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My palms were sweaty, head a little dizzy. Walking into my banker's office produced anxiety that would rival child birth. (Don't tell your gals about this). I was there to do what all thriving businessmen do, ask for money to grow my business. As I told them what I thought were my best reasons for them to invest in me, the dim reflection of hollow, empty eye sockets was enough to discern their answer. Reminding me of my 5th grade school teacher, the banker explained that banks are not in the business of risk. No matter how successful an idea is, if the owner cannot provide a clear vision and written plan they will not invest in any way. While my disappointment was huge, I knew they were right. They made me do something that was extremely hard and frustrating, but sorely needed. They required my vision on paper that I may run with it. Habakkuk 2:2 They made me submit to their system of success, whether I liked it or not. You see, these men knew that if I was too lazy to take the time to write the vision and think it through, I was not to be trusted with their money. They knew a clear vision, along with the courage to follow through, dramatically increased my chances of success. John Maxwell says, "Vision is everything for a leader. It is utterly indispensable." People need to be shown the vision, clearly, credibly and continually. Vision answers the question of where God has you going. Vision strengthens stretches and satisfies your team when up looks down and down looks up. Now I know you're thinking, "I have heard this before from every success guru on the planet. Not again please?" Yes, I concede you have. The self-help community is full of "What the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve." But here is where we part ways with Napoleon Hill's secular motivation. Any person has the right to pursue his own dreams and goals while making a living and working as hard as possible to develop a vision that will carry him and his team there. But for those of us who have given our lives to Christ, we lose that right. Remember we are not our own. Jesus has bought us with His blood and sacrifice at the Cross. Honoring God means seeking His vision and purpose for our lives. As Rick Warren says in The Purpose Driven Life, "It's not about us, it's about what God wants. You did not create you, so how do you know what you were made for." We were re-created with His purposes in mind and until His vision and our follow through meet, our souls will remain empty. With that in mind we can confidently say, "A vision of God is always for God, where as a vision for God is not always of God. In other words, what God wants you to do will always glorify Him. However, at times the things we claim are for God may only be for us. The lesson that the bankers taught me, I found, applies even more to God's plans when leading His Church and its people. The Bible makes it plain saying, "With out vision the people perish." Proverbs 29:18 The Message paraphrases it: "If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed." This frequently quoted verse speaks of vision as "redemptive revelation of God.". In other words, God is giving an individual or group communication of what He would like done for Him and His people. Vision originates with God as He reveals it through the Holy Spirit, Scripture and Man. Most visions are initially caught from other believers who lay the foundational floor upon which God builds as He creates in you the desire to do it. Philippians 2:13 Your vision many times is captured from a mentor, Pastor or leader whose job it is to cast the dream unto you. This pattern for vision casting is sown throughout scripture. More times than not your personal vision will also involve some discontentment or failure from your past. The frustration I experienced while in the desert of conversion was enough to feel something was not right with this so called new life. 5 years into my walk I was wondering, "Where's the beef, Lord?" No joy. No power. "New creation what!" I sought God and mentors for help in my discipleship, which in turn birthed the vision for God4me Men's Ministries (Christian Leadership and Discipleship). Vision was then communicated further by Bill McCartney and Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, both great visionaries. For this reason, the first of the Five Languages of Leadership ™ is vision casting. Its one thing receiving and understanding it, but how well you communicate it to those you seek to influence will determine the time in which you accomplish your dream. Moses knew what God wanted to do, but what a deal God had in getting Moses to share the vision of deliverance from Egypt. (Read Exodus 3 and 4 for a good laugh.) The truth of scripture (Proverbs 29:18) is tragically revealed when a man fails to clearly communicate his vision for family, business or organization. Your time in prayer as well as associating with visionaries will help you greatly. Your spirit filled passion will be the greatest ally in casting vision as God builds upon His grace and love for you. He will only give what you are ready to receive and then give onto others while you master the Language of Vision Casting. Yes, there are seasons when the fog is so thick your vision is at best a blur. Pencil your plans. Etch your vision in stone as plans change but vision remains. Whoever paints the clearest picture will ultimately be the leader called to achieve God's vision. Know that God will never allow you to be driven lower than your knees. Stay steady. Stay the course. Cast the Vision. To learn more about "The Five Languages of Leadership"™ Workshop, contact God4me Ministries at customerservice@God4me.com. God4me Men's Network is a National alliance of Churches and Men's groups systematically training and assisting men in their pursuit of significance and purpose. "Discipleship Boot camps" are forums to provide encouragement, instruction and fellowship for the transformed man. Anointed speakers help men replace the lies of the world with Biblical truth. Upbeat and practical topics such as "Brainwashed", "A Man's Wild Heart", "The Purpose-Driven Man", and "As a Man Thinketh" are presented in a user friendly environment where men are free to "hear and respond". Movie clips and skits are used expressing the practicality of the topics. Food is served for time in fellowship, and short interactive workshops create a dynamic effective arena for change in men. Please visit Invasion for up to date information on events. 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