Casting Vision
Casting vision, is perhaps the most grueling, taxing, heavy, and numbing process known to the human race. The old saying tells us not to fix stuff that isn’t broken, but that isn’t accurate at all. I for one am grateful for the brilliant person that grew tired of cutting down trees with a sharp rock. Drinking water from the palm of my hand is great when I’m when rinsing the toothpaste out of my mouth… but daily? I don’t think so.
I enjoy reading through the Bible and hearing God’s story and His relationship with Israel. It seems that each time the Israelites sat back and accepted things for the way they were… they fell away from God. It’s easy to sit and do things the way they have always been done, but isn’t that the first stage of dying? When we become complacent and fail to continue pressing forward and casting vision, we die.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” – Proverbs 29:18
So who is looking ahead? Who among us has decided to live in the current moment while looking ahead? Are we searching out new ways to serve our neighbors? Too many of us remain chained to our recliners out of fear that we may lose our comfortable place in life.
Many complain that looking ahead and getting out of the comfort zone just speeds up life and leaves us fearful of missing the small moments. I would argue the opposite. Life blurs past us faster and faster when we disengage from casting vision and looking ahead. The mistake we make is thinking that “Life” is an all encompassing body of work that defines who we were after we are dead and gone. This is a sad existence. ”Life” is what happens with every breath we take. ”Life” is what happens when we engage in nature around us. ”Life” is what happens when we become a part of other people’s struggles and victories.
“Life” is where we find God, and He wants us to engage in every moment with Him so we can live it abundantly.
Each year during December, I spend time looking ahead. Frustration usually settles in deep if I haven’t challenged my comfort zones in the past year. I take a little time to slow down, take inventory, and identify those places in my life where I’m still chopping down trees with a sharp rock. How about you? Are you sitting in the recliner, waiting to die? Or are you casting vision and looking ahead at ways you can better serve God with your time, talents, and resources?
Live life today and live it abundantly.
Grace and Strength,
Greg Arnold
Acts 4:31
Welcome, and thanks for dragging yourself over to Live|Bold! My name is Greg Arnold and I am pumped to see you here. This interactive online community is here to point every man toward the cross. Whether you have been a follower of Christ for ages, or you are just stumbling into this strange new world of faith, we have something of value to offer you. This online e-zine is a cross between a blog, a social network, a resource center, and a pulpit. My hope is to inspire you to live your faith on the outside and be a real man for God. We need you in the fight. 
Comments
Greg,
I gave a message this past Sunday withbProv 29:18 as my starting point. My goal was to cast a vision for this new work in our area that we are starting with another family. Your article was reaffirming. Thanks for sharing.
Derek.
Great to hear! We cast vision, and must always remember that we are part of the larger vision. Keeping those lined up is where we find harmony in our pursuits.
I like your thoughts on Casting Vision! However, I do have a question about one of the books you recommend to the right of this article in your Live/Bold Book shelf….. “Jesus interuppted” ??? Here is an excerpt from a review of this book where they tell more about the author…
It seems odd for a Christian website to recommend a book written by a non-believer who is out spoken and openly refutes Jesus and His word….
“Who is this guy Bart Ehrman and why should we listen to him? He was raised as an evangelical, attended Moody Bible Institute, then went to Princeton Theological Seminary where he was first confronted with a historical-critical approach to the study of the Bible and began to question some of what he had learned as a child and young man. But he remained a Christian for at least a dozen years after he graduated, although he is now an agnostic.”
Thank you for the compliments! I have had some trouble trying to generate advertising revenue on my site to help support the hosting fees. I do try to evaluate the advertisers, but don’t always get 100% compliance from Amazon. I appreciate the input as I am not able to see the advertisements on a continual basis. I will remove the link as I don’t feel comfortable supporting agnostics.
On another hand… I do always welcome input and conversation from non-believers – as this is the example set by Christ. Intellectual debate among fellow believers is, however, fun.
Thanks again!
Grace and Strength,
Greg Arnold
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