the visions plain, write them down, and place them before our eyes. We must hold onto the vision as if our life depended on it… because it does. God’s will, vision, and destiny for our life is a road map and should be our main lifeline and source as we look to our future.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

The Lord is opening eyes and revealing destinies in this hour with step by step instruction as people look to Him. Many already know the promises of God for their future and have been contending for their destiny for a very long time. Some have even crossed over into their promised land in this new season. However, I often see people struggle once they get clear direction or cross over into a new season. They feel like giving up before they see the promise completely fulfilled. I too have done this many times until I began to hold the vision clearly before my eyes.

To see clear is to have clear vision. To have clear vision is to see. In order to see, you have to look at something. To look at something, you have to write it down. To write it down requires faith and intentionality. When God places a dream inside your heart, something He put in you before the foundations of the earth, it is important to be intentional, purposefully going after it and not stopping.

“Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.” Ephesians 1:4 (ESV)

KEEP LOOKING FORWARD

“And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!” Galatians 6:9 TPT

I feel many have been holding onto dreams and visions for so long that you are weary in well doing. Many may have shifted into a new season but now are feeling stuck once again seeking further purpose or direction. Fear may be trying to sneak in as doubt of God’s will tries to weasel its way back into your mindset. Some may be lacking a deeper level of trust that is needed to move onward. No matter what you are facing, I want to encourage you to keep moving forward and don’t stop. Don’t allow doubt to trap you in a “pause” moment. God’s will shall come forth, even if it feels slow-moving right now. It is vital for those feeling like they are walking through mud to rest so they don’t grow weary. I encourage you to take the high road of peace, keep moving forward, and do not look back to the past. I say, keep looking forward!

“When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, ‘Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!’” Genesis 19:17 NLT

God instructs us in Habakkuk 2:2 to write the vision plain for all to see. I love how the Message version describes this verse, “And then God answered: ‘Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.’”

God’s Word does not lie. His will and purpose shall happen at the right time. As we keep moving forward and get closer to the promises of God, our spirits ache with excitement at what is coming as the earth groans for God’s will to collide with earth. Be careful not to rush ahead of God’s timing, but be diligent to not delay or hit the pause button in disobedience either. Listen and obey God’s voice at all cost as you focus on the prize–His will, vision, and plan.

WRITE THE VISION

In the passage of Habakkuk 2:2, there is a clear directive that many, including myself, have missed at times. We must write! We must make the vision, dreams, callings, commissions, and directions put inside us from God Himself down on paper and place it before our eyes. The Message version says it perfectly, “Write it out in BIG block letters so that it can be read on the RUN.” It is vital that we write the vision out in big, bold letters so we can read it at any place and at any time when doubt and fear try to come. It is so important to read it on the run. As we are busy out and about doing life, we should never forget the promises of God. We must continue to look at the vision so we don’t lose sight of where God is taking us.

“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT

God’s Words He is speaking now and throughout scripture are a light unto our path, the directions for each day, and breath to our lungs. As He reveals long term plans for our destiny, it is crucial that we write them down plainly and hold it before our eyes to look at when we begin to question each day what to do and how to spend our time.

THE COMPARISON TRAP

Each one of us has a map and blueprint from Heaven that is especially designed just for us. This roadmap is God’s thumbprint that marks each one of us uniquely for His purpose and plan. If we try and create our own way or try and model others by comparison, we take the chance of losing vision. Comparison is just as much a trap of the enemy to derail us as fear and doubt are. We must identify and turn from any form of comparison if we want to have our vision clear. It is important to remain focused on what God has placed inside each of us without replicating or duplicating someone else's call or vision. Comparison drowns out and floods God’s call on our life by watering it down to someone else's level instead of flowing in the lane God has designed each of us to flow in.

“But you should all constantly boil over with passion in seeking the higher gifts. And now I will show you a superior way to live that is beyond comparison!”

