Vision

‘As a young minister, surely you just want to recreate what other youthful churches are doing, Soul Survivor, Hillsong, Bethel… That vision is TOO big for here!!!’

Believe it or not, as a young(ish) minister, (and even previously as a Youth Pastor) I am often times pigeonholed as someone who thinks in certain ways or acts certain ways.

Now, I am a passionate man. Often times when I take the pulpit, my talks can come out, well, passionate, and that practically means, sometimes it’s fast, energetic, different to what many in the congregation may have been used to.

For YEARS, many have said, ‘We know you’re young, but you have to slow down!’ Or even worse,  ‘Your style is very American, our ears can’t keep up.’

Both of those things are false. It is not my youth or my American accent that makes me faster, or jumpy. It’s my passion!!! It’s my belief that God has a plan and a purpose for me, His Church, and everyone who believes in Him.

IT EXCITES ME THAT GOD IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS!!! (Ok, admittedly that’s a bit excitable, but hey, I am me after all.)

God has a vision for Gamlingay Baptist Church. Again, being a young minister in a rural setting, often times people think I am only here for a short term, and that any vision I have is about me and about what I can bring to the church before I move on. However,  it’s not about me… it’s about God.

The reality is, in my case, and I would hope in the case of most ministers, I am in the place where God has called, seeking HIS vision not just for my life, but for the Church!

The world may tell you that your vision has to look and feel a certain way. If you’re a business person, your vision might be to move up the ranks, incredibly quickly, to make lots of money, and retire early. If you’re an athlete, it might be similar, to succeed at the highest possible level in your sport.

But, have you ever asked yourself, what is GOD’s vision is for you, your business, your sport? Your situation? Yeah, I know you have personal preferences, but what about God???

I can tell you that in seeking God’s vision for Gamlingay Baptist Church, I have been surprised. It doesn’t all look the way I would do it, it’s not all at the pace that I would do it, BUT, in seeking GOD’s vision, and HIS direction, we see GREAT FRUIT…

In Jeremiah 29:11 we read:

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

People often turn to this verse to bring a light at the end of the tunnel in a bad situation, and how we will all prosper. But that’s not what God means here!

He says HE KNOWS what is coming for you, He has a vision for your life. It may take time to get there, there will probably be bumps along the way, BUT GOD HAS A VISION that is for GOOD, not harm!!!

And you know what? God’s vision is ALWAYS big. If you can achieve your God-given vision, in your own strength, without God showing up, it’s not big enough! Because God’s vision for me, for you, for US, will ALWAYS include a reliance on Him, no matter what sphere of life we’re in. For me, regardless of the size the church I may be called to lead, I have to rely on God for vision and direction, and fulfilment of both of those.

The question then is, what is your vision for your work, your family, your studies, your life? Is it about you? Or about God? Is your vision only big enough for you to achieve it alone, or will God have to step in?

ORIGINALLY USED AS PART OF A 4 PIECE REFLECTION SERIES FOR BBC RADIO CAMBS.
Photo by Daniil Kuželev on Unsplash