“A Vision to See and Believe.”

by Micheal Woods (September/October 2023 Newsletter)

I’ve been thinking lately about a passage in the Bible that talks about God’s graciousness to Abram. This has been on my heart because I am convinced it contains a principle that a lot of people find hard to accept. 

In the account found in Genesis 13, Abram (later renamed Abraham) was traveling with his nephew Lot. Their flocks were, “So great that they could not dwell together” (13:6). In a move that can only be called humble and kind, Abram gave Lot the first choice of all the available land. Lot (selfishly) took the most fertile and welcoming land for his flock, but true to his word, Abram accepted the leftover land without complaint. 

Shortly after Lot’s family, flocks, and herdsmen left for the prime property, God spoke to Abram and did two things — things that I hope you embrace for yourself. 

The first thing God did was give Abram a vision, and the second thing God did was make a promise to secure that vision. 

Friend, I’m convinced God works like that with us too.

Has there ever been a time when you looked around, dreamed a God-sized dream, only to retreat from it in fear? If we are honest with ourselves, I think we can all admit to a time when we have done that. Whether we were intimidated, crippled by imposter syndrome, or filled with messages of inadequacy, we have all at some time backed down from the greatness only God can fulfill in us. 

Where do God-sized visions come from? The answer should be obvious, but too often we miss it. Much too often when we think we have created these visions ourselves, it is easy to demote them fantasies. But let’s admit it: God-sized visions only come from God. God-sized visions are tied to His design for us and His desire to see us thrive. 

How did God do this with Abram? There is no escaping the fact that prior to this exchange with Lot, Abram had previously returned to a familiar place of worship. This was the same place where Abram worshipped God from the beginning of his walk of faith. Before even offering Lot a chance to pick his parcel of land, Abram had already returned to his place of worship – and worshipped. 

As we can see, Abram first worshipped, and then God gave him a vision: “Look north, south, east, and west – these are the lands I (God) will give you and your descendants” (13:14-15). If anything could be called a God-sized vision, it was that! Land all around for Abram’s lineage! 

Has there ever been a time when you worshipped God and He showed you a glimpse of your future in a “look here and there” moment? Friend, I’m confident that in His love, God has plans for each of us; plans that must be seen in advance to be realized in the future. It stands to reason that God who is loving wouldn’t give us impossible visions just to frustrate us. Not at all, and that brings us to the second thing God did with Abram. 

You see, God not only gave a vision. God made a promise. The promise is recorded in verse fifteen, and also repeated in verse seventeen! He said these words: “I give it to you.” 

A vision and a promise from God – what more could we need? Friend, one of God’s most loving acts is to point us in the direction of a vision He promises to fulfill. What is left to do? Accept the vision and walk in faith! 

“But Micheal…” you say, “You don’t know my past.” “You don’t know my record.” “You’ve never met my family.” “You’ve never walked the dark roads I have walked.” That’s all true, but friend, I tell you this with all the faith I have: “Those things cannot overcome God’s vision and promise to you!” 

I lovingly beg you to embrace the idea that God loves you – He has a vision for you and keeps His promises. 

I believe this for myself and the clients in our many ministry areas here at Western Carolina Rescue Ministries. I believe it is true for you too! 

What God-sized vision has God shared with you? Take Him at His word (His promise), and pursue it with all your faith! 

And if you have not yet seen a God-sized vision, do what Abram did. Get in the presence of God. Once you are there, worship and wait. Submit yourself and your future to Him and He will never disappoint.