Would you die for your vision?
Thousands have been marching on our city streets despite coronavirus restrictions. It is thrilling for some while putting a fearful chill in others. A whole generation of “woke” warriors chant a vision of a new society. Many are sincere while others seek an opportunity to promote their ideological agenda in a violent way. With an American election only weeks away and a Canadian federal election potentially on the horizon, none of us can escape the multiple visions of a preferred future being hoisted upon us.
Vision is a powerful thing. Every movement starts with a clear caption that propels and captures people’s attention. It starts with a vision. The movement is sustained by a continued reminder and commitment to the vision.
The same is true in our churches. However, the reality is that vision constantly “leaks”. It’s the first thing to leak out of our churches. People with busy lives quickly forget why the church exists. Many slip into the lie that the church exists for me.
Any vision that comes quickly or unanimously through committee consensus will be a vision that may be approved, but not necessarily owned. And if it isn’t owned, brother, it isn’t going to happen.
Vision is a painting. I’m a water colour artist. Vision is a painting of a scene that produces passion or emotion in people. It is a preferred future that inspires, brings hope, and with God’s help, comes into being.
The Apostle John on Ownership
In John 10, we listen to Jesus tell the story of the hired-hands who cared for the sheep. When a pack of wolves came looking for a rack of lamb, guess who went running for the hills – the hired-hands! The owner knew the sheep by name and would risk his life for his lambs. Owners do whatever it takes to propel the mission and vision forward. Owners are willing to die for the mission they own.
Which begs the question—do I give assent to Jesus’ mission, applaud it, or do I own His mission?
One Day on “Bloody Sunday”
Six hundred people crossed a bridge in Louisiana marching to Montgomery, Alabama in March 1965 to tell the governor that blacks should be able to vote. On the other side of the bridge stood many racist police officers with attack dogs, clubs, and tear gas. These people stopped, looked at the police, the teeth, the clubs, and they all did a “gut check”. Do I really own this vision, because it’s likely going to mean getting in harm’s way? Today we know this event as “Bloody Sunday”. A nation realized change was coming because some people were willing to die for a vision of a preferred future. The Civil Rights movement followed this blood bath.
Vision leaks amid weak leadership
Vision leaks. This is a fact. It’s inevitable in church and any organization. Most people get their ownership cue from their leader. They are willing to take a bullet as long as the leader is willing to take the first bullet. Most won’t settle for the “hired-hand” lowball vision that costs little. This vision birthed by leaders asking people to own what they themselves are not willing to pay for. Most want to own something that costs dearly. Jesus is one example. Salvation cost Him glory. Imagine a divine being becoming a baby unable to neither feed Himself nor hold His own bladder. It cost Him His blood at Calvary. Our people wait for a leader with a vision that is costly. Are you a hired hand or an owner?