Three Attributes of Effective Vision | Dreams & Visions Bonus Content
In the series Visions & Dream, we are talking about the Apostle Peter quoting the Prophet Joel saying, “[NKJV] Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
On Sunday, June 5, 2022, we talked about the young men seeing visions. You can access that teaching on podcast or video via Facebook, YouTube, or fivelakes.church.
We learned that this language is male-specific. It’s not that women can’t receive vision from the Lord; In fact, Joel said that generations of both men & women would prophesy – or repeat what they heard [prophets don’t create prophecy, but repeat what they’ve heard].
In this prophecy, Joel & Peter are calling out that this is part of the expected experience of Godly men. The information I’m sharing in this video applies to both men & women.
What is vision?
Vision is the ability to wisely consider and plan for the future.
[ESV] Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
ESV uses the word ‘prophetic,’ clarifying the meaning of vision; It’s a vision connected to things of God; Not a selfish vision but rather a God-sized/focused vision. When vision is lost, restraint is lost. Vision = restraint.
There are effective visions and ineffective visions.
Three Attributes of Effective Vision:
- Connects with your creation: The resources needed to complete the vision are ones you either currently possess or can gain with effort over time.
If your vision = be a NFL lineman & you look like me – it is not an effective vision – so adjust your vision. It doesn’t mean you must have the resources right now [strength, relationships, knowledge, money, etc.]. It DOES mean you must be able to gain them over time.
- Strength – exercise
- Relationships – networking & being the kind of friend you desire to have
- Knowledge – school or training programs/apprenticeships
- Money – savings, loans, investors or other access to capital
If the vision connects with your creation, then you have the God-given ability to rise to the levels needed to see your vision come to pass.
2 Greater than the obstacle: your attraction to the vision must be greater than your fear of the resistance.
It must be strong enough to push you to overcome the obstacles. A typical motivational technique is to put a reward at the end of the effort. It may be ice cream, the possibility of a date, feeling/looking good after exercise, or a raise/promotion – the promised reward focuses effort.
The same is true when refusing things that hurt the vision. When wanting to do wrong (steal), hurt another (abuse/kill), lash out angrily (physically/etc.) the vision for something greater restrains them.
If your attraction to the vision is greater than your fear of resistance, it will consistently move you toward completing the vision.
3. Achievable within one’s lifetime: you see the end from the beginning.
The vision of a young man references things you have the time needed to accomplish the goal. In another lesson, we will explore the dreams of the old men – these are things that extend beyond our lifetime into our legacy.
A vision has defined parameters, methods explored, & timelines set. Neither the parameters nor the specifics of the vision are set in stone/unchangeable. The direction and desired general destination is solid. It’s the realm of young men.
If your vision is God-focused or self-focused, these three things will differentiate an effective vision from an ineffective one. In our next supplemental video, I’ll talk about 4 Attributes of a vision that God gives.