When you get up in the morning, do you ever stop and ask yourself, “Why am I getting up today?” It is easy to fall into a routine that is seldom questioned. We have to eat, so we go to work, but do we think more deeply about it? “What am I getting up to accomplish this morning? What will I do today that will move me closer towards the vision I have for my life? I get the sense that many of us do not take the time to pray, ponder and write down a vision statement for our lives. Many Christians are familiar with the verse from Proverbs that reads, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). If we choose to float through life, we will get from start to finish without using our gifts and talents to the fullest. We will also reach a time in our lives when we regret not using the time we were given more effectively. We have to have a vision so we know what we are moving towards, so we have direction, and so our lives will make a significant mark on the world.
So, you want to know how to create a vision statement for your life? A vision statement for your life is a short, concise, powerful statement that gets to the heart of what you are about and what you will spend your life pursuing. Because of this, it is important to write your life’s vision statement before marriage. If you have no vision and then you marry, either the two of you will float together towards insignificant things, or one of you will capture a vision that the other may not have any interest in pursuing. Men, before choosing a mate, you need to know what kind of a help mate you will need. Ladies, before accepting a man’s proposal, you need to know if your gifts, talents, and passions are pointed in the same direction as his vision.
Can two people be married with different visions? Yes, it happens every day; however, couples who have a joint vision for life can accomplish so much more as a team then two people who pull away from each other to pursue different goals. A marriage without a shared vision will not be nearly as effective. “One can put a thousand to flight and two can put ten thousand” (Deuteronomy 32:30). The question must also be raised that if a man and woman are pursuing different things to the exclusion of the other, are Biblical roles for husbands and wives being followed?
Writing a vision statement sounds so simple until it’s time to do it. The blank, white page is likely to mock you if you plan to just sit down and have your entire life’s path come to you in a matter of minutes – you’ll need to be in some prayer for this one. A vision statement should be about twelve words or less, very memorable for you, and an outcome or end-result. Just to give an example, here is a vision: To prepare a million premarital couples for enduring, culture-changing Christian marriages. It is quite short, direct, specific, and focused.
Have you given any thought to your life’s vision before today? If not, I would urge you to spend some quiet time praying and considering what you want to accomplish in your life. What mark(s) do you want to leave on this world? It is very important to write your vision statement, otherwise, it is just a fleeting idea. It needs to be something you can look at – and even recite – every day as a reminder of why you’re on this planet and what you are here to do.
Daniel Harkavy, author of Becoming a Coaching Leader, said the following about having a vision: “Vision defines what you stand for, why you exist, and who your team – or you – will become.” There will be no greater player on your team than your spouse and the vision you receive after prayer and reflection will give you great insight on what to look for in a spouse.
What is the vision statement for your life? Write it below in the comments! Also comment below if you have questions regarding how to craft your vision on paper.
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