Seeing what is not yet

Proverbs 29:18 says “without a vision, the people perish.” This is another Bible quote that somehow got imbedded in my memory bank and will not leave. This piece of wisdom is not unique to the Bible. The children of Israel were nomads and had contact with a wide variety of clans and tribes. Probably every one of these clans and tribes developed their own collection of wise saying that they passed from generation to generation. Much of the contents in the book of Proverbs can be shown to have roots in Babylon or Egypt. More broadly the Proverb collection can be shown to have roots from all over the near east.

Some people read the words and conclude that a “vision” in the Bible context can be only from God. Other thoughtful people read the words, note the widespread use of the sayings and conclude that visions can come from many different sources and can have a vast number of different meanings and interpretations. I side with those who see a diversity of possible meanings.

And what is a vision? Whether from God, a parent, a friend, an enemy, a government, a church or some unexpected courier, a vision is something that is seen by a person by other than ordinary eye sight. A vision can be either positive or negative. A vision can inspire to positive actions or can lead to horrific acts. In the context in which it is used in the Proverbs passage, to have no vision at all is a formulae for disaster.

The Apostle Paul is my own personal model for the development of a spiritual life. He was an excellent thinker and never left his thinking out of the development of his spiritual life. In a classic passage that he wrote to the Philippian church, he advises “whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about those things.” In Paul’s understanding, thinking is a key aspect of the development of visions of what ought to be.

I have been and am involved in several not-for-profit organizations, including churches. Some have flourished. Others have struggled and even died. As I analyze what has happened, an important factor keeps appearing. The development of a healthy vision. A healthy vision statement leads to a healthy organization and to significant achievement. Because of clear visions of what can be, lives have been changed, careers have been initiated, buildings have been built, degrees have been earned, homeless people have been housed, services have been provided for needy people. The list of positive outcomes go on and on; and the roots of positive achievement has always been found in visions of what ought to be, yet are not.

Being able to see what is not yet is an incredible ability of human beings. It is the basis of all creative thinking. I have pondered the meaning of the words “created in the image of God.” I suspect that seeing what is not yet, might well be a part of our participation in the image of God. It is this ability to see what is not yet, that makes me reject all forms of rigid determinism. As long as I can envision a new day, a new and different outcome, I can never be a victim. Rather I can rise far above what seems inevitable.

I am now a relatively old man. (91) I have lost none of my enthusiasm for embracing and practicing the Christian Faith. Being a follower of Jesus from Nazareth has made sense to me all my life. As a minister I have encouraged people to be more than they presently are. I have encouraged change. I have asked parishioners to envision a new life in Christ. I have urged people to try new things and to consider new options for action. I have guided people to lives that are more productive and satisfying. I have not shied away from Bible language that describes change as being “born again” or “saved.” Changes found in the Christian experience are concrete and real.

Fifty years ago, America was going through a Pentecostal Christian revival. The Pentecostal revival was charged with personal (and sometimes exotic) experiences of tongues and physical healing. My older brother was in the midst of that revival. He and his wife had gone through the experience of a tragic death of their younger, teenage son. They went through a powerful and rejuvenating spiritual experience. My brother became a leader in the Pentecostal Revival among American Baptists. My brother was a PhD, who had a distinguished career as a college professor and university administrator. His Pentecostal experience was genuine, real, and healing. I never doubted its validity. He attempted to draw me into the movement. I did not fit. I did not find the same experiences that meant so much to him.

My spiritual development took a different course. I found spiritual health in the doing of the Gospel. I have found that the doing of good in the name of Christ to be spiritually invigorating. Key to those experiences is having a vision of what God wants his/her people to be and do. Visions of what can be and ought to be is life giving. Without a vision, people perish. With a vision in partnership with Christ, the possibilities are endless.

The End

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska. He is pastor emeritus of Church of the Covenant in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.