Vision speak is everywhere. I have read more books on vision in the past five years than I did in the first 25 years of ministry. Whether it is a political leader speaking about what they will do for the country, a church leader telling the church where it needs to be, or an organizational leader framing a new direction for his/her organization, everyone is looking for someone who can point toward the preferred future and has the clarity of mind and leadership ability to lead the organization there. The verse that has been disproportionately quoted is “without vision the people perish.” In fact, most don’t know where that verse is located. For posterity, it is Proverbs 29:18. However, that is not likely even the best translation of those words. Perhaps better is “without divine guidance the people perish.” That changes the usefulness of the verse in many books, so the King James rendering is still the preferred rendering even for those who do not use the King James translation for most reading. But, remove the classic statement and one would leave Biblical vision speak a little gutted in the Biblical texts available for the conversation.
If I might be so bold, I would like to take the greater emphasis in Scripture as to what causes people to perish. The Bible, through and through clearly infers, “without Jesus the people perish.” It is actually sin that causes people to perish. The atonement of Jesus Christ is that which deals with the sin. That just does not get nearly enough play among many leaders. Let’s face it. Leaders can move people in any direction. But, if that direction does not lead us closer to our Lord and Savior, then whatever future people are being led toward, it is not preferred. Trust me. It cannot be a preferred future.
You see, long before I had read one book on vision, I had read many on Jesus. Long before I clearly understood what it meant to have a clear vision for the church, I had a clear understanding of the importance of people knowing Christ in order to be part of the church. I had a clear understanding of the importance of being forgiven, telling others about how I received the life that I possessed and helping people grow-up in Christ. That may or may not be what others describe as vision. But, it is what I believe to be abundant life. And, I’ll take abundant life over an impressive vision any time.
My primary appeal to leaders is the same appeal I make to all others (since before vision books were the rage) and remind myself frequently. Know Christ. Seek God first. Consider everything else as rubbish. Be reconciled to God. Confess your sin openly to Him. Set your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
I am not saying that vision is a ruse or a distraction. I am not trying to indicate that a leader should have no clue where they are going or where they are leading the people. Vision is a very, very good thing. However, I am saying that many times the talk about vision leaves Jesus out, or on the periphery at best. Many times vision conversations miss the most clearly important component of life. Sometimes they are consumed with building a great organization or a great life. Yet oddly, it is difficult to find a Savior in that conversation. But, “without Jesus, the people perish.” We can only lead people closer to the one with whom we are close. We should only point people in the direction where we have found God. A good vision is spoiled if Christ is not the destination and Him who fills the visionary. A bad vision is somehow saved if the destination is Christ for everyone in the organization and the visionary himself/herself draws closer to Christ.