As a kid, I had a VISION in the form of a prayer for
my life – that I would
have a happy and healthful marriage & family I did not know growing up and I envisioned a family that would live above the poverty line that I grew up below. The Lord enabled that vision to be realized.
In Andre Agassi’s biography, OPEN, he shares that his father cast a vision for him from the time he was in the crib – to win Wimbledon and be the number one tennis player in the world. That vision was realized as well.
Vision is powerful in business and in life. As dads we do need to cast a vision for our children, a vision not built solely around our dreams for them but one that enables them to realize their unique gifts and apply them to Kingdom work in this world.
The Word on VISION is: Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the Law. – Proverbs 29:18 NASB.
The King James Version reads, “Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keepeth the Law, happy is he.” Vision is important but the second half of the verse references the Law for a reason. The Law is there to remind us that a vision must be viewed and validated through the lens of the Law – our relationship with God (the first four commandments) and how we reflect that relationship in the world (the last five commandments), summed up by Jesus’ two. Only then is the vision cast for our children grounded in the hope that is our Lord, Jesus the Christ.
Prayer guide: Lord, I confess that the vision originally cast for my kids had a lot more to do with me than them and their unique giftedness. Too often my relationship with the world is what I focus on, even when it comes to the expectations I have for my kids. Forgive me and strengthen my personal relationship with You. Help me stay under Your influence to keep the devil’s schemes in check as I seek to cast a vision for the lives of my children. A godly generation is in the balance and clarity of vision will keep them grounded in the hope that is Jesus. Amen.
A faithful father casts a vision for his children that is viewed and validated through the lens of the Law.
