This semester at SUM Bible College, I am teaching a “College Success” course—a class to prepare incoming freshmen for the academical challenges ahead. One of the objectives of the course is to make them better managers of their time. Last week, after showing them how to set up tracking systems for their assignments, I asked them to make a list of their short and long-term goals. What I received was a plethora of desires and wishes that were not only un-measureable, but probably unattainable. It looks like we’ll be taking a second stab this week at how to establish specific, realistic and measurable goals.
But most of you reading this have already learned that clear vision and good planning is an essential part of success—right? Those who reach their goals in this life are those who have a clear vision of who God is, who they are, and what is His calling (2 Peter 1:10). They follow His vision—not their desires.
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (KJV) or “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild” (NLT). The Hebrew word “vision” refers not to man-made goals, but to divine vision. We all know of pastors, missionaries and leaders who have left ministry, disillusioned and discouraged, by their lack of success. I wonder how many mistook their goals and desires for God’s vision. Perhaps there’s a “freshmen class” lesson, or reminder, here for all of us.
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