Your’s or God’s

"Epiphany immediately follows Christmastide and its recollection of the birth of Jesus…It is the story of the visit of scholars from a distant land to honor a new born child who would be important to the whole human race. Epiphany is a time for expanding the vision of Christian people."


Got this quote second hand from Asbury Seminary's site via another website.  The question that always strikes me about vision is:  mine or God's?  For us to know it is God's vision, I believe three things (at least) come into play.

1)  too large for us to do it on our own.  God sized visions are challenges that stretch us well beyond our physical, emotion, and/or spiritual boundaries.  God's vision is undoable in our mind.

2)  not something we would have "naturally" chosen to do.  Not always, but many times, you can tell if it is God's vision if you are being led to do something you wouldn't normally do or even think of doing.  In my life, it is leaving Merrill Lynch (not a bad thing now), and going to Seminary.  No way that was my path…no way.

3)  aligns with the Bible.  Want to know what pure wisdom from above us.  Check out this passage from James 3: 

3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.21 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 3:15 Such22 wisdom does not come23 from above but is earthly, natural,24 demonic. 3:16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating,25 full of mercy and good fruit,26impartial, and not hypocritical.27 3:18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness28 is planted29 in peace among30those who make peace.


OJ's attorneys said, "if it doesn't fit, you must acquit."  What I am saying is this, "if it doesn't align with Scripture, run away and fast."

Vision is a great thing…if it is God's.