On the discussion of vision, most everyone recognizes that teaching the vision is key in getting people on board. Vision might be defined as having a God-given and God-sized purpose in life. What I find interesting here lately in this exact kind of vision in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. The vision Paul talks about here is this special raising of money for the saints in Jerusalem who were experiencing persecution and poorness. Paul spends these two chapter pumping the Corinths on seeing this vision happen. The main principle I likened the talk to was drive. Drive is the desire to do whatever it takes to get it done. Vision must have drive. Paul was creating drive for them. How does Paul describe drive? Here is what I gleaned from these two chapters.
Drive is visible. People should be able to actually see something that you've done for the vision. Faith without works is dead. Talk is cheap.
Drive is costly. A God-sized and God-given vision requires us to give up of ourselves first and foremost for the cause. No matter what level of involvement you can do, there is more that you should be giving. That's why some call it a sacrifice.
Drive is initiating. Vision is done completed by just doing what you are told and doing only when you are told to do something. Make things happen.
Drive reflects your love for the cause. Saying you care, but doing little to nothing for the vision is lying and your love is really not in it. Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.
Drive sees things through to completion. Getting burnt out or forgetting the focus destroys the vision. You must be willing for the long haul to remain true to the God-given and God-sized vision for your life.
Drive is team-minded. The kingdom of God has no room for mini-kings. You are one of many ambassadors for Christ. Partner with other ambassadors with similar vision. Both will challenge the other. both will encourage the other. Both will help the other. It is not a competition of winner/loser, but of winner/winner.
Drive gets others excited. Your God-given and God-sized vision will be contagious. Having drive for the cause will create drive in others in jump in. If others aren't jumping on board, maybe you don't have drive.
Drive welcomes accountability. It's easy to get distracted from the vision. We're are a team. Sometimes another team member needs to challenge another team member from becoming slack in their drive. The wise will accept and gain back their drive when given a tool or person to make sure the job is completed.
Drive breeds more personal drive. As you stay focused on the vision and work hard at that vision and other people join the vision, you gain more drive, passion, motivation, obsession to see the vision happen. Not excited about your vision or what you're doing? Maybe you don't have any drive to begin with.
Drive glorifies God. Vision is all about having a God-given and a God-sized purpose in life. Working hard on this vision and getting other people excited about this vision is not about you. The end result for you and those involved and those who see the vision happening, will be giving God the credit, giving God the praise, and saying "oh yeah, God is so good."
So the question is, do you have drive? Do you have the passion to do whatever it takes to make it happen? Maybe you need drive, maybe you need a vision. Can't have one without the other.
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