Vision is such a huge word. I mean it is short in length but amazing in impact. This summer so far beyond my reading I have been asking God for vision like never before. Vision that blows my mind. Vision that is only possible by the power of God blowing up the campus of FSU. I usually absolutely hate the planning process that comes with the summer but for some miraculous reason God has really given me a passion for planning and preparation this summer. I am beginning to see the importance of preparation. What we do this summer prayerfully and on paper will have a huge impact on what happens this fall. This truth is become and more real to me. As it becomes real it is becoming freeing. I remember in my most “charismatic” days I never really believed in planning. I just thought to myself well God is gonna do it all supernaturally. My plans are so small and God’s plans are so much bigger so I am just gonna pray and wait and see what God does. Over the years God has beat this out of me the hard way. There have literally been years of catch and reaction as God has done some amazing things at CCF. Along the way though as were in this state of reaction I wore myself out and missed countless ministry opportunities because I was too busy trying to get a head. My time had a hold of me versus me having a hold of my time. Not only did this slothfulness lead to exhaustion and missed opportunity but God also began to convict me of how I was being a horrible steward of resources such as people, gifts, money and time. I was expecting God to do the supernatural when I wasn’t even willing to work in the natural. Can you say “OUCH!” I was asking God to bless a lazy poor steward in the midst of opportunity. Every sermon I had ever heard on excellence, planning and preparation was now becoming a life lesson. I distinctly remember a leadership conference where Andy Stanley explained how young ministers hate the thought of systems and structures but the greatest truth is that a system actually frees you up for ministry. Yes, order, structure, planning, prayer frees me up for ministry. Some how I got on a tangent..
Okay back to where I started. Vision. These next three weeks are huge at CCF as a bigger staff begin to go over our vision, mission, purpose and action plan. In the past this would bore me because I saw this as more talk without action but this summer is different. There is an anticipation in my spirit like never before. Does that God is gonna blow up FSU and grow His kingdom by leaps and bounds? Well I hope so. Either way no matter what it looks like I am ready to see what God does. For now I will be planning and praying for the future with an obedient, desperate and faithful heart.
My favor to ask you is to say a prayer (or ten) for the CCF staff (Me, Katie, Sarah, and Matt) as we meet and seek God for what is next and then follow obediently. To bring this post back together I want to share one last scripture. When I was lazy and a poor steward I always leaned on this verse:
”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
I would cling to this verse and just be lazy to think that my plans and efforts were pointless and meaningless in comparison so why even try. This verse once again has come to my heart as I pray for clarity on what God’s ways truly are. Ways that are higher than anything I can imagine. Just think God is inviting all of us to be a part of these ways. How can you not get excited about this reality? Let’s pray for these ways to become clear. Vision that is bigger. Vision that is greater. Would you join with me in prayer?
~michael
