In recent years commonly used words in business have been incorporated into Christian circles. For instance, we hear Christian leaders talking about the mission and vision statements of their church or organization. A “mission statement” defines a company’s objectives and its approach to reaching those objectives. The focus is day-to-day operations. Questions related to a mission statement include: What do we do? Whom do we serve? How do we serve them?

A “vision statement,” by contrast, describes the desired future of the company. It looks at what the business wants to become. It asks: What are our hopes and dreams? Where do we want to see change, and what goals do we need to set in place to see this change happen?

In last month’s Adventuring with God, we looked at the mission statement of the church – what God wants us as His people to do day to day as we carry out our calling. This month I’d like to turn our attention to our future aspirations … the church’s vision statement.  As Jesus’ representatives on earth, what does our desired future look like? What changes would He like to make in us so we can become all He envisions? As my title suggests, Jesus has a vision in mind for us … a preferred future that will help us do our daily ministry even better. The question for us is … Are we going to move towards it or stay as we are? And are we willing to set the goals that’ll help us get there?  

If we don’t have a clear idea of where we’re headed, we’ll likely end up somewhere else! That’s the value of a clearly defined vision statement. As it says in Proverbs 29:18 (NASB), “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained.” The right goals keep us focused on what is most important as we move forward. 

Sometimes the goals we set in Christian service are pitifully small, falling far short of the Lord’s desire for us. We chase after numerical growth and erect impressive buildings, thinking this will elevate our status in the world and win converts. But Jesus never sought out these things. He knows our best chance at spiritual success is to become more like Him!

In John 17 Jesus’ prayer for His fledging church is recorded. He asks the Father to protect the disciples from evil, to sanctify them through His Word of truth, and to change them … so they might be “one as we are one” (v. 11). One in purpose. One in how we see the world. One in what we value and give our lives to. One in lovingkindness and the desire to rid the world of everything evil that has come from our spiritual enemy. United against sin, division, and strife. Committed to seeing God reign over all.   

When Jesus said in verse 24, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am,” I don’t believe He was simply looking forward to us joining Him one day in heaven. I think He wanted us to experience right now the kind of loving relationship He enjoyed with the Father, a relationship built on trust, a common purpose, and a mutual desire for change.

He wants us to know His joy in doing the Father’s will. To be filled with the Holy Spirit and led each day to fulfill our particular assignments while helping other members of His body fulfill theirs. When Jesus’ glorious vision is fulfilled in us, our spiritual mission will become more fruitful and productive. As He said in John 15:16, “I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”

This vision of doing ministry in the power and character of Jesus may seem impossibly high, but every meaningful vision will exceed our current capacity. Its aim would be too low if our vision statement didn’t stretch us and drive us to the Father in dependence, humility, and faith. Jesus told us in Luke 18:27, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Do we believe Him? Will we ask Him in prayer to make these vital changes in us? Will we obey Him, no matter how we’re feeling or what the cost may be? Will we search the Scriptures diligently to see what His will is? These are the kind of goals we should be setting for ourselves if we want to fulfill His vision for us.  

The apostle Paul was given a heavenly vision when he encountered the Lord on the Damascus Road. And in Acts 26:19 he declares to King Agrippa, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.” Oswald Chambers shares in one of his devotionals how Paul was able to fulfill it. “He was brought into a vivid, personal, overmastering relationship to Jesus Christ. Verse 16 is immensely commanding, ‘to make thee a minister and a witness.’ Paul was devoted to a Person not to a cause. He was absolutely Jesus Christ’s, he saw nothing else, he lived for nothing else.”

Listen to Jesus’ cry for His church in John 17: “My prayer is that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one; I in them and you in me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” (vv. 20-22, 26).

Jesus wants us to be where He is, and He has provided every spiritual resource we need to reside there. Sure, it’s a high and holy calling but we can begin today. Remember the Chinese proverb? “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Lord Jesus, complete the good work you have begun in us. Continue to challenge us and change us into the people you want us to be. We want to be one with you, reflecting your glory and beauty as we partner with you in our daily life. Help us to fulfill both our mission and the vision you have for us. Have your way, Lord Jesus! We are yours. Today and forever. Amen.