A program is written with the end in view. What you can’t see with the eyes of your mind, you can neither access nor achieve. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you…to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11
God created man with the ability to see, in other to set hope and empowerment for the future. Imagine what the world would look like if we were born without sight! God always sees the end, he has given us the power of imagination, the illumination with which we could to see ahead.
A man could endure any hardship because of what is set ahead of him. Vision shapes our behavior and energizes us for tomorrow. Vision is more than just dreaming but putting reality into picture form before it is handled. One of the greatest ability a leader must possess is to set a vision of hope and possibilities before the people being led. Vision constrains, compels, and empowers. In vision, all our energy is focused to achieve a goal set ahead.
Today, the world is ruined with all manners of vices and troubles amidst the abundances naturally given in creation, because many leaders operate without vision. Nothing can be achieved without vision. Vision is the power a leader gives to the followers to achieve greatness.
Leadership is all about influence, since the true leader cannot coerce or force their followers, the power he exercises is a compelling vision over his followers. The population is yearning for visionary leaders to take them into the future of their dreams. Political leaders mostly canvass for people’s vote to only win elections, and in most cases go contrary to their promise after they come into office.
God has given us the ability to see, many times He will ask, “What do you see?” Because He expects us to see. “Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me saying… What do you see”? Jeremiah 1:11
As Mark Villareal says, “A Mission Statement is your purpose, and a Vision Statement is what you are driving to.” We must be intentional while driving to a destination despite the challenges that stands on the way. Little wonder, we are enjoined to continually look unto the greatest Model of all time – Jesus – who for the joy that was set before Him despised the shame and endured the cross (See Hebrews 12:2). Every leader must be adventurously visionary with his mind on the goal and yet giving timely attention to the step-by-step processes involved to reaching that goal.
Think forward, see forward, Move forward! And courageously make strategies. When we see forward, leadership will be able to achieve great things, bringing transformation to societies and the entire nation. The words of Germany Kent will be a good way to conclude, “Start today creating a vision for yourself, your life, and your career. Bounce back from adversity and create what you want, rebuild and rebrand. Tell yourself it’s possible along the way, have patience, and maintain peace with yourself during the process.”
One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead (Philippians 3:13), was the motivation of Paul in the Bible. Let’s be challenged to press on for better days are ahead.
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Michael Okuneye is a certified Facilitator with Lead like Jesus and also the African Representative. Experienced with missions and leadership matters since 1993. He is the Executive Director of Livingword Global leadership Mission; served as a missionary in Niger, Chad and in Nigeria where he resides, training Church Planters and Community Champions to build stronger and transformational churches in Africa. Having raised and trained many leaders in several nations, it has given him the voice in Leadership matters in Nigeria. He served as the Assistant to the National director of Bible league in Chad, later rose to National Head of Operations of Bible League Nigeria before proceeding to advance the course of Leadership and Mission. He is currently the Coordinator of the Teens Church in his local assembly where he raises leaders. As a great motivator, he has encouraged many, coupled with his unique approach to coaching and mentoring lives in diverse fields of specialization, more than 10,000 lives have been affected by his leadership. He is also championing the cause of community development in rural areas for positive changes. He is married to Titilope his best friend and they are blessed with five boys.
