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Many people encourage us to dream big, to follow our dreams. You will see challenges like this on social media, you will hear them at graduation ceremonies, and even in sermons. Granted, people who follow their dreams often do great things. Many dreams are realized, especially when hard work is applied. On the surface, there is nothing wrong with pursuing a dream. But for the man or woman of faith, there is a higher pursuit—that of following a vision. I want to talk about the benefits of a vision as opposed to a dream, but it is important at the outset to distinguish between the two, so let’s lay down some distinctives between them:
Determining the Source
First, while a dream is man-centered, a vision is God-centered. Granted, a dream can include God in it, but God is required in a vision, for a vision actually originates with Him. Recall how, in Genesis 41 in the Old Testament, Joseph received revelation that there would be seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of severe want, so he developed a plan based on what God had revealed. Joseph wasn’t just following his own inclinations here. He didn’t ask himself, “What can I do to promote myself to the top of Egyptian society?” God was central to the revelation he received. His vision started with God, and that revelation was proclaimed for His purposes. God is front and center in a vision.
Discerning the Direction
Second, a vision assumes that God is working. Henry Blackaby popularized the phrase: “Find out what God is doing and get in on it.” This is a central step in pursuing a vision. Once we see where God is working, we draw near to His activity and begin to cooperate with it. This was how the Old Testament prophets operated. They received a word as to how God was working and proclaimed it as such. It is like finding a stream that is flowing freely, then hopping in a canoe and paddling with the current. At this point it is important to listen well and watch closely. You'll see God working over here but not over there. As the vision unfolds, He will open some doors and close others. Watch people and how they are responding and allow that to inform you as your strategy gains clarity. You want to work with the current. Consult your friends who are strong people of faith to gain confirmation as to your overall direction and to gain wisdom in the details of how to get there. So a vision not only sees God as the source of the plan; it fits in with His overall direction and activity.
Receiving Assurance
Third, pursuing a vision comes with a guarantee of divine help. When God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and insist that he let God’s people go, He sent him with the assurance, “I will be with you.” (Ex 3:12) Moses would need that assurance, and he had it when it mattered, time after time, and so will you. Since a dream is more man-centered, it relies more on self-motivation and self-confidence. If you are pursuing a vision, you can rely on this essential additional resource.
A Sobering Reality
But there is another dimension to this dream/vision distinction and it is quite serious: We cannot skirt the fact that we do not have the prerogative to leave God out of our plans—especially our big plans. When we try to do this, we are actually engaging in a dangerous exercise, for Isaiah quotes God Himself as saying, “Woe to [those] who execute a plan, but not My plan.” If we are making our plans in a fashion that is independent of His will, one that does not even consider or acknowledge Him, if we are moving forward without even consulting Him, we should brace for impact. This verse is telling us that God expects us to consult Him and place Him front and center of our plans before we launch or even begin laying them out. It is a hard truth, but dreams can actually incur God's judgment if He is not consulted and given the central place in them.
A Scriptural Exhortation
Perhaps the best Scripture to keep in mind when considering a big plan is the familiar passage Proverbs 3:5–6. This passage has been a favorite of many believers through the years, but it takes on a sharper focus in the original language. Here is the passage, with the emphasis found in the Hebrew italicized:
"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do no lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He Himself will make your paths straight."
This verse captures the difference between a dream and a vision. People pursuing a dream apart from God will do what verse 5 describes—lean on their own understanding. Those pursuing a vision stop to acknowledge God as being central to their lives. They seek Him. They are motivated by His purposes. In short, they put God first, and He Himself makes their paths straight as they move forward.
Wrapping It Up
So the next time someone encourages you to “dream your dream,” determine go to the next level. Ask yourself these questions:
1. Is God just a part of this plan, or better, is He the source of it, is He generating it?
2. Am I roping Him into my will or am I in fact starting to see how I fit into His will?
3. Does this flow with what God is already doing? Does it match His priorities, His heart?
Spend some time seeking God. Be honest with Him and with yourself, placing His purposes above your own ambition. Then move forward.
But don’t lose your focus. Watch for Him to be working, because He most certainly will be.