By the grace of God alone and nothing of myself, the Lord gave me eyes to see beyond my pain last year when He gave me a clear vision for how I should live in 2017.  His vision for me came in a word:  joy.  And later it transformed to rejoice.  I was to rejoice daily, hourly, and even minute by minute despite my difficult circumstances.

I’ve been wanting to share this notion of having a vision vs. a resolution since December but it didn’t happen—too busy.  So, I’m sharing it with you now—in an abridged version for fear of never sending it out—while I continue to wait, reflect, seek, and pray for the Lord to give me a new vision for 2018.

A VISION IS NOT A RESOLUTION

The purpose of a vision is to help you become a spiritually mature person in Christ, which in the long run, is far more useful than a list of goals.  A vision will guide and direct you through the highs, the lows, and the I don’t knows.

New Year’s resolutions tend to vanish after the first month or so, right?  Two years ago, I spent tons of money “preparing” myself to go to the gym.  I bought three cute, matching outfits even before stepping foot into Planet Fitness.  And after each of my FIVE workouts, yes, five, I walked right over to Modell’s to purchase a new outfit.  Afterall, I needed to look cute while I tried to lose the extra 30 pounds I’d put on in college—25 years ago!  By the way,  my hubby banned me from Modell’s.   (Raspberry emoji, please :-P).

A vision, however, is way different because it is not a list of goals or wishes that look like a “to-do” list, which get quickly tossed away.  Not that goals aren’t necessary but a vision is better.

My hubby’s favorite verse Proverbs 29:18, in the King James Version, speaks of vision and the consequences when there is lack thereof.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish…”

Here are substitutes for the word “vision” in other bible versions:  divine vision, revelation, divine guidance, prophetic vision, or word from God.

And instead of “perish,” other versions say the people: run wild, are unrestrained, uncontrolled, without order, cast off (or throw off) restraint, or decay.

Clearly, a prophetic word from God will provide divine revelation on how to live a more focused 2018!

A VISION INFLUENCES ALL AREAS OF LIFE

A vision from the Lord encourages you to actively engage in your life.  When the Lord gives you a word or a biblical precept to guide you, it is to equip you for whatever comes your way.

A vision says:

— I want more of you, Lord (music video)–because I need more of you and with you anything is possible.  (Matt 19:26)

— I desire a closer relationship with you, Jesus Christ. (James 4:8)

— I will pursue the character of Christ and demonstrate His characteristics over my flawed ones. (2 Timothy 2:22; Philippians 2-12-14)

— I allow the Master of the Universe, through his Son, Jesus Christ, to infiltrate all areas of my life, even the mundane ones like improving workflow, losing weight, saving money, etc.  Just to list some examples—not necessarily mine. (1 Chronicles 16:11)

RADICAL VISIONS ARE VERBS NOT NOUNS  

I began this tradition accidentally in the middle of last year when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 7 months pregnant.  It happened organically when I felt the Lord impress on me that I should choose to live with joy in the face of the “big C,” cancer, in order to rely on the much “bigger C,” CHRIST.

My vision from the Lord taught me to live joy as a verb (an action) and not as a noun (an idea).  Joy in action is what the Bible calls “rejoice,” it means to be full of joy and full of gladness in your relationship with the Lord.  A fullness of joy in the Lord overflows into a fullness of joy in your life.

When Paul says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), he is talking about a radical joy.

Rejoice when?  Always!  In what kind of circumstances?  All of them, regardless of pain or trouble.

For me, living a radically joyous 2017 meant I rejoiced whether the sun shone or the storms threatened to drown me.  And when I rejoiced in the midst of trouble, peace and joy returned to me even when the ground trembled and shook beneath me.  This was my vision for 2017–-to rejoice radically in all situations despite my difficult circumstances.

LIFE WITH A VISION IS EASIER THAN LIFE WITHOUT A VISION.

Believe me, it was not easy.

Sometimes to rejoice, I praised Jesus at the top of my lungs while I showered and blasted worship music to counteract and drown out my sobs.  Other times, I rejoiced by whispering to God all that I was grateful for to transform all the fears and doubts that threatened to consume me and steal my joy—and my sleep!

My thoughts said:  You have cancer.  You might die.

I responded in a whisper:  Thank you, Father, for bringing this cancer to light.  Thank you for providing treatments to save me.  Thank you, Father, that even in the midst of this, you put a miracle baby in my womb.

To rejoice, I wielded prayers of gratefulness like a Jedi knight with a lightsaber except my sword was the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.  Life told me lies in 2017, but the Lord’s word to rejoice brought me His promises and His peace.

Though anger, fears, and doubts crept into my life daily, I remembered: Rejoice always!  When I worried about my weak upper body strength and my inability to hold my newborn son, I rejoiced that I had a son!

