An addendum is defined as “an addition to a completed written document.” Sort of like a real estate document that is finished, but a few more items need to be added.
My definition: “I didn’t say all I wanted to say about Vision in the last post so I thought I would use one more post to add-to-it.” 🙂
I have often heard it said, “Dream something so great that unless God is in it, it is doomed to fail.” That has some value to it. But it can also raise some serious questions. You and I have seen the temples built as a monument to man’s ego (called churches by the world), only to watch them fall apart when time, money, failure, or something else gets in the way. No names need mentioned. When the bubble burst recently, one of the most repossessed properties were church buildings built during the dot.com heyday. In many cases, one man had a vision alright. But when the “if you build it they will come” did not materialize, it was a bust. Sadly, we got the cart before the horse and it devastated many churches.
Now…don’t get me wrong. There is certainly nothing wrong with dreaming. Every year millions of people visit two place-one in Florida and one in California-built by a man who was stoked by a vision of a kingdom. Going against the advice of architects and construction managers, Walt Disney said, “Build the castle first.” Why? He never wanted the crews to lose sight of what his dream was all about.
My oldest daughter, Tami, began dreaming of better health and a new way of life. After health issues started in earnest over 4 years ago, she had enough of listening to the conflicting advice of others and a little over a year ago she decided to investigate and take matters in her own hands. One year later she is healthier; 30 pounds lighter; running 5Ks and others (when she was barely able to walk without pain); and is pursuing a health/life coach degree so she can help others.
THE POWER OF A DREAM CANNOT BE DENIED.
But when it comes to the church, the dream must…AND HAS TO BE TEMPERED WITH…God’s leading and direction. When it all comes down to it, all the gurus; all the formulas; all the planning meetings; and all the finagling to present it correctly so it grips others, is all for naught if it is NOT GOD’S DREAM FOR THAT PARTICULAR CHURCH COMMUNITY. Jay is right in his comment. (Go seven down). It is absolutely essential that we spend time with our dream/vision and make sure it is NOT ours, but God’s! Discernment is key.
Okay…so here is the million dollar question: how do you determine if the dream is God’s or if you are just hoping it is?
for me- it was seeing the results and watching things fall into place that were nothing BUT God.
He has a way of doing that. 😉
Man that is a tough question. I don’t think you ever really can know. Sometimes you might be acting on your own internal feelings and only after you take a few steps does God step in for the journey. I think my feeling is that you should pray like crazy and then proceed until you get a definite stop.
it is a tough question. Your approach is one to definitely think about. For some, it is the way they operate.
Unless the Lord builds the house rings a bell…that, and another old Keith Green song “You just keep doing your best, and pray that it’s blessed – Jesus takes care of the rest.”
Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit as well as my plans. Guide me in the way you would have me go to accomplish that which you would have me do, and I’ll trust You to do that which You alone can do. Amen.
That’s my simple formula. Your mileage may vary 🙂
Committing and trusting…seems like SOMEONE I know did that exact same thing. 🙂 I could go with that approach (and have).
I struggle with this. I don’t think it’s a formula. You seek The Lord and pursue Him and then see what desires He gives you.
As you can tell I do also Larry. Like you, not sure there is a formula.
Joseph Smith had a vision of a church. It, by all measures, has been quite successful. Does that mean the vision or dream was also God’s dream? Did God have anything to do with it?
The way I determine if it is God’s dream or just a hope is that it is always just a hope. It seems that everything that is successful doesn’t require a supernatural explanation. And that failures somehow are the result of God’s displeasure with a particular plan or vision makes no sense either.
I don’t think God is the reason behind anything working or not working. A persons particular abilities will determine the possibility of success, not some intervention of a supernatural force.
I am open to the possibility of a supernatural intervention, I have just never seen any evidence of it. Until I do I will assume it is just wishful thinking.
