HEARTLIGHT ® Magazine: Leading in Hope: "Vision in Leadership"

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ll the Bible. When he was called by God out of his comfortable homeland in Ur to a land and people not yet known to him except in Divine promise, he was given a great vision of what God was going to bring to pass through him. It was a vision Abraham needed to germinate in his mind and spirit. He needed to see with hope beyond each plodding footstep. With his faith invigorated by a great vision as a people more numerous than the sands of the seashore, Abraham was empowered not only to make this great pilgrimage himself, but to father a nation and be a mighty leader.

Vision — an idea greater than the present.

We can only begin to imagine the strength of mind and resolve required by Jesus to go to the cross and there suffer and die. But we are not left without valuable insight into the power invigorating his faith and leadership. I say leadership, because He is the head of the body, which is the Church, and we are each one called to take up our cross and follow after Him. Jesus was not just a cross bearer, but the leader of the myriad of cross bearers He calls to follow Him into the Father’s joyful presence.

Paul informs us of Christ, “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.” Here is a glimpse into the vision of Christ. He saw not only the momentary afflictions He was to face, but also He was able to look ahead — to see into heaven and the joy awaiting Him there. With that vision, He was empowered to take up His own cross, and to lead us to take up our crosses and follow in His footsteps into the blessings of heaven and the joy of our Lord waiting there.

Conversely, a lack of such vision hinders leadership and handicaps the people. When the children of Israel first spied out the Promised Land, ten of the twelve spies had no vision beyond the temporal. They saw only substantial earthly enemies. Their vision was not large enough to encompass the innumerable host of heaven that God could bring to bear on their behalf. With such a limited vision, they were doomed to the wilderness wanderings. Peter fell into the same limited vision when he was walking to Jesus on the water. When his vision left the power of the Lord and focussed on the dangers at hand, he sank!

What, then, are the lessons for the leaders of God’s people today?

First, get to the high ground.
Move up to God’s perspective. See the world through Christ-like eyes. It is only from such a vantagepoint that one may ever hope to catch a glimpse of the Divine way opened for humanity through Christ.

Second, see where God wants His people to go.
Imagine what He has in store for those who love and honor Him. Such a vision is empowering. Such a vision, when it enters your spiritual eyes will cause your countenance to radiate hope and resolve, enticing others to follow in your example. Without such a vision, you will perish and take those following you to destruction as well.

Third, give your new vision substance.
Take up your cross and walk. Obey what God has called you to do with your life and do it as the thing in which your renewed heart delights. With a guiding vision, Christian service may be arduous and filled with troubles, but it is now more joy than duty. You see beyond the task through to the joy! The “task at hand” is not nearly as important as the “hand at the task” if you allow vision to see yourself hand in hand with Christ carrying the cross to victory.

Get to higher ground, see where God wants his people to go, and give your vision substance. If you do, you’ll be a leader who can take God’s people where He would have them go.

We look not here on mountains tall
But watch in faith their stature fall
Into the sea by mustard fields
And know the power vision yields.