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Last week's article dealt with our need of having a proper understanding of who we are in relation to God and what impact that can and should have on our lives; now let's look at some Biblical examples that might help us seek our own vision.

Abraham was told to leave his family, home, business and friends; going to an unknown land where he would live in tents wandering the wilderness. A purifying, reshaping experience for this founding father of a nation and religion.

Moses escaped Egypt through the wilderness, found a family there and lived as a shepherd. He experienced the burning bush, and led his people out of Egypt to a wilderness of their own. Meeting God atop Mt. Sinai, he received the Ten Commandments, wandering forty more years with the now forming nation of Israel. A purging time in the solitude of wilderness, in the trials of seeking and finding God and self, a time of rethinking ideas, re - evaluating ideals, recognizing gods and God for what they really were and realizing God's expectations of them in return.

Joshua experienced the same route of escape through the wilderness; the wandering and transforming as well. As a result he succeeded Moses in Godly leadership of this new nation.

Caleb was sent into the new land to spy it out, to envision the possibilities and set military goals. In contrast to others he saw not only what was but what could be.

Gideon prayed over his fleece and demanded an answer; a promise of guidance. He tested God for proof because He had to know!!

Elijah prophesied no rain as punishment for disbelief and as a sign of Jehovah's power. He went to the wilderness where he was fed by a raven and drank from a brook - for three years there was no rain. The issue was finally settled on Mt. Carmel with fire from heaven, Baal's defeat - victory and rain.

But then curiously came fear and depression. Exhausted both physically and emotionally, Elijah fell victim to an oft - repeated pattern of personal defeat after visible, public victory. But the mode of relief God blessed him with is no less common and worthy of note. He led him to a place of solitude, took care of his physical needs, allowing him to recover emotionally; to regroup, revitalize, re - envision. And then he challenged him to go back after it - to go back to work.

David tended sheep, became a warrior hero, was chased into the wilderness by Saul where he gathered his thoughts, acquiring a vision of who he was and what he could become. In the process he inspired a following, and became a king.

Isaiah was in quiet reflection in the temple - seeking. He saw God who challenged him with the question, "Who will go for us?" (To deliver a message to the people.)

Ezekiel was praying on the banks of the Kebar River, in exile in Babylon. God came, blessed him with wisdom and a mission to prepare the people for active Godly living by strengthening and fortifying them with a vision of the one true God.

Jeremiah exclaimed that the word of God, once found, was like a fire in his bones - ready to burst forth from him - it had to be released. 'I can't not speak it.'

Hezekiah was a Godly man who became arrogant, rash and sick. As he lay perilously ill and close to death, he re-evaluated where he had been, where he was and where he wanted to be. He was granted extension of life for himself and the country.

Yet this raises more questions. Can a vision be forced on us; will God make us see and comprehend or does he merely prod us in the direction we need to go? Do we have to respond? If we are as wise as we often claim to be, we will. But in truth we always respond, no answer being an answer of no.

Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days and nights; bringing him personally face to face with an evaluation of right and wrong. Did he question - Where shall I go, What shall I do? Did he compare opportunities to be served as opposed to serving? Did he reaffirm his conviction to do his father's will rather than his own? It's interesting and worth noting that all throughout Jesus' earthly ministry he was many times off alone praying or with his closest followers in prayer. To re-center, to re-focus his will with God's; to re-envision the mission?

Paul on the way to Damascus was struck by holy light. He waited, prayed, talked with believers. He then spent three years in Arabia studying, training and preparing; more fully gaining a vision and the means to live it.

Peter before his journey to the Gentile house of Cornelius, dreamt of unclean animals made clean by God, and started his ministry to the lost among the Gentiles as a result of his new vision of man.

The twelve Apostles often alone with Jesus, usually out in the desert. Secluded, quiet, peaceful, without distraction - to talk, listen and question; acquiring a vision and being equipped to share it. There they relived victories and defeats, set and re-set goals and discussed strategy, while praying for guidance, understanding and power.

So where do we go, how do we seek our vision? Is it in a wilderness, or can our bedroom, the car, our church or back yard do? Sometimes our wilderness will be found in attending school away from home, in a new town or state. Finding a new church, new friends, struggles with new ideas, new temptations and new opportunities may qualify as our wilderness wandering. Finding a new vision of ourselves as independent people can be difficult as we re-set goals and experience success and failure, forcing us to re-evaluate our abilities and expectations of life. The important thing to remember is - wherever you are, whatever you are doing - go to God expecting him to be there, knowing he wants to help and bless.

All the Biblical examples of Godly men listed above expressed not only a desire to be shown the way but a willingness then to follow it at all costs. That's vision! "...I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us ' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" - Isaiah 6:8

"Bible verse and quote" from Jan Couns

Bible and Quote - March 11-15