Why do the people perish without vision?
Dear friend,
There is a verse in the Bible (Proverbs 29:18) that says:
Where there is no vision, the people perish.
But why?
Why do the people perish without vision?
What IS vision?
Do you have it?
Do I ?
Why is vision so important?
What is vision
In physical terms, having vision means
we have our ideal ability to see our environment.
Without clear vision, we can perish in a car crash or other mishap.
In business terms, a company’s vision statement
expresses the ideals that guide their venture.
Without a strong vision, their business may perish.
Political leaders offer a vision expressing their ideal goals
for the city, state or country they seek to lead.
Without an inspiring vision, their leadership may perish.
And unless their vision is morally and politically healthy,
the freedom of their city, state or country may perish,
along with that of any territory or persons they oppress.
Spiritual leaders offer a vision of the ideal faith of a believer:
what God asks us to believe, to be, and to do.
Without a healthy, compassionate and life-generating vision,
the integrity and constructive purpose
of their ministry and flock may perish.
Some of us may have created a vision statement
expressing the ideal purposes and outcomes
(personal, spiritual, educational, relational, financial, political, etc.)
that we hold up to guide our own life.
Most of us neither want nor need
to do that comprehensive an analysis!
but without creating a basic picture
of our ideal way of living—
a loving vision that is true to the best within us—
our happiness and fulfillment may perish.
In all these dimensions,
we see that vision is an ideal.
Vision is an ideal picture of life toward which we strive.
Having vision means we HAVE
an ideal picture of life inside us.
One that grows and develops
as we build our awareness
of what we believe in and seek to become.
Having vision also means we have the capacity
to SEE and to evaluate
the ideal pictures
being held up to us by others.
Our capability to see and embrace and build with
the constructive and admirable visions of others
is what connects our mind, body and soul
with our community, our country and our world.
Why the people perish without vision
We perish without vision
because it is our vision
that gives us hope.
And hope is what keeps us alive.
Our hopeful vision
gives us our dream of the future
that no fearful events can ruin.
Our hopeful vision
makes us eager to get up in the morning
even when we are in a painful and challenging time.
Our hopeful vision
transforms all our work into our joy
as we devote ourselves to making our dream a reality.
You, my beloved reader,
by considering the insights I offer,
make real my hopeful vision
of being a doctor who builds freedom.
Blessings,
Dr. Hall
Question:
During your life, whose vision has given you hope?
It would be interesting to see how vision varies by culture and circumstances. There is a Canadian film called Snow walker. It is about a cocky bush pilot and a young native woman who are stranded in the wilderness after a plane crash. The woman uses native survival skills to keep them alive. In one scene they are discussing the afterlife. The native woman says the her people go to a spirit world behind the moon when they die. The pilot asks what it is like there. She replies " Good hunting and fishing." That says so much. No golden streets or palaces, just what her people would need to thrive.
I personally spent many years of my life in survival mode. Figuratively putting my head down and plowing forward. My only vision was that ultimately I would break through to a more secure place. I got there. Now my vision is to matter at some level. Not to change the world but to matter a little bit.
My idea of an ideal vision of life involves, every day, making an effort to do and get the most I can within the limits of my Physical Strength, my Emotional Strength, my Spiritual Strength and my Financial Strength. In effect living my life to it fullest as well as helping others to do the same. I am 85 years old and proud of it!