Vision, Goals, Dreams, or Just a Wish

Vision, goals, dreams, and wishes sometimes seem to intertwine together but each word has a different implication.

Visions are the ability to see something, often before it ever becomes reality.  Dave Ramsey in his book "EntreLeadership" states goals are what convert visions into energy.  And according to the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:28) dreams are for old men.  So what is a "wish"?  A wish is simply a desire for something to happen.

As children some of us grew up with a "wishing well" (throw a penny in and make a wish), a "wish list" (mostly used at Christmas time) or maybe finding the "wishbone" of the chicken after a family dinner, and two people pulling the wishbone in opposite directions and making a wish.  Sounds childless and maybe today would be considered wrong.  However, in my generation all of the above was done merely out of fun and we were always taught that these were just "old wives tales" with no truth to them.

Today everything that I read in my time of devotion seems to take me on this mental journey that relates to visions and goals.

The Apostle Paul tells King Agrippa "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19 KJV).  Paul had a vision on the road to Damascus and acted on that vision with goals.

Philippians 3:12-14 The Message Bible quotes it like this, "I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.  But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.  Friends, don't get me wrong:  By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus.  I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back."

The Apostle Paul goes on to say, "So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.  If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet!  Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it."

It is not to late to set goals in life.  What are a few of the things that you want to accomplish?  What is in your "bucket list" of things to do?  Pick one today and begin to move in that direction.  Will Rogers once stated, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

I think I hear the train coming!  Or is that the sound of the trumpet?  Regardless, I encourage you to get moving down the track to see fruition of the vision that God has given you.