Articles
A Man With Vision...
Strong men have vision. They look to the future, anticipate needs, plan for inevitable pitfalls, and chart a course that will lead the church, their families, and their souls to glory. Having vision means looking ahead instead of always looking back at the past. “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). We have to admit that problems in life will occur: marriages will hit bumps, children will get into trouble, jobs will be lost, church members will lose faith at times, etc. But the truly wise man does not spend his time worrying about all of the mistakes he has made, or the people who have sinned against him. Rather, he devotes his time to spiritual growth to ensure that the mistakes do not happen again. Not only that, but he keeps his focus on a goal, whether physical or spiritual:
A man with vision will see problems in his marriage early on before they eat away at him or his spouse. What will his marriage be like in ten years if things continue the way they are?
A visionary plans ahead how he will deal with disciplinary problems before his children get into trouble. Knowing what you will do in each situation will help make your discipline more consistent and meaningful.
The father of the son in Proverbs dealt with some tough subjects far in advance: Proverbs 1:10-19, 6:1-5, 6:24-7:27.
Visionaries try to picture themselves as deacons or elders, even if they are not qualified at the time. What do you need to do as a man to make yourself more qualified?
Men need to deal with conflicts before they are allowed to stew and fester. “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).
What kind of husband will I be when my wife and I experience major physical changes, such as our appearance, health, or fitness? How can I prepare myself for that now, so that when it happens I will be remembered by her for my love, patience, and unwavering devotion? I need to remember that we are both aging together.
How can I manage my career goals so that I am available as a loving, sensitive father while my children struggle through their teenage years?
A man with vision thinks about what the church will be like years down the road, and things he can do now to ensure a safe, sound, strong future for the local congregation.
