The Burden Precedes The Vision
Hey Friends,
A few weeks ago I heard a quote from my friend, John Maxwell, that I thought bears repeating: “The burden precedes the vision.” We live in a day when the vision seems to be all that matters. I love vision, yet there are some things of equal or greater weight than vision. One of those is burden. If you do not have a burden you will quit on the vision. If you have a great vision then something must urge you on and up the mountain.
We all know the vision verse in Habakkuk 2:2-3 that says, “Then the LORD answered me and said, ‘Record the vision, and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.’” I love that verse and use it often.
Yet, look in Habakkuk.1:2: “How long, O LORD, will I call for help, and You will not hear?” The prophet had a burden before he received the vision. A burden is so essential, for without it you will quit. Jesus went all the way to the cross because He had a burden – you and me!
What is your burden? Do you have one?
BURDEN – VISION = DRUDGERY
VISION – BURDEN = FANTASY
BURDEN + VISION = CREDIBILITY
Has the Lord given you a burden that presses down on your heart? God has placed on my heart the desire and burden to build the greatest church since Pentecost – to win the lost at any cost! I will do everything better in heaven than I do today except win the lost. There will be no more opportunity to do that in heaven.
That gets me out of bed in the morning…
Love ya,
Pastor Chris
4 Comments
I am willing to venture in declaration to the posed question that the burden that weighs heaviest in the area of calling is to be a vessel that encourages the body to seek and know Jesus to the extent that they desire to LOVE His Word and Voice, as Mary at His feet. It is kind-of scary to come out and say what my burden is; I guess because of Habakkuk 1:2 because it requires GREAT faith and encouragement, in a continual seeking God.
Also when you come out sometimes you can almost be assured that the enemy and or our own flesh, will try everything to derail you. That would be the reason for the cry of Habakkuk, I suspect. Which, again I think to myself More Faith!!!!…for all the Power of God and hope and mercy and grace to produce total focus as Jesus had and says that we can and do have also. I believe, for the expressed reason to not fear. There is no fear in LOVE.
So maybe the added element that will also support credibility and encouragement up the mountain is love for both the burden and vision simply because they come from God and He loves us enough to give both the burden and vision. He loves us enough to also desire to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Simply put…He blesses and enables for reasons of Love. Let’s Love Him back by pressing on.
Meditation produces many afterthoughts, Pastor, so I want to say thank you for yeilding yourself to God in your calling which perpetuates such seeking in the people entrusted to you.
This is but one of many. Patience to wait and call out to God in the waiting and not faint in doing the work of God, which is to BELIEVE.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE the race that is set before us,
Sabrina,
Good & challenging burden, but I’m thinking the first steps are uncertain. Pray and hunger (and maybe fast) for the details… and don’t let the burden die off (that may be the hardest thing). God will give you the path to go. You may have a few hiccups on the way, but the details will come. This seems to be the route that my wife went through recently… and God gave her vision and opportunity to go with the burden. May God bless you for accepting the burden he gave you and may he empower you to act on it.
Andy Kercher.
Yes, to work for him in the valley of the shadow of death (Recovery community) to save lives.
This requires that I pour him into me constantly. Your postings are one of items that feeds me on a daily basis.
God bless!