Hello my Friends! I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve written a real live post! I’ve been spending A LOT of quiet time with the Lord this Summer..because ONE MORNING…God gave me a scripture:
“Without a Vision the People Perish” Proverbs 29:18a
Do you ever wake up some days and wonder “how did I get here?” Back in the day when I used to drink..I would often have that happen..I would black out and then wonder the next morning..how I got home, what I did the night before…what foolish things I had done. It always left a sick feeling in the pit of stomach. One that left me feeling so ashamed and guilt ridden that I could not look anyone in the face…so I would drink again to cover that shame and guilt.
I know that many of you may not relate to this kind of scenario..I say YAY to that!! But I am sure you have still made mistakes..that the next day you found yourself saying “why in the world did I do that!”
NO I HAVE NOT BEEN DRINKING…LOL!
Since those days..over 26 years ago…I still get that sick feeling when I get off of the path that God has for my life. Oh I don’t lose my vision often..but sometimes…It happens quickly..and before I know it I wonder..”how did I get here?” There is only one hope for me…
I run to my Father..shame and all..so that He can hold me and restore me again. So that I can start over fresh and forgiven and FREE! Is that what you do? Or do you run away..I used to do that too…until I realized how much my Heavenly Father LONGS to restore me and love me! He Pursues me until I turn around and look Him square in the face and say “I’m sorry Father” Oh the great relief I have when I am washed by His great Mercy!
Oh..sorry..back to my story..
Well ONE MORNING not too long ago I realized that I had lost my true VISION! Uh oh Lord..I’m walking down the wrong path!? It’s really NOT a BAD path..it’s just NOT the one the Lord has CHOSEN FOR ME.
I had all of these brilliant ideas and I was dragging the Lord along..or so I thought..LOL While He just let me indulge myself until I woke up that ONE MORNING and realized .. oh no..what am I doing? Even good things can get in the way of doing what the Lord has in our lives. The vision HE has for us, for our families, for our ministry.
Again Proverbs 29.18a says: “Where there is no vision, the people perish”
You see when we have a vision that is not God’s vision and we just run out on our own..God really can’t bless our mess. Oh yes..He will work all things together for good but the people begin to perish! When we start noticing this, we had better take another look at our Vision and Goals and make sure they line up with God’s Vision and Goals.
This Vision is different for everyone! Although the Biblical Principles are the same. our lives and callings are all different. However it’s so important that we look ahead..down the road and make sure that the decisions we make are going to take us to the right destination!
We need to recognize the SIGNS that we have gotten off of God’s path. Be alert to His Holy Spirit and His Voice! These are some of the signs to look out for when we have LOST OUR VISION:
- V - Vagueness – nothing is clear
- I - Impatience or Impatient
- S - Selfishness/Self Centeredness
- I - Irritated and irritable with others that are keeping us from OUR Vision
- O - Overwhelmed
- N - Negative..beginning to complain and not be thankful
I really had to repent before the Lord and listen to His voice concerning my priorities and this is what He showed me:
- God First!! Spend time everyday with Him, Worship Him..everyday, Listen to Him!
- My Health!! Exercise and be healthy
- My Family!! Marriage, Family Time, One on One time with kids. Minutes, days and years can NEVER be gotten back.
- My Home!! Make sure my home is in order: clean, organized, take pride in my home and get back to some of my projects
- My Friendships!! Make time for One on One
- My Church!! Serve where I can and when I can’t..no guilt..buy try to be involved where I can and for sure fellowship
- My Blog/Business/Work!! (this may farther up for others)
When we don’t have VISION in the important areas in our lives the people and our own lives begin to perish..to fall apart..the good news..we can turn around anytime and get back on the correct path!
Do you ever go down the wrong path?
Do you ever feel like it’s too late to turn around and go back..to start over?
Let’s make sure that our VISION lines up with God’s VISION..ok..
Blessings my friends!!
This Busy Life says
Thank you for this awesome post and reminder. I love the Vision acronym.
Shari Lynne says
Awww you sweet Barb! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend! Blessings!
Trisha G. says
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post and for your honesty!
Shari Lynne says
Aww thank you Trisha 🙂 Blessings!
Deb says
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, insights, and wisdom, Shari ~ the Lord is not only working IN you, but He’s also working THROUGH you!!
Shari Lynne says
Deb you are so sweet 🙂 Thank you for all the encouragement you always give me..you are a blessing! 🙂
Marina says
What a wonderful post. Love the way you broke up VISION. Tweeted this for you 🙂
Shari Lynne says
Thank you so much Marina..you are so sweet. Thanks for the tweet 🙂 Blessings and have a great weekend!
Cindy Boehm says
Wow Shari, awesome post! You always amaze me with how you allow God to see your heart then use it to speak to others. I really miss our Bible Time together, but visiting here helps a bit. Luv Ya.
Shari Lynne says
Hello my very sweet friend! I miss you too!!! I wrote this post while waiting for the son to call the other day..remember! While we were suppose to be meeting 🙁 Hope to see you soon!! Blessings and I love you!!
Michelle says
Thank you so much Shari for sharing such a beautiful, and honest post with your readers.
Hugs,
Michelle
Shari Lynne says
Hi Michelle!! So nice to see you! and thank you so much for your very sweet compliment 🙂 Blessings!!
Tammy says
Hey Shari, what an awesome post here! I often go down the wrong path and I am not perfect. Nobody is except the Lord! You are a true inspiration with sharing your addiction story. I am going to read this post again today sometime, as I just skimmed through it due to being really busy today. I too have an addiction and that is prescription meds for depression and anxiety. I pray I can get off of them one day. Hopefully soon. 😉 Thank you again for such an awesome post!
Shari Lynne says
Hi Tammy, Boy that is for sure! You are so sweet to be inspired by my story. I used to HATE to tell it when I was a Christian..actually for many years. You know I wanted to give the impression that I was that “perfect” Christian. That doesn’t work so good. Finally I realized that trying to be something that I was not really did not give God the Glory for all of the MIGHTY and GRACEFILLED work he had done in my life. So now I tell it without shame and pray it brings Glory to God and Hope to others 🙂
You know it’s really hard sometimes when we have to take prescription drugs for something and then when we want to stop our body says..NO WAY!! Even as Christians we can get caught up in the addiction cycle. My husband was in 3 accidents and got addicted to pain meds..he’s in recovery too..not good!! Well after a few years he ended up having to go to treatment to get off of them. He is a very Godly wonderful man, but our flesh is so weak. That has been many years ago now and he is doing great. You can do it Tammy! By God’s mighty grace. I will pray and please if you need to get some help with this don’t let pride stand in the way of asking for help 🙂 That’s me :\ You have inspired me and are such a wonderful Bloggy friend! Many blessings to you Tammy!
Donna DM yates says
Great post! This is so true. And it’s so easy to start on that wrong path.