I rejoiced every time I held him against me despite the painful port in my chest; I rejoiced every time I fed him even though my muscles and bones ached; I rejoiced every time I changed his diaper even when it hurt me more to stand than I would let on.

Through it all, I rejoiced!

I rejoiced over the word the Lord had given me because His vision gave me strength.  It was exactly what I needed to hear so that my precious son, Noah, would see my smiles and never my sadness or tears.  And in my rejoicing, the Lord used Noah to make me stronger than I’d ever been.  Noah was the rejoicing I needed to heal.  He turned my sorrows into joy and showed me firsthand the intensity and depth of the sacrifice He made when gave up His only son so that I could have mine.

Rejoice was the word Christ gave me, and rejoice I did.

Through Christ, I was empowered with a supernatural joy that gave me the potential to achieve more than I ever could have on my own.  His vision to rejoice held me and kept me together like never before.

Thank you, Lord.  My joy was in you.  My joy came from you.  My joy remains in you.

But now it is a new year and I am seeking a new vision.

HOW TO RECEIVE A NEW VISION FROM THE LORD.

This year, I am actively pursuing a new vision through prayer, reflection, time in His word, and fasting.

1. EXTENDED PRAYER TIME:  This is a daily discipline for me but as I am seeking deeper revelation, I am in an extended time of prayer.  I not only pray aloud, I also include a written prayer with my oral prayer.  I find that when I write, after my time of prayer and reading God’s word (yes, you must do that, too) that I am able to organize the thoughts God has impressed upon me.  Writing gives me more clarity, especially concerning a number of areas in my life that I would like the Lord to radicalize this year.

When I journal, I begin with “Father God, I thank you for today…” and from there I take off in conversation with Him.  I open up honestly about where I’d like a new vision to take me.  I ask questions for clarity and I speak my mind.

During my writing reflection, I begin to discern, through the Holy Spirit, certain biblical concepts concerning areas of my life that I need more help with like having a bolder and riskier faith or trusting God more radically.  I simply write, listen, and wait for God.

There really is no template.  Normally, I write anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.  I try to do it very early before anyone wakes up and time is taken from me.

Of course, if you asked me, I could easily choose the areas and biblical principles I lean towards for a vision, but then what would be the use of me praying for one if I’m going to follow my own lead?

Patience is vital for a vision.  I’ve learned never to rush the Lord and to always trust His process because His timing is always perfect.

2. FASTING:  I am also fasting.  Fasting precedes breakthrough.  At the beginning of every year, my church does a 21-day corporate fast.  We are on day 13 as I write and I’ll be honest, I started on day 6.  I was not going to fast this year, even though I have in year’s past because there are such few pleasures I enjoy while I am in this very slow recovery, but then the Holy Spirit convicted me.

I felt the Holy Spirit convict me not to forsake such an important spiritual discipline just because of my slow, painful recovery.  In fact, it is because I want to be stronger more quickly that I knew I needed to press into my relationship with the One who could give me clarity, supernatural strength, and vision on how to do this.

(And if Pastors ask their church members to fast for their corporate vision every year, doesn’t it make sense that you and I fast and pray for our individual vision?)

FASTING DELIVERS POWERFUL RESULTS

The bible says there are times when only fasting and praying can bring about a breakthrough and so I share this brief testimony told to me by my friend. (Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals).

Before Lily and her husband Charlie surrendered their lives to Jesus, Charlie battled a terrible heroin addiction.  One day, Lily’s mother asked her to trade residences for three days so that she and two of her church sisters could stay in Lily and Charlie’s home to pray and fast for his deliverance from addiction.  Three months later, Charlie gave his life to the Lord and was miraculously healed from his addiction without any program—just the Jesus program. He still serves the Lord today.

Fast forward.  Years later, Lily did the same fasting and praying for one of her children. Remembering her mother’s faithful example, Lily and two of her church sisters fasted and prayed for three days for her wayward child.  And three months later, Lily and Charlie’s child also surrendered to the Lord and is still souled out for Christ to this day!

I’m so encouraged by this testimony as I pray, fast, and seek the Lord.

Jesus fasted 40 days and nights.  Moses fasted before the commandments.  Elijah, Ezra, Esther, Daniel, Paul, and the church elders in the book of Acts fasted.  There are fasting examples throughout the Old and New Testament.

In Matthew 6:16, Jesus told his disciples “when you fast,” not “if” but “when” you fast.

WHY FAST?

Sometimes we are not as close to the Lord as we believe.  Fasting strips us of this ambiguity.  It humbles us as it brings us closer and more intimately in relationship with the Lord.  It often breaks us in an area that is already broken but which we need to be delivered from.

Fasting empowers our prayer life and transforms us from the inside out.  It is a powerful tool for those who are devoted to Christ and waiting to receive a word and direction from Him.