Jeff, I’d offer my life as living proof of divine intervention – but you do not know me, have never seen me, don’t know where I’m located (unless you work for the NSA), and therefore aren’t qualified to speak on either what my experiences have been, or who I attribute them to. 🙂
Just as some folks were demanding Christ give them a sign – a proof – He refused to give them more than He did.
I’m with Rick on this Jeff. I know we come from different “plains” of thought, but I do believe in divine/supernatural intervention. My biggest example would be changed lives (like Rick’s). But I also know some consider that pure subjectivism and not a good example.
I am not only not qualified I am not interested in speaking about someone elses experiences. I am only speaking for myself. I am not even asking for a sign or proof. I am simply saying in my experience I have never seen any evidence of supernatural intervention. When I do I will change my mind.
i can always pray that way then? 😛
I’ve been asking myself and God this question a great deal lately.
What I’m coming to learn is that the things in my heart (my vision) that are from Him will always bring HIM glory and it seems to come at a price to me (less of me and more of Him). I tend to think I can do everything, but God is showing me that I really can’t. Doesn’t matter the talent, if He’s not in it it isn’t blessed. And I don’t want to waste my time or God’s by focusing on something He doesn’t want.
The visions from Him usually are also so big there’s no way they can be done without Him.
I think I’m rambling. I hope I made some sort of sense.
I think you are onto something TC. Whatever will give HIM glory. It will never be taken by us or pointed to us. Oh…you made sense. Does that say I understand a rambling mind? 🙂
Some dream action criteria for me….
The dream is never more important than the One who gives dreams
I GO until I hear NO
Am I willing to give the dream up if the Father asks me to?
Your dream is not your possession but you have to own it.
This is the realization that the dream is really God’s but our buy in to it is important. Not just for obedience sake but for the relational aspect of it. The dream is given to draw us in closer and participate in a Holy work with the Father. The dream is His and we are part of it…our hold is not on the dream but on Him.
Just another one of my knotholes!
I have absolutely no problem with your criteria jay. In fact, it clarifies things a lot. A God-given dream will draw us to Him and His work.
Okay, Mr-I’m-not-afraid-to-tackle-the-tough-questions!
Too often we have the dreams and set about to complete them and then ask God to bless them. Often even when we’re seeking His will we’re blinded by our desires. When scripture is quoted using the words of Christ, “What ever ye ask in my name will be given unto you,” is not taking into account that to “ask IN My name,” is to be IN His will. I’m with Jay. Seek His will in prayer and wise counsel and move to be the people of action that our Father’s called us to be. It won’t be long before we know if it’s in His will for sure… Been there done that!
Who you calling Mr-I’m-not-afraid-to-tackle-the-tough-questions! 🙂 Who me? As I stated, and you stated even better- sometimes we do get the cart before the horse. “I’m doing this Lord now bless it!” Wrong way to do it. I do believe God will make it known.
Prayer, time in the Word, and discussions with Godly people usually are great helps for me in discerning whether a dream is from God.
I’ve come to learn that circumstances are not a good indication that I am in God’s will. The horrendous agony and pain that Jesus suffered through on the cross was His Father’s will, and humanly speaking, on the surface that surely does not look like a good thing. In fact, it was the greatest thing that God did for us by opening Heaven for all who will believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Maybe the only way to be certain is to learn to tune in to the Still Small Voice of the Holy Spirit. Learn the difference between what I want and what He wants. It works. It isn’t always comfortable, and I can override it if I choose, but the end result is always healthier for everyone if I listen to the Spirit.
Since St. Paul tells us that “the devil can come all dressed up as an angel of light”, we can’t trust in anything apart for His Word.
Could be from God. Might be from God. But only that which is His Word can be trusted in, absolutely.
Love the story about Walt Disney. If others don’t catch the vision, we’re sunk because one person can’t invest all that’s needed, have all the skills, talents, or gifts necessary to sustain and advance. Good encouragement! Thanks Bill.
Trust does not demand more than God has told us…and he has given us a very thick book where we can read story after story after story about how he rules for the good of his people.