Vision Actualization through Spiritual Disciplines

VISION ACTUALIZATION THROUGH SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES by John Kigada Introduction [6/23/2015 Original] Pastor Fred Kilonzo says “very few people in their sunset years can say they were obedient to God’s purpose for their lives. The biggest puzzle in life is to find out God’s purpose and live it.” How do we actualize our purpose (synonymous with vision in this article)? Vision What is vision? 1. According to George Manning and Kent Curtis, “the word vision… suggests a future orientation, implies a standard of excellence or virtuous condition, and has the quality of uniqueness. Vision is an ideal image of what could and should be.” 2. Bill Hybels states “vision is a picture of the future tha t produces passion.” 3. Howard G. Hendricks declares “a vision is a menta l picture of a desired future state, the ultimate goal.” Where does vision come from? 1. Henry and Richard Blackaby emphasize “the world functions by vision; God’s people live by revelation. Vision is something people produce; revelation is something people receive [from God].” 2. Biblically, vision is synonymous with revelation, i.e., seeing what God wants you to see. 3. For believers, vision should come from God (confer 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, 14, 16). 4. Christians unlike non - Christians have access to the mind of God. 5. Sinners are separated from God by our sins therefore; they do not have access to God’s plan for their lives. 6. Without being a Christian, we are unable to know God’s plan for our lives today. 7. Our mental faculties, emotions, and thoughts are influenced heavily by moral evil. 1 8. Anthony D’ Souza claims “to develop and sustain the vision, a leader needs time and a quite place for reflection.” Actualization 1. Vision is actualized when a Christian uses classical disciplines of the Christian tradition such as prayer, study, fasting, and others under the grace of God. 2. In spiritual formation, grace-faith transformation takes place as believers become what God wants them to be, so that they can reach where He wants them to go. 3. Believers can find out God’s will for their lives by accessing God’s mind through spiritual disciplines. 4. Because of our sinful nature, spiritual warfare must be engaged to enable us to actualize our vision. 5. Arthur C. Custance says, “the fundamental hindrance to [the] maturin g process is the self which must have its way. 6. Actualization of our vision is pegged on our character. 7. By grace through faith, our character can be developed through spiritual disciplines. 8. Spiritual formation is imperative to accomplish success in God’s eyes. 9. In order to succeed, a Christian leader must be transformed spiritually, to suit his or her God given purpose or calling. 10. Vision is actualized when a Christian uses classical disciplines of the Christian tradition under the grace of God. 11. Dennis E. White explains that “success is doing what God wants you to do.” 12. Ultimately, only God can determine who is successful. 13. Cyril Barber and Gary Strauss affirm man is created and dependent upon God for his life and is not self-determining. 14. Anthony D’Souza states, “your vision will be uniquely your own.” 2 15. John Storey asserts a leader must have a clear vision and direction which he/ she engages various stakeholders in developing. 16. Brent Earles states “sin is the greatest threat to bec oming the best you.” Spiritual Disciplines “God wants our hearts, not just our verbal allegiance, and He desires that our affections be wholly His. Developing the disciplined practices that lead to this kind of life must be a high priority,” according to K. R. Iverson.i These disciplined practices include regular: seclusion for times of quiet and stillness, meditation on Scriptures, and singing of praise songs, for example. 1. Ranald Macaulay and Jerram Barrs state we no longer reflect God’s perfect moral character b ecause of the Fall of Adam and Eve. 2. Simon Chan asserts we should recognize any movement toward God is by grace. 3. Lewis Sperry Chafer declares the unsaved have no access to God in prayer. 4. Christians can access the mind of God through spiritual disciplines. 5. John M. Dettoni says [spiritual] disciplines are the catalyst for, but not the cause of, spiritual transformation. Spiritual change comes from God alone thus emphasis should be placed on God’s grace. 6. Bill Hybels suggests “leaders must devote themselves…trusting that their spiritual discipline and their hard work will be rewarded with a vision that will impassion them and inspire others.” 7. Bill Hull asserts “the spiritual habits, or disciplines, have a rich history…writers have identified twelve to twenty disciplines. A fairly comprehensive list includes bible reading, mediation, scripture memorization, prayer, worship, evangelism, service, stewardship, fasting, silence, solitude, journaling, submission, and frugality.” 8. David S. Dockery and David P. Gushee exclaim “disciplined nonconformity is not worldly asceticism [severe self-discipline] but trust in Christ and reliance on the Spirit.” 3 9. Jonathan Morrow says “[spiritual] disciplines are not the end goal but the means [to godliness]. Practicing the disciplines creates a context and opportunity for the Spirit to work in our lives.” 10. Bill Hull quotes philosophy professor Dallas Willard as noting “the practice of the spiritual disciplines [is] essential to the deliverance of human beings from the concrete power of sin.” 11. Richard J. Foster asserts the [spiritual] disciplines put us where [God] can work within us and transform us. By themselves the spiritual disciplines can do nothing. They are God’s means of grace. 12. Mel Lawrenz articulates “spiritual formation is the progressive patterning of a person’s inner and outer life according to the image of Christ through intentional means of spiritual growth.” 13. James M. Houston says there is a need for reading meditatively and prayerfully for spiritual nourishment and growth. 14. Mel Lawrenz articulates that issues of temperament and past experience as well as philosophy and theology influence our approach [to spiritual life]. 15. Catherine Stonehouse states, “healthy psychosocial development… sets the stage for a relationship with God.” 16. Charles Caldwell Ryrie says we should “learn contentment in the will of God in every circumstance of life.” 17. How we handle finances reflects our relationship with God. BIBLIOGRAPHY _______________Glossary, TNIV Church Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: The Zondervan Corporation, 2005. Adair, John. Effective Strategic Leadership. London: Macmillan, 2002. Barber, Cyril J. and Gary H. Strauss. 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