How to Know God's Vision for Your Life - Part IV - You Must Confess the Vision

Hey friends; this post will complete the four-part series on how you can know God’s vision for your life. Once you come to see the vision, become persuaded by it and embrace it, you must then confess it with your life. Our focus Scripture, Hebrews 11: 1-16, states that the heroes of the faith confessed that they were “strangers and pilgrims” on this earth – that they were seeking a city that God had prepared for them.

In other words, these folks came to recognize that they were just passing through this world and that their true homeland – their eternal home was in heaven with God. Therefore, they made the conscious choice to confess or validate God’s vision by living their lives in the light of the life to come (eternity). There are three factors that should drive us to make the same confession.

First, the Scriptures teach that our true homeland (our citizenship) is in heaven. Philippians 3:20. I was not born in this country. However, I am proud to tell you that I am a naturalized US citizen. When I became a citizen, the government issued me a certificate and placed my name in a book containing the names of all those who are also naturalized citizens.

The Bible states that God has a Book – it’s a Book of Life containing the names of all of heaven’s citizens – all those who have received eternal life on God’s terms. At the culmination of time, God will open the Book. Those whose names are written in that Book will spend an eternity in heaven with God in utter perfection. In light of that glorious destiny, how should we conduct ourselves in this life?

That’s point #2. We are to follow the pattern of the folks in Hebrews 11 – we are to recognize that we are just passing through this earth and we are to keep a heavenly perspective. That means that we should move live our lives on mission for God and with God. God gave us all things to enjoy, but we should not make earthly “things” our major focus in life. As best as we can, we are to live for God’s agenda. The question that should keep us up at night is not who got eliminated this week on American Idol (although that’s very important) – but are we living for God – are we living this life in the light of our true eternal identities?

When we choose to live in this manner, our lives will “declare plainly” who we are. Our lives will speak much louder than our words. It will emanate a light that demonstrates the reality of God for all to see. God’s vision for our lives may change over time, but our job is to live it out along the way. That is the key to lasting contentment, fulfillment, significance and joy. There will be no greater joy than departing this life knowing that you lived it intentionally for the glory of God.

Perhaps you can spend some quiet time in the near future asking yourself honestly what are you living for. Is God even on the agenda? Or are you caught up in all of the desires, demands and distractions of this world? If you are, why don’t you stop right now and ask the Lord to refresh your spirit and to remind you of His plans and purposes for you. Keep it really simple and please send me a note about anything the Lord reveals to you.