(Note:  I’m referring to food fasting, however, you can fast other things.  I’m not going to get into that here for lack of time, or the use of a fasting devotionals which I highly recommend. If you are interested in learning more about fasting, I recommend: Jenzten Franklin’s Fasting:  Opening the Door to a Deeper , More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God and  John Piper’s A Hunger For God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer)  You may also email me privately for more details or instruction).

BE PATIENT

Patience is vital for receiving a divine word from God.  What you seek may not come as soon as your fast is over.  The Lord is scrupulous over your matter and He distributes His direction and wisdom with precision and perfect timing.

Therefore, I wait for His response.  I have been asking, knocking, and seeking since early December.  And I’ve added fasting not to rush the Lord but to receive a major breakthrough in my life.

To wait upon the Lord for a response shows Him that I have a willing, teachable spirit.

Plus, the Lord blesses those who wait for his instruction instead of running on ahead of Him to act. I’ve made that mistake many times before.

Isaiah 64:4 says the Lord “works for those who wait for him!”

Lamentation 3:25 says: “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”

I’M ALREADY HEARING.

In my time of prayer and fasting, I have already begun to hear from the Lord in many areas of my life.  But my time of fasting and praying is not yet over. So, I wait, pray, reflect, and write.

I’ve also picked up an incredibly useful practice that I’d like to share called “becoming an idea generator.”

Every morning, I write down 10 ideas or 10 reasons.  About what?  Doesn’t matter.  Sometimes, I do more than one list.  Sometimes I go over ten to twenty.  Sometimes I write down a list during the day when an idea hits me.

Generating these lists especially after my time of prayer helps me to hear where, when, or how God chooses to speak to me.

Sometimes I go totally left field and write a list that makes no sense at all like “10 Ideas for a TV show.”  Did that one yesterday.  I have some good ones, too, like “Master Makeup Artist!”  Don’t laugh!

The ideas are not always useful but the practice helps me to cull through the junk in my mind—it’s a real mess in the morning.  Through my idea generation, I have listed my reasons for fasting and generated new ideas for blog posts—to name a few.

A VISION IS FROM THE LORD!

Most importantly, to hear your prophetic vision and word from God, you must be in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Without it, you may receive a vision, but it won’t be blessed by the Lord.

John 8:47 says “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

I have had lots of visions before coming to Christ but those visions were either induced or through occult experience.  Those are not the kinds of visions you want!  Trust me.  Once you get those kinds, it will take a long time to be delivered from them.

You don’t need to meditate, do yoga, or smoke peyote for this kind of vision.  I am against all three!  You need only to love and seek the One that leads to a breakthrough (2 Samuel 7:22).

DO YOU WANT A VISION?

If you receive a vision from the Lord, will you allow Him to move you wherever He wants to?  If so, prepare to be spoken to. If you are in Christ, and you follow prayer, fasting, and the reading of God’s word your vision will manifest.

A personal vision may come to you during your time of prayer, or in a dream, or as a strong impression or a thought at a particular time.  The Lord will get your attention in a manner he sees fit.  He will speak to you about your vision in a way that will let you know it is blessed from Him.  He is God, after all.  I think He can get your attention anyway He wants without confusing you (1 Corinthians 14:33).

I pray no matter the road your vision in 2018 takes you, that you will allow and trust the Lord through every speed bump, turn, detour, and even crash if it revolutionizes your relationship with Jesus. I pray you will not be the same in 2018.  I pray you will be in a more intimate relationship with Him.

Will you please share your fasting experience, past or present?  Or your vision?  It can be privately or in the comments section—which I approve, once I receive a comment notification.

LET ME PRAY FOR YOUR VISION.  Father God, in the name of your precious son, Jesus, I pray that you would bless and speak to all who are seeking You for a word this year.  Lord Jesus, guide them in their time of prayer and fasting while they seek your kingdom first (Matt 6:36) and set aside their visions for the greater vision You have for them.  Lord Jesus, thank you that your ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9) and that you know what is best.  Thank you that You know the end even before we begin (Isaiah 46:10).  Lord Jesus, bless us all with a new thirst and hunger for You as we seek a new divine revelation.  Thank you, Lord, because I know You will tell us remarkable secrets that we do not know about things to come (Jeremiah 33:3). In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen. 

P.S.  Ta-da!  My hair is finally growing.  It’s a grayish, unruly, soft fuzziness.  This week, I asked my super-romantic hubby what he thought of my new look and he said, “You remind me of a little, wet rat.”  Huh?  A wet rat?  So she sent me what he thought was a cute picture.  Rats are not cute!

Thank you for your continued prayers which are still necessary as I experience bone pain and tiredness from the new infusions and the oral medicine I have to take for the next five years.  But life is good!  Monday was the first time I was able to start holding Noah against my chest and picking him up for extended periods since my mastectomy.  God is Great!  All the time!

God Bless All of You.

In Love and Christ,

Liz and Noah (6 1/2 months)