Tom Barnard

“Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint.”

(Proverbs 29:18 RV)

“There is a difference between an ideal and a vision.

An ideal has no moral inspiration; a vision has.”

Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest)

If I had to choose between embracing a vision and embracing an ideal, I’ll take vision. As Oswald Chambers observed, “When once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless, we cast off certain restraints, we cast off praying, we cast off the vision of God in little things, and begin to act on our own initiative.”

I have known people who enthusiastically held to their ideals but who rarely did anything else worth mentioning. They argue their positions on theology and level harsh criticism against any who disagree with them. They pull their teenagers out of attending the church of their choice because the pastor uses a translation of the Bible that is different than the one they prefer. The late Edward John Carnell called this type of thinking “the cultic mind.”

Ideals are important. They represent our goals, our principles, and our sense of values. But they may or may not represent a vision given to us by God. They may represent our culture, but they may not be supported by Scripture. I like the rendering of Proverbs 29:18 as recorded in The Message:

“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.”

Heavenly Father, I can’t think of anything I want more than knowing you and your will for my life. I pray that you will give me a vision of what you see for me, for my family, for my church, and for my country. Grant me the gift to see other people as you see them. Specifically, give me a heart for people who have lost their way and who turn to me for guidance. Let me love them as you love them—care for them as you care for them. And help me build a set of ideals that are based on a revelation you have given me through your Word. In Jesus’ strong name I pray. Amen.