But I do know that God has a plan for each of us and that He formed us each for a purpose. Your purpose is what you were born to accomplish. God places within our hearts His desires. He may put several things in your mind or heart that He wants you to do, each one for a different season of your life.
Do you have an interest or a vision? A "vision" without passion is just an interest.
- Interests come and go.
When my daughter was little I had an interest in making hair bows and trimming out her socks to match! Yes...I have pictures. No...I'm not posting those! That interest lasted long enough to make and trim 5 sets.
I also had an interest in stenciling walls. That interest lasted until the pain in my neck and shoulders became unbearable as did my resemblance to Quasimoto.
The stenciled wall project? Never finished. And no pictures. Thank goodness!
I was interested in those things and many others for a short while. Somehow my interest waned or haulted completely.
Vision is long-term.
- Vision stays with you.
The vision of my heart was present when I was a young child. Looking back I can remember snapshots in time in which I play-acted my vision. Since that time I have had pictures in my mind's eye in which I play out my vision or destiny. Sure, I have had some opportunities that have trained me and helped develop gifts. I'm thankful for those. But there is more. I know it. I can feel it. I can see it.
I hope you are aware of the purpose for which God created you. I hope you have clear vision. Perhaps your season in life has changed and your spiritual eyes have caught a glimpse of a new day, a new door. Do you see the Lord beckoning you to enter through another door? If He is calling you, you must rise up and go toward that calling. One thing is for sure, stepping through that new door requires faith and action on your part. It may, at first, be uncomfortable and perhaps disconcerting.
But realize that as you step through the door, there is One who walks with you. And your obedience to go through the door opens wide the door of faith for others to stream through to a relationship with Him. That's the way vision works. On arrival, they got the church together and reported on their trip, telling in detail how God had used them to throw the door of faith wide open so people of all nations could come streaming in" Acts 14:27, MSG.
God designs you with a purpose and places a vision in your heart to live out that purpose. It is a blessing to you but it is not just for you!
Stepping through the doors God opens for you opens doors for many more!
Is there a new door in your future? I'd love to hear about it. Do Tell!
My Monday Magnificat? Jesus opens the door. He walks me through the door. He IS the door. For this, I utter my praise!
But realize that as you step through the door, there is One who walks with you. And your obedience to go through the door opens wide the door of faith for others to stream through to a relationship with Him. That's the way vision works. On arrival, they got the church together and reported on their trip, telling in detail how God had used them to throw the door of faith wide open so people of all nations could come streaming in" Acts 14:27, MSG.
God designs you with a purpose and places a vision in your heart to live out that purpose. It is a blessing to you but it is not just for you!
Stepping through the doors God opens for you opens doors for many more!
Is there a new door in your future? I'd love to hear about it. Do Tell!
My Monday Magnificat? Jesus opens the door. He walks me through the door. He IS the door. For this, I utter my praise!
Magnificat - an utterance of praise from the Latin magnificare - to magnify (photo by Linda Charlene)
Hey Melanie...Yes I have a dream, it's always been there...as long as I have memory. God gave me a love for music. I have tried to be faithful to his call on my life. The harder part is knowing if he is wanting me to walk through new doors or be content with the opportunities he has placed in front of me.
ReplyDeleteI also have always wanted to be mommy so combining the two needs to be workable for all of us.I continue to pray for his guidance on these matters.
I've always wanted to be a mom, and now I am and that dream has come true. My more recent dream is to become a writer, and that one is happening as well. God is so good. I pray that my dreams are visions and not interests.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Hey Mel,
ReplyDeleteAs always you are right on target. So timely. I thank God for the passion and the desire He has given me. I am trusting Him for the favor now required to move to the next level of His dream for my life. I love reading your posts.
Mel, that was so profound! I'm nearly in tears after reading that. After weeks of "crazy" busy, I'm catching up tonight and reflecting a little. Thank you for reminding me to not make my "INTERESTS" my priorities. I'm gonna get up in the morning and love on my boys and just be with them. If you're ever this way we SO need to meet for coffee!
ReplyDeleteOH, I got my apron today!!!! What a treat! I love the apron, I've already put it on and paraded around my home in it. And, the cookie cutters were so sweet. I showed them to the boys and they can't wait to make cookies with them. THANK YOU!
Ahh yes the road has taken another curve but yes I know that God has called me to purpose. I did not know that for many years. Although I never imagined my purpose would be politics LOL...
ReplyDeleteGreat post as always!!! The doors are often hard to go through.
Well, I know the vision has given me has withstood time and circumstance. At first I didn't know what the vision was but simply to be used by God. I had a "hope" over my life to make a great impact for the Kingdom of God. I also knew that it would bring God great glory. Everything else was completely blank. Then, the Lord began to pull me into minsitry.
ReplyDeleteHe called me to speak and I got involved in prison ministry. He also called me to write and opened doors for me to submit things to Life Way and some other great publishers. So many obstacles though. I missed my Life Way deadline and I need to really press in harder for this other opportunity in front of me. It is difficult b/c there feels like there's an invisible wall that I keep running into. I also got very ill in the middle of all this. Diagnosed with a gene mutation that was causing me to have mini-strokes and other stuff.
I know so much is at stake but my power to move forward isn't enough. I need a supernatural filling to propel me into all the work God has for me to do. And you are right. It isn't just for me. It is for all the people God will allow one life to touch - an endless impact beyond measure.
I appreciate your post. It hits me hard. I needed to hear it and give a little shout to anyone who has ears to hear that a sister in Christ could use some prayer.
Thanks,
Kara
I love this post! I do have some visions from the Lord. One is to start up a new ministry. May God grant me the wisdom to know how to move forward with this passion and vision!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Sonya
OH, I needed this today. I have a huge vision and I keep walking towards the door but sometimes as feel as though I'll never reach it. But I will keep walking.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through Chatty Kelly. I so look forward to reading through your posts. As a new widow I am looking at "doors" and calling out to God, "Show me the door that You have destined for me."
ReplyDeleteLife is so exciting when I refrain from the good things and see the best thing our Father has laid out for me.
Thanks for the inspiration and your blog will be one of reading spots in that lull between Christmas and New Year's Day.
God bless you.
Hi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding me. It must be a God thing because you have been pointed out to me via comments within the last week as a blog to go ck out. I evidently pushed the pause button on my nudge and God went around me. Thank you Lord. I too could add my many interest over the years. They came and went as well. My passion for Jesus and the vision He has given me absolutely CONSUMES me. I believe what He has said and shown me. (Luke 1:45) Your post also made me think of this verse Hab 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
KJV
At first glance reading your blog, we have many things in common. I am all about feathers and flying. I look forward to gathering here. Birds of a feather do flock together. (I know I'm corny) Sorry :) Keep walking by faith! B
Thanks for visiting my blog and suggesting this post....It is right where I'm at for sure!
ReplyDeleteYou have a great blog here...I will follow and be back! ;)
This has been a great encouragement! I guess a lot of us have begun this new year with new visions! (Or at least our visions have been renewed and ignited anew)
ReplyDeleteI love the distinction you draw between an interest and a vision.
ReplyDeleteInsight makes all the difference . . . and it comes from the Spirit of God.
Blessings,
Linda
HEART OF A READY WRITER – Reading Through the Bible in 2009