Imagineering, Visioneering, Pioneering

My first time at a Disney theme park was in the summer of 1973.  My family took a vacation to the Florida resort that summer.  It was so exciting, as we rode the monorail from the parking area to the main entrance, the recorded voice welcoming us to the park and giving instructions.  As our train passed through the lobby of the Contemporary Resort Hotel, I was in awe of all that I was experiencing...and I wasn't even inside the theme park yet!

On that trip, and a subsequent one years later, we enjoyed experiences there that were mesmerizing to me as a kid, and even intriguing as an adult.  Experiences like Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion and Star Tours, were amazing.  It truly does feel like a magical place.

In recent years, I have enjoyed watching shows on the Disney Channel that show the behind-the-scenes view of how these theme parks were built.  When Walt Disney conceived of the idea of a magical place for kids and their families to come, he had to employ the designers, engineers and craftsmen that were needed to make his fantastical ideas become a "reality."  These creative experts became known as "Imagineers," as they were the engineers that were responsible for bringing the things of imagination to life.  Walt Disney...and others who followed...cast the vision of something that had never before been seen or experienced.  Their vision laid the foundation for the path of pioneering.  Pastor, speaker and author, Andy Stanley, coined another word in the realm of Christianity that refers to this process of moving from the intangible to the tangible... Visioneering.  (I mentioned this in a previous post about casting a vision, and the book that he wrote on the subject.)  Stanley defines visioneering as, "...the course one follows to make dreams a reality.  It is the process whereby ideas and convictions take on substance."  This is the way that a person who is living their purpose, develops the path that pioneers the way for their particular place in this world.  Even if the thing you are made for is not unique or never been done, it is a course of pioneering, of sorts, for you.  Vision is the thing that determines your trajectory, moving from the imagination of the dream to the reality of the fulfilling process of that dream, all in the context of the reality of God's plan.  Vision is where it begins.  Without it, you will be aimless and scattered in your life's path.  That is the power of vision.

In the Bible, vision refers to a prophetic communication from God to one of His prophets or apostles.  It is through visions that God often revealed His plans, words and laws.  This is why the oft-quoted passage on vision (Proverbs 29:18) says that a lack of vision will cause the people to become unruly and to run wild, due to a lack of divine restraint and guidance.  So, every Scripture passage that refers to vision, is referring to this type of communication.  Consequently, while you may not be a prophet or apostle, God can speak to His people to give direction for their lives.  He intends to do that for all followers who will humble themselves and seek His guidance.  While not divine revelation like the Scripture, this results in a "vision" for one's life that has divine direction and empowerment, enabling us to accomplish powerful things for God's glory.  That is the whole idea of Purposed365.  Consider these biblical principles:​

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see...And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 
​Hebrews 11:1, 6

A Quick Biblical Overview of Vision (Unexhaustive)

1. (Proverbs 3:5-6)  Having a vision for your life begins with seeking God.  It makes sense that the One who has created us and knows everything about us, knows how we can best find fulfillment and purpose.  Trust in Him, realize you can't figure it out all on your own, seek His direction, and He will give you a vision for the purpose you're intended to pursue...the perfect fit!
2. (Jeremiah 29:11)  God has a plan and it is good!  His desire is to prosper you and provide good for you.  His plan will guarantee you a hopeful future that is filled with the amazing things He has in store (1 Corinthians 2:9).
3. (1 Corinthians 2:14)  A purposed life for the follower of Christ, is one that is filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, understanding what that purpose is...having a vision for the plan that God has designed...is only understandable through the discernment that the Holy Spirit provides.
4. (2 Corinthians 4:18)  While we live in a very earth-centric, materialistic and empirically-based culture, one quickly comes to understand that, for the follower of Christ, what we see, smell, taste and touch in this world, is not all that exists.  As a matter of fact, that which is lasting...eternal...is only what we cannot currently see.  Everything we experience here with our five senses will one day be destroyed.  It is only that which we have yet to see that will last forever.  What does this have to do with our vision for life?  Vision that is founded in the purposes of God makes it one that ultimately seeks to make an eternal difference in the lives of people.  That is the most satisfying life a follower of Christ can ever hope for.
5. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)   Faith is a fundamental element of our relationship with God.  We have never seen the Father...no human being has, this side of heaven.  Jesus is the manifestation of the Father on earth as he came as Emmanuel..."God with us."   Without faith, we cannot have a relationship with our Redeemer.  Without faith, we cannot live in a way that is pleasing to our God.  So, it only stands to reason that living a life of purpose requires that we have a vision that is founded in our faith in Jesus Christ.  Stepping out in pursuit of a God-given vision means stepping out in faith.  The good news is, God rewards those who live by faith.  Just ask the patriarch Abraham and the many followers of God who came before him and have come since.  Vision requires faith, but faith brings reward...from the greatest rewarder of all...God!

This week's Purposed365 Podcast episode is a powerful interview with Vincent "V-Mac" McDonald, Jr.  A singer, producer, entertainment mogul, motivational speaker and philanthropist, Vincent shares his story of how his vision has become an ongoing reality, starting at a very young age in the Bahamas.  Be sure to listen to the episode after reading this post, for the full impact of our theme of VISION this week.

To wrap up this post, I want to highlight a quote that Vincent shares in his interview, from Dr. Myles Munroe, evangelist and author.  He told Vincent, "Sight shows you what is and vision shows you what could be."  While a simple statement, it is at the crux of our understanding of what vision is to us as we live a purposed life.  You can live your life based upon what you see...what is in the moment.  This is safe, it is easy, but it is not going to open the door to the great potential that lies in the vision that God has for you.  Vision may require risk.  It may mean you have to step out of your comfort zone.  Vision will require that you live by faith.  But, one thing is for sure...only living out a God-given vision will produce eternal results for you and all of those your path encounters along the way.

Can you put down on paper a vision for your life?  What does it look like?  Maybe the first step is just to start with a statement that is general and then begin to seek God's direction to narrow it.  Share your thoughts in the comments!  If you like our posts, please LIKE and SHARE so that others will join the community!