In the last Daily Cultivation we talked about how frustration arises when we don’t have clarity about who we are, why we are, and where we are going. The three stages of process that without clarity, create frustration are:
1: No vision – no picture or idea for the future
2: Vision but no plan – A picture of the future but don’t have any details on how to get there
3: Vision and a plan but no action – A picture of the future and some details but haven’t committed to the journey.
Proverbs 29:18 says:
“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”
Where there is no revelation, no knowledge, no picture to work off of, no vision, people cast off restraint. Restraint is self discipline, perseverance, focus, holding a course. Without vision people cast off restraint. If there is no destination there is no reason to hold a course. Vision and revelation become the “reason” you take action, the reason you hold, maintain and sustain focus. With vision, there is a desired end you are chasing after.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.“
You don’t participate in a race by accident, you make a choice. The desire to participate in the race is the reason for action. Desire comes from an idea/revelation. Revelation means to unveil, which means that you can see something you couldn’t see before but was always there.
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.” First there is a reason, desire and a choice to compete. Second you develop the strategy to win. If you want to win you must create a plan for action that will produce the results necessary to accomplish your goal, desire, aim and destination.
First there is a vision. Second there is a plan to fulfill the vision. Third there is action taken to flesh out your plan. Vision and strategy are only useful if you use them. Vision and strategy are potential – untapped, yet to be realized ability. Action creates the realization of the potential. Action takes the invisible idea in your mind and pulls it into the visible.