Whose visions are you pursuing, yours or God’s?

by Minster Gail Adams

My all-time favorite version of Cinderella was the 1997 Walt Disney Feature starring Brandy Norwood as Cinderella and Paolo Montalban as the Prince. What I love most was the musical numbers. One in particular that stood out for me was, "In My Own Little Corner" sung by Brandy. “In my own little corner in my own little chair I can be whatever I want to be.” In the movie we see Brandy’s pretend play, envisioning herself to be something she wasn’t.

In the bible there are several verses that speaks about having a vision”. The verse that is most often quoted by spiritual leaders and lay persons is: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) It is by far, the most sought after verse when pastors want to expand their churches. You don’t know how many times I’ve heard pastors quote this verse to seduce and convince the congregation for donations to secure a down payment required by bank before lending money to finance excessive building projects or to solicit donations for various church projects or as opening verse teaching God desire members to be prosperous.

In the same way, many believers strongly rely on this verse for wealth and success. Get the vision, name it, claim it, write it down, confess it daily, and post it around your home they say. We have many saints sitting in their own little corners, in their own little chairs envisioning themselves to be this or that, demanding that God make it so. It put me in mind of the former Burger King jingle, “Have it your way". Remember that?

Not surprising, this scripture is up there with those that many abuse, misuse, and take out of context. Just a little vision, God will do it, like a little dab will do it. AAUGH, Lord, save us from such erroneous beliefs and vain use of your sacred word. All pretend play is not good. In other words, setting one’s mind and heart on a desired future outcome contrary to scripture, jeopardizes your salvation. When it comes to Christianity having visions or setting goals based on improper use of verses is not good.

You know the Proverbs are unique in that they do not usually have context. Most sayings are standalone verses or consist of 1 or 2 verses on the topic. This is why for a long time I thought, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18) was the complete verse. In other words, spiritual leaders and layman have been quoting, preaching and teaching on only of half this verse.

What does that tell us? People in pretentiousness, have made this scripture to be whatever they want it be. A little pretentiousness in the right format can be good, such as children pretending to be something to construct learning or perhaps in marriage where couples pretend play to keep the embers bright. However, in Christianity, 😔pretend play visions are not good😔 when half of a passage of a scripture is deliberately omitted to support visions of entitlement to be whatever one wishes to be, contrary to what Jesus taught.

You ask, What misleading pretentious belief is translated to this particular Proverb? Let’s read it in its entirety to find out. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. King James Version (KJV). Oh My God! wh - wh - wh - What - What? 😵 Keepeth the Law! Now we see why this part is omitted. Notice, the complete verse does not in the least bit suggest or even hint about setting goals, success, or wealth. Matter of fact, the word vision in the context of this verse is not referencing material things but speak about the results of respecting boundaries and following rules.

If we swap out the word vision and insert the word law, it would read, “Where there is no law the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” That is what it means whether you swap out the word or not. Here are some parallels or equivalents to this verse:

(1) Matthew 7:24 -- Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (2) Luke 11:28 -- But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (3) Psalm 1:2 -- But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (4) Romans 2:13 -- For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. (5) James 1:23 -- For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: or he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

The only goals or visions that count in the Christian life are those where: we pursue God’s vision to keep his laws given to us by Christ. (Parallel verses 1-4) Where we pursue God’s vision to save lost souls. Go into the world preaching the Gospel of His Kingdom (Matthew 24:14). Where we purse God’s vision to be shining glorifying lights. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

God is not against you having things. However, the Gospel is not about demanding God to let you be whatever you want to be instead of what he wants you to be according to his word. God has a divine plan and destiny set up for our life and it surpasses temporary visions of earthly wealth and success. Jesus tells us not to pursue wealth in vain. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”(Matthew 6:19-20).

When you first got saved you told God, wherever you take me I will go, whatever you give me I will give thanks and I will live my life for you along? If you really mean it, then come out of your little corner and chair, denying self and take up your cross and follow Jesus’ Gospel. If you follow God’s vision for your life: You may end up poor and needy. "For the poor will never cease to be in the land;” (Deuteronomy 15:11). You may have more bad days than good days. “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33). You may have more people disliking you than liking you. “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first” (John 15:18). Will you still follow his word to be whatever he wants you to be? Or will you play pretend, twisting scriptures to be whatever you want to be?

Christians in 2017, let us all purpose this year to stop enthusiastically (perverting Scripture) or twist the Scriptures in our efforts to make it a part of our pretend play contrary to the Lord's Great Commission directive. To keep yourself in check, always ask yourself, “Whose visions am I pursuing, mine or God’s?"

My prayer always is that we continue to grow in grace, truth, wisdom and walk in love towards one another. Help others benefit from this truth by sharing this message! God bless you.

Copyright: Pamela Johnson, Gail Adams, Beaute Naturelle