THE POWER OF A VISION BY UGWAK O CROSKY

KEY CHAPTER: PROVERBS 29:18

1.AMP (Amplified) Bible- “Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people
perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man] blessed (happy, fortunate and
enviable) is he”.
2. KJV- “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he”.
3. New American Standard Bible- “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is
he who keeps the law”.
A. INTRODUCTION
The message of a vision is very key and pertinent to an individual, group or an organization and entity.
The writer of Proverbs spells out clearly that without this essential thing called vision, an individual,
group or an organization is doomed. It shall perish.
This message is very important more so during this time in Zimbabwe, S. Sudan my country, Africa
and the whole world where the economy is crumbling and there is much despondency, discouragement
and hopelessness.
I believe that this message shall again ignite a new passion, purpose and hope to young, aspiring and
energetic individuals like all of us in here.
B. DEFINITION OF VISION
1. A vision is a clear picture of what the leader or person sees themselves doing someday (in future).
2. It is the art of seeing things invisible!
3. Vision is the “dominant factor that governs your life. It determines all the choices you make, it is
what your prayers are about, it is where your money and time goes”.
4.In Hebrew the word vision is derived from the word CHAZON which always signifies a means of
divine revelation or sight(mentally) that is a dream, revelation or oracle.
5. A “Vision” is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants and
is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self and circumstances.
Based on this definition, there are three aspect of vision.
-1. God- Your vision comes from God, it is not something you thought overnight.
-2. Self- Your priorities and spiritual gifts will help you focus on your vision.
-3. Circumstances -Your vision begins where you are now; so, you must face and solve your problems
and then overcome the barriers to fulfil your dreams.
6. To “envision” means to see ahead or conceive something your heart desires.

Unveiling the power of a vision by OCrosky ugwakmasimo@gmail.com

  A vision is a mental view or image of something good and worthwhile which is not yet actually
present.
 To “envision’ means to imagine, plan beforehand, or consider the possibilities.
C. TWO MAIN TYPES OF VISION.
 Personal vision and Corporate vision
1. PERSONAL VISION is basically a vision of an individual.
 What your personal vision should involve/consists of.
1. Your personal vision must grow out of Biblical principles.
2. Your vision will reflect your walk with God. Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart,
so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
3. Your vision must grip your soul. As you search for life’s purpose, your vision will grow in
your heart and soul. As you search God, He will vividly show you His plan for your life.
4. Your vision may involve inevitable CHANGE which most people don’t want to and you
will be greatly opposed. -If you always do, what you have always done, you will always be
where you have always been. So be ready to face people who will destructively criticize
you!
5. Your vision must not be hindered by your present weaknesses and limitations.
 The Bible is filled with stories ordinary men of faith in difficult situations, with
limited resources, against impossible odds, who prevailed and did some great things.
-Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
-2Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge,
that if one died for all, then were all dead:
 God used the ordinary people and He turned them into an extraordinary men and
women.
1. Your vision must be so great and seemingly impossible that it calls for supernatural help
from God. Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be
against us? Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:21 Unto him
be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
2. Your vision must include the price you’ll be paying and the earthly things you’ll be losing
to reach it.
o Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

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 o Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

 IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL VISION

1. Your vision gives purpose and adds meaning to your life.

o Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
While it is true that you won’t accomplish all your personal dreams, having a vision will at
least help you realize some of the things you want to do for the glory of God. Note that a true
vision cannot be self-serving or self-centered! For the sake of Christ, my parents, siblings and
other dependents, I came to NUST.
1. Your vision will help you have a sense of direction and fulfillment. When you put yourself
in advance to the future, you will be energized by your dreams.
o Romans 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father
of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. -In spite
of hardships, you will possess joy, peace and hope as you press towards your goals.
o Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a
man seeth, why doth he yet hopes for?
1. Your vision will help you endure and sacrifice to make your dream come true. Great
achievements are born out of great sacrifices. No pain, No gain! No Guts, No Glory!
Almost to any accomplishment in history of the world has come at the hands of people who
have taken risk, people who are willing to push the envelope, people who are willing to
explore the unknowns. Even in the Bible there who held up as heroes are not the one who
were sitting in their tents under a tree.
o Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before, Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus.

1. CORPORATE VISION. Refers to a vision of an organization or a given group of people. (church,

gilds, cities and even countries).
David Goetz wrote, “In leadership’s study, however, pastors indicated that conflicting visions
for the church was their greatest source of tension and the top reason they were terminated or
forced to resign.” Clearly vision is of utmost importance to leaders and their ministry. Here are
seven reasons why corporate vision is essential and important.
1. Corporate vision encourages unity.
In a ministry, a shared vision changes and strengthens people’s relationship to one another.
When a leader casts a vision in a church, it’s no longer “their church” it becomes “our
church”
The church’s vision encourages and allows people to come together and work together.
It creates a common identity in two ways. First, it signals to all where the church/ministry is
going. If you want to go where we are going, then climb/get on board -let go together.
Second, it fosters the retention and congregants and staff.