1 Corinthians 12:31 TPT

Comparison is sneaky! More sneaky than fear and doubt. Comparison can look good and hides itself as a type of camouflage in order for you to take the bait. Once you bite, it hooks you and begins to reel you in for the need of approval by man. Comparison sounds good in the beginning in ways such as, “Why reinvent the wheel,” “It worked for them, so it will work for us,” “So-and-so does it this way and they were successful, we should do it that way, too,” or “That is cool, we should do that.” But, what looks harmless turns into following other’s lead instead of God’s way. Instead of asking God what He wants us to do and how He wants things run in our lives, we often look to others and fall into the hidden comparison trap that always leads to lack of vision and drowns out God’s perfect plan for each of us. Comparison is like cataracts for the spiritual eye. It makes vision cloudy until it completely covers all sight, making us unable to see if we are seeking the approval of man or God.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 ESV

How do we avoid falling into this trap, turn from this downward spiral, and dig ourselves out of the slippery slope that leads to loss of vision and a clouded view? We must be good stewards of God’s Word by making the vision clear and obeying at all cost. We must be overseers of what the Lord has told us, write down His now voice, and hold onto it with dear life. We must not look to the right or left, but keep our eyes on Jesus and obey Him. Obey Him at all cost and know that what He says is more real than this temporary reality. It is so important that we live a pure and trustworthy life as we go after His call by faith and do not quit.

STEWARD WELL

“For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

Titus 1:7-9 ESV

I have seen the amazing results that come with stewarding God’s words well, writing, journaling, taking notes, and I am a well-known sticky note queen. I put notes anywhere and everywhere! Those that once laughed at me have now found just how much those little yellow squares work at transforming the mind into the likeness of Christ. What looks like words on a tiny yellow note blossoms within the mind, body and spirit man as the vision takes root and comes to life. It is the Kingdom way and I encourage you to try it. I found that the better I became at writing and stewarding His voice, the more He shared His heart with me. Stewarding His Words in a pure and trustworthy way shows that we can be trusted in the Fathers sight.

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”

1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

Writing and making the vision clear and plain helps us to focus on what is true and turn from any lies the enemy tries to throw at us. As we look at the vision written on paper, it recalibrates our natural mind to align with the Holy Spirit. When our hearts, minds, spirits and intentions all align with God’s will, power from on High explodes as our faith pulls down the plans from Heaven into the natural realm.

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

“But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him’” 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

If you find yourself feeling stuck even after knowing the will of God for your life, writing the vision down, and placing it before your eyes to gaze at daily, I encourage you to spend more time alone with Jesus. In your alone time with Him, ask Him detailed questions about what is on His heart and about His plan for your life. You may have the ultimate long-term plan written out, but He is also waiting and willing to give you the detailed, step-by-step instructions to carry out His vision for your life daily.

KINGDOM COMMUNICATION

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 ESV

In order to gather His daily manna, instructions, and plans, we must sit with Him and have a conversation. We have not because we ask not. In our “fast food” society/mentality, it is important for us to learn how to communicate with God and with each other. Asking questions is a great foundational way to create a relationship. Ask, ask, and ask again until we get the whole picture––learning to cultivate a Kingdom relationship based on communication instead of need.

“Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 ESV

To ask is to talk and to talk is to learn to communicate in a healthy way with the King of the world. He is not a demanding, controlling God. He is a loving Father and He is waiting with open arms to sit with you, listen, and respond in love. He is also a just Judge and Ruler. Many want to skip over the judgment side of who God is and only see Him in a loving light. Some focus too strongly on the harsher sides of who He is and need to explore His tender sides as well. It is important to see God clearly for all that He is and know Him on a deeper level so we don’t make assumptions based out of blurry vision or create false expectations. We need to focus on all sides of the Creator and not just one singular view. He is loving and kind as well as just and fair. We need to communicate with Him and truly know Him in order to have a healthy view of who He is in holy awe, wonder, fear, and reverence. A clear view of God allows us to communicate with Him on a whole new level.

HIGHER CALLING

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.”

