Lesson of the Week: Having a View of Vision

In my notes for the week I have the question written down; “Do I have the capacity to carry my vision?”. I wrote this question after viewing a service by Pastor Michael Todd of Transformation Church in Oklahoma. The message was titled “The Value of Vision”, which I recommend all of you to view to fully grasp onto what I am about to write.

What is the difference between having a vision and having a dream? At first, I had a passive interpretation and believed they were just one in the same. After further examination, I’ve come to understand that a dream is simply an internal thought. Dreams are thoughts, images, and sensations that are forecasted in times of sleep or rest. This is where I finally understood how limiting a dream can be. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech about “I Have A Dream” for American society during the Civil Rights Movement. In actuality, MLK did not have a dream, he had a vision.

When you are able to differentiate your dreams from your vision, you will come to realize that a vision is way more valuable and significant than just having a dream.

• Dreams have time limits, they’re confined to the moments we are asleep and inactive. On the other hand, visions evolve from dreams when they are taken out of their comfort zone. Placed in an area of growth and activity, where they are not stimulated by sensation but by the season you are in.
• Dreams have noun characteristic. Induced by materials, people, and places. On the contrary, visions are a verb. Visions require us to announce our state, declare an action, to become something tomorrow that we are not today.
• Dreams typically need endorsement. We need money right now if we’re going to buy that car or designer item, we need thousands of Instagram followers if we’re going to attract people of a higher status, and we need letters of recommendation if we’re going to get accepted for that dream job or dream school.

Not to say any of those are bad, but if dreams come from sleep how can they achieve this?

Visions, now visions need no validation. They must be valid, which means to be authenticated by your passions and love for your life, but they require no validation nor endorsement from others.

Visions need opportunity. Dreams are fed by cravings, but visions cultivate from creativity and confidence within you.

In his message, Pastor Michael Todd challenges his listeners to visibility write down their vision for 2020. I am now challenging you to do the same. Do not let this moment slip away: find a paper & pen, write down your vision clearly, and place it in a spot where you read it at a glance every single day (Habakkuk 2:2).

You may not realize it immediately,  but the value in viewing your vision anew in this uncertain time will foster fulfillment in your life’s calling.

-Cagen