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 A common vision says that we are working together in order to accomplish the same goals.
We therefore need each other if anything significant is going to happen for Christ.
o 1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 1Co 12:21 And the eye
cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have
no need of you. 1Co 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem
to be more feeble, are necessary:
o Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly
joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the
effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love.
1. A corporate vision creates energy.
Not much happens without an inspiring and compelling vision. Not much was happening in
Nehemiah’s days. The people had no vision. Jerusalem lay in ruins and no one was
motivated to do anything about it. Nehemiah 1:3 And they said unto me, the remnant that
are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of
Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
Then along came Nehemiah with a vision from God to rebuild the gates and walls of the
city. Visions are exciting and they energize people. They strike spark -the excitement that
lifts a church/organization out of mundane. A vision from God has a potential to turn a
maintenance mentality into a church/ministry mentality and when your vision resonates
with your values and mission, it generates the energy that fuels the accomplishment of the
church/ministry tasks.
2. Corporate vision provides a purpose for life.
The right vision creates meaning in people’s lives. It gives them a sense of divine purpose in
life. They’re a part of something great that God is accomplishing at this time and place in
history.
With a shared vision, people see themselves not just as another congregant or a “pew
warmer”, but as a vital part of a church that is having a powerful impact on a lost and dying
world. They are not simply in a church, they’re on a mission. They’re part of a revolution
that has the potential to change the world, to have a wonderful impact for Christ.
For example, a wide gap exists in terms of commitment and dedication to God and a sense
of personal significance between one member who, when asked what he or she does, replies
“I’m a teacher” and another who may have the same ministry, but answers “I’m changing
the life of class of adolescents who will someday accomplish great things for Christ.”
3. A corporate vision fosters risk taking.
A shared vision fosters risk taking by a congregation. This is true especially in church
planting situations. When the point person or the leader casts the vision, everyone knows
what needs to be done. That is not the question. The question is, how will we do it?
Sometimes we know the answer, but most often we don’t. Consequently, a church/ministry
for Christ becomes an exciting adventure into the world of unknown.
They all know that no guarantees exist, yet people ae committed anyway. The risks are
great, but so is the God they serve and the vision He has given them.

4. A corporate vision enhances leadership.

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 Developing a vision and then living it vigorously are essential elements of leadership. I
define a leader as a Godly servant who knows where he or she is going and has followers.
That describes not only the savior but His disciples and those who ministered in the early
church as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Godly servants are people who display
Christ-like characters throughout the ministry organization. They exhibit the fruit/virtues of
the Spirit, given in Galatians 5:22-23 -Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law. They know where they are going and where they are leading the church.
They have a dynamic mission and most important, a clear, energizing vision that paints a
picture of the future.

5. A corporate vision promotes Excellence.

God desires His church minister/leaders and serve well on His behalf. This calls for ministry
excellence. Whatever we do for Christ must be done well not sloppily and haphazardly. In
the old testament, God required that people give their best when they brought animals and
sacrifice. Lev 22:20 But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be
acceptable for you.
Lev 22:21 And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to
accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be
accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.
Lev 22:22 Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not
offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the
LORD. This was an excellence in worship.
In the new testament, Paul explains that God expects us to put forth our best efforts in our
work. He says to perform as if we were working for Him. Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do,
do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye
serve the Lord Christ. This is excellence.

6. Corporate vision sustains church.

Church can be very difficult and painful. Discouragement and disagreement often lurk in the
church and boardrooms of that particular church. It’s not beyond the enemy to incite
persecution against Christ’s church. Act 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at
that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they
were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the
apostles.
 DANGERS OF LACKING A VISION
When a given church, group, guild, organization lacks a vision, it causes people to perish. The word
perish originates form Hebrew word “para” which means the followings.
1) Para means unbridled, uncontrolled or unrestrained.
Where there’s no vision, we’re like horses without a bridle or a car without a steering wheel or
brakes, out of control and is destined/headed for disaster. A bridle allows the rider of the horse
to control its great strength and ability, making these things work for him not against him. An
out of control horse is not only unproductive but also, it’s dangerous and destructive. A vision

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 keeps us moving in the right direction. Dreams not only steers us, they also provide restraint.
Where there’s no vision, people are unrestrained.
2) Para also means naked.
This concept is often figurative, referring to one that’s uncovered or unprotected, whether
physically, emotionally or spiritually. This literally means that “exposed”. Where there’s no
vision, people are unprotected and vulnerable to wrong choices, compromise and distractions
that waste resources (time and energy + money). For instance, a vision of a partner saving
herself/himself sexually for their spouse can protect a young person from sexual compromises.
3) Para means unready or unprepared
Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, in his analysis, says, it’s used to describe missing an opportunity by
letting it slip through the fingers. Where there’s no vision, opportunities will be missed. On the
other hand, focused vision produces alertness to opportunity. A person who dreams of
becoming wealthy through real estates will see building and land opportunities, others miss.
During the great depression, there were more millionaires created than in any other time in
history. Some see obstacles in economically hostile environment in countries like Zimbabwe
and South Sudan, but visionaries see possibilities! What do u see?
4) Para is to withdraw.
In the book of Exodus 5:4, para is used in the context of withdrawing from or being unwilling
to work. God motivates us to work for Him by giving us a vision, a vision to become a leader
in the church, father, catechist etc. There’s no greater motivator to hard work than a vision.
Where there’s no vision, people becomes unmotivated and lazy to work.
5) Para is rejecting counsel.
Where there’s no vision, people are unteachable. One who’s pursuing a vision is constantly
looking for new and fresh ideas to help them in their journey. They realize that “without
consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counsellors, they succeed” Pro 15:22 Without
counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Proverbs 20:18 tells us that “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice
make war.” The question now is, who is your mentor or coach??
6) Para means to let down or unbraided hair.
To unbraid is to separate or unravel. Where there’s no vision, people disconnect. Commonality
of course and vision, however brings people and their labor together. The early church
accomplished great things because they shared a common vision. Acts 2:44 And all that
believed were together, and had all things common.

Unveiling the power of a vision by OCrosky ugwakmasimo@gmail.com

Unveiling the power of a vision by OCrosky ugwakmasimo@gmail.com