Vision is important. The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 29:18 that where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained. Of course, that verse's context refers to the prophetic vision that comes from God's Word. And thus, any vision that any leader has for the church of God must be anchored in the Word of God.
It is the Word of God that gives us our mission:
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
But how each church carries out the mission is determined by vision.
Each pastor, therefore, has a vision. Leadership implies direction and vision. If a pastor tells me he has no vision; I don't believe him. Unless he hopes to simply survive Sunday to Sunday, every pastor is trying to shape and guide the church in some direction.
But sometimes, in our drive to lead with vision and experience organizational momentum, we can get impatient.
And sometimes, impatience can cause us to miss opportunities to celebrate and offer thanksgiving to God.
Consider the carving of Mount Rushmore. The famous faces of four past presidents were shaped into the granite of the Black Hills between 1927 and 1941. 14 years!
The vision for the monument first originated with South Dakota’s state historian Doane Robinson. Robinson contacted sculptor Gutzon Borglum who expanded Robinson's original vision from two faces to four. The vision was quite grand as it would be the largest sculpture attempted at that time. There was much fanfare and national attention as the work began in 1927.1
But Borglum knew that he needed to keep the public excited by the project and focused on the overall vision. So instead of waiting until the project was completed to celebrate, Borglum organized a dedication ceremony after each head was completed. Washington was first, of course, as his stone effigy was dedicated on July 4, 1930.
Jefferson was the next head to be completed, but because of some unforeseen weaknesses in some of the stone, adjustments had to be made to move the location of Jefferson's image. But this didn't deter the vision, and Jefferson was finished and celebrated in 1936.
Next came Lincoln, dedicated in 1937, and finally, the sculpture of Roosevelt received the same honor in 1939. Final details and finishing touches were added over the next couple of years, and the whole monument was dedicated on October 31, 1941. The vision had finally come to pass.
There are lessons here for us. Let's call them the Mount Rushmore Rules:
Accept the truth that vision takes a long time to be realized.
Sometimes, vision must be adjusted.
Celebrate milestones to keep the vision fresh for the people.
Celebration is not merely strategic. It's biblical.
Thanksgiving should be part of any celebration, for it is God who both gives the vision and providentially brings it about. And thus, we are commanded in Scripture to be thankful.
Perhaps it is the absence of celebration and thankfulness that causes anxiety to arise in our hearts when the detours and challenges come.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
So, friends, keep moving forward with God's vision on your heart for the ministry you have been tasked to lead. Don't let setbacks deter you; adjust and keep moving. And finally, don't forget to celebrate along the way.