WHAT CAN YOU SEE?

Do you ever look up at the stars on a clear night? What can you see?

The Bible has a lot to say about "seeing."  Here's a verse: “Without a vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Somewhere I read that when we are without a vision, it opens the door for confusion to enter into our thinking. The Message and The Voice translations show different adverse effects of living without a vision. 

If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed (The Message). 

Where there is no vision from God, the people run wild, but those who adhere to God's instruction know genuine happiness (The Voice). 

I have a different understanding of this verse now at age 74 than I had a few years ago. I used to focus on the word “vision”; something that was far off in the future, yet something hopeful and anticipated.  Today the word “perish” comes to the forefront, because I know that when I lose sight of “heaven on earth” and the promise that “our God reigns,” my negative emotions try to take control. Once that happens, I’m headed down a dangerous path.  Also, at my age, it would be easy to say to myself, “You’ve done your part—just quit” or to listen to a mocking voice that says, “Are you kidding? Are you still dreaming about the future?” 

Needing a vision isn’t just for myself or to make me feel good. Chuck Pierce writes, “One of the primary reasons God allows us to see into the future is for the benefit of the generations who are arising…The vision of God—which we all need—always has a divine purpose.”*

I’m reminded of Hudson Taylor’s prophetic vision of a revival coming to Russia.  Taylor, a missionary to China and founder of the China Inland Mission in the 1800’s, has gone on to glory, but his vision continues to give hope to those who came after him.  

So…my question is, “What can you see?” 

*God's Unfolding Battle Plan, Chuck Pierce

For information about the Spiral Galaxy M74 image, visit: http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2007/41/image/a/