How to Distinguish Vision from Strategies, Plans, and Methods

 Vision comes from God and has to do with purpose.  It is greater than what you do or how you are to do something.  Vision is the announcement of why you live; it portrays your destiny in life.  Vision is a passion that does not pale.  Strategies, plans, and methods come and go; vision is indelible.  Vision is like a craftsman, and the strategies, plans, and methods are just the tools in his hand.  The craftsman’s tools wear out and are replaced.  A strategy, plan, or method without vision is like a borrowed tool; it does not make you a craftsman.

Strategies, plans, and methods are rarely anointed outside of God-given vision.  By themselves, they are no more effective than your recording of a $500 deposit into your checkbook without actually making the deposit.  It just generates confusion.

On the other hand, if someone just rambles on about a so-called vision but never accomplishes anything, he is either deceived or lazy.  God never awards vision without adequate strategy and passion to accomplish it.

  Vision is personal and subject to the will of God.  God’s will always has a proper time, place, and person and cannot be delegated; on the other hand, strategies are always impersonal and can be delegated.  Vision is like the horizon, ever in front of you, but never reached; strategy is like the vehicle that carries you toward the horizon.  If you can fulfill your vision within your lifetime, then it is not your vision; it is simply a task (step) within your vision.