Isaiah 65:24 NIV

Jesus is just a breath or call away. We can come to Him and He will answer. It may not be at that exact moment, but He will always answer in His perfect time. He wants a relationship, not a dictatorship. Communication and friendship, not to be a fortune telling crystal ball. He wants us to lean on Him and not our own understanding. To trust Him throughout our process of walking out His will in this earth.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

He needs us to be His hands and feet on the earth. He has placed a vision inside of each of us that He needs to fulfill. He is calling many higher in this hour to not fall into comparison, fear, or doubt, even if things seem to be slowly playing out before our eyes. In the slow motion is where directions are given if we will seek His face instead of our own understanding. In what feels like a slow moving process, our paths are being made straight. God Himself is going before us to clear the way. As we focus on Him and obey, we will end up where He needs us to be.

“But the Lord your God Himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the Lord promised.” Deuteronomy 31:3 NLT

Many have recently and swiftly taken flight into their callings—crossing over into a new season. As things have quickly and suddenly shifted, some may have been surprised that their promises did not fully look like what they thought it would on the other side. Some may have found giants in the land, others may feel grief from the ever moving good change, and many may feel like they are in slow motion or that they missed it. Remember in the slow motion, grief from good change, and facing large giants is where God meets us for another conference call to get everyone back on the same page. As you set time aside to listen for His daily direction, He will meet you.

WAIT FOR IT

You have not missed it! You may need to crawl out of the pit of fear, doubt or comparison and make the vision plain again, but you haven't missed it. What you may be feeling is the slow motion of God’s perfect alignment. In the slow days, rest can be found if you resist fear and doubt and remain focused on Him. Trust Him and He will direct your path. Trust His timing. Wait for it, God’s will shall come to pass.

As you wait on Him, I want to encourage you to give yourself permission not to make quick decisions without hearing from God first. Many are feeling the pressure to make decisions based out of the ever evolving, quickly moving wave of promises fulfilled. God is on the move and things are quickly gaining ground, but it is so important that we not move an inch without hearing His voice first. We must rest in our loving devotion to the King. Redemption is found in abundance as we wait for Him to guide our steps.

“I wait for the Lord; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is loving devotion, and with Him is redemption in abundance.”

Psalm 130:5-7 BSB

The Lord is wanting us to abide in Him and to include Him in every single decision and choice we make down to the dates, times, what we wear, and how we spend our time. The promises He has fulfilled are birthed from Him and for Him–His visions coming to life. He is looking for people that will make Him their first and only thought and allow Him to drive the ship–His plan, for His glory. A people who will rest in the waiting.

BIRTHING A NEW MOVE

God is birthing a new move and He wants to be the parent. Those He has called forth to birth their destiny for His purpose in this hour need to allow Him to take the lead role. He doesn’t want to give His baby up for adoption and let someone else parent His new move. He is looking for people to co-parent with Him to birth and grow a mighty outpouring of His Spirit without comparing or replicating a past season. If we fall into the comparison trap of people pleasing or solely looking at the past, it will force Him to take the back seat. He is raising up a chosen company with crystal clear vision that only look to Him as their guide. The Lord is calling like-minded people together to foster His move, but ultimately He desires to have the main parental role in all we build for Him. In past seasons, it has been more about what we needed to do to make things happen in our own power or how we wanted things to look. But in this season, it is more about what we can do for Him to bring His will to the earth––making His vision and will plain as we abide and walk closely with Him.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.” John 15:16 ESV

God is calling us to desire His will, His purpose, and His view above our own; to see through His vision and not by earthly understanding. We should desire to make His name known and not our own. As our plans, visions, dreams, and destiny align with His, promises are birthed. I encourage you to write down what He speaks and make His vision for your life clear. When you feel fear, doubt, or comparison try to sneak into your decisions and thought process, look at the vision. Stay focused on His destiny for your life. Stick to His blueprint at all cost so you do not grieve His heart or fall into a trap. You are birthing His destiny that shall far succeed anything you could think or imagine. His destiny for your life awaits as you make the vision crystal clear before your eyes and run towards it in obedience.

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!” Ephesians 3:20 MSG

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”

Habakkuk 2:2 ESV