5 Ways to Keep Vision Burning Hot (and Avoid Giving Up)
Quitting is not altogether bad. There are some things we need to quit. Often, though, we need to persevere. The temptation to “give up and go home” is common, particularly in the first four years of missionary life. The same is true when working on a new vision. Remain steady, knowing God called you to that place or work. Your vision, passion, and focus can remain fire-hot through difficult seasons.
Tending Our Fires
Last week, I went away to a cabin in the woods. It was cold. I often built a fire in the beautiful fireplace. Building the fire was fun. It was exciting to light the paper and watch it burst into flame. After an hour or two, it needed tending. I needed to add more wood, stir it up a bit, and blow on it. Our calling and vision are not different. Without tending, vision dies down. This is true even when the vision was placed in our heart by God Himself.
I recommend five practices that add fuel to the flame of vision. Whether you are a classic visionary or are following a vision someone else shared, these practices will help. You can stay passionate and focused on the things God has called you to do.
Would They Stay?
In our work as mission leaders, we often had the privilege (and responsibility) of welcoming new field workers. We’d give them orientation, help them settle into their new homes, and get them set up with language helpers. I confess I didn’t always put much weight on the vision and dreams of new field workers. First I wanted to see if they had what it takes to stay for the long haul. Then, I was far more likely to listen to and support their dreams.
One young family came to the field full of passion. Energetic and excited, they were ready to dive in to saving the lost and feeding the poor. I got excited when they shared their vision. Their enthusiasm was contagious.
“I sure hope these guys stick!” I thought. I’d seen many people come and go. They’d arrive with a vision that would take years to accomplish. Two or three months in, or even a year or so later, suddenly, their vision changed. They now felt called to return to their home country. Would this new family be different? I hoped so!
They’d spend many months raising their funds to get there. Donors had contributed sacrificially. They too had made significant efforts working overtime and selling off things they owned. Now, they had arrived. Time would tell whether they would stay.
I wish I’d known then, what I know now. These five keys to keeping your vision alive are something I would have shared with them. Sadly, six months later, discouraged and disillusioned, they boarded a flight and returned to their home country. Soon others would come and the unfortunate cycle would begin again.
Missionary attrition can be avoided. It does take work. Vision does not need to die. You don’t need to quit and go home.
“Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’? Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled.
Ezekiel 12:22-23 NIV.
5 Ways to Keep Your Vision and Focus Alive
1. Frequently reflect on your original call to that ministry or place.
In my YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) many years ago, a speaker taught us about how to hear God’s voice. I remember something he said.
“When you don’t hear anything from God, go back to the last thing you heard Him say. Simply remind yourself of that. Keep doing that thing until He speaks again.”
It was good advice.
I often re-read journals and things I’ve write down that God spoke to me. These are a rich source of vision nourishment. Re-reading prophetic words given you is also a way to throw fresh wood on the fire of your passion. Bill Johnson, of Bethel Redding, speaks about this. When is the last time you took the time to remember what God spoke to you when you first heard His calling to this ministry?
2. Keep the main thing, the main thing.
Conflicts, meetings, daily life tasks, social media and email, all threaten to pull us away from our calling. Keep your vision in front of you. Write it out. Put it on your desk, refridgerator door or bathroom mirror. Some place where you will see it often. Remember that those other things, while sometimes necessary, are not the main thing.
I read a meme recently that said “If it is not going to matter 5 years from now, don’t invest more than 5 minutes worrying about it.” Don’t invest energy and emotion in the things that don’t matter. Give yourself to taking concrete steps and to activities that move you forward in what you are called by God to do.
3. Regularly check your activities in comparison with your call (vision).
Does your current task contribute to that vision? A high percentage of your activities should be related to the “main thing” God has called you to. If not, you will start to feel burned out and your original vision will grow cold.
It is okay to say no to other things not related to your unique calling. Without devoting a significant amount of time doing what you feel called to do, vision will wither. Some organizations give more freedom in this area than others.
If you find that you are expected to give the majority of your time to things you don’t feel called to do, make an appointment with your supervisor. Renegotiate your job description. Let them know how you are feeling.
Don’t wait until you have lost your vision entirely. Take action now to give more of your time to what matters most.
4. Surround yourself with other like-minded visionaries.
We become like those we spend time with. Do you invest time in relationships with others who share your passion and dream? With people of faith, who are already doing more than you are in that area?
When I am around others who share my passion and dreams, it pours kerosene on my vision fire. I start to get new ideas and become creative.
If you surround yourself with nay-sayers and those who with negative mindsets, your vision will grow dim.
5. Get away to pray and listen to God often.
This seems obvious but needs saying. Jesus, in the midst of His busy ministry, took time away to be with His Father. It was there that He gained strength, hope, and was renewed. Don’t consider it a vacation. Retreats and sabbaths are crucial to keeping your vision burning and to stay focused on the things God has spoken to you.
What will you do this week to fan the flame of your God-given dream?
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