"Where there is no vision, the people perish..." (Prov. 29:18).

Vision is the sense of sight, but it is also the power to perceive in your heart what is not yet manifested in the natural realm. Vision can be a goal in your heart - something you want to accomplish in the future - or it can be a supernatural vision or dream God put in your heart.

Some people call "vision" goal-setting. When you have a vision for something you want to achieve, you set goals to attain it. Having a vision will help you succeed in life!

Use God's Word to see yourself as a success in life, and as a result, receive whatever you need from God. Once you find scriptures in the Word that promise you what you desire, meditate on those scriptures until they become real in your heart and mind. And then act in faith to bring those goals and dreams to pass.

You can talk about your vision and your plan of action to bring your vision to pass, but the time will come when you must step out in faith. Until you commit to bring your dreams to pass, your goals will probably remain just that - dreams.

Some people have no plans, no goals, and no dreams. They get up in the morning, go to work, come home - and that's the extent of their lives. They just do the same thing over and over again without any thought for the future, without even planning for the future. Really, they aren't living; they are just existing. They may have dreams in their hearts, but they haven't done anything to bring those dreams to pass.

You see, you've got to be committed to do your part to bring the dream God gave you to pass. And God will do His part. It will take your commitment not only in the spiritual realm, but also in the natural realm. Determination, discipline, and perseverance are all needed to accomplish your dream.

The Bible mentions the person who just talks but doesn't put any action to his faith. Faith without works is dead (James 2:20,26). And then the person who starts to take action but wavers is called double-minded. Because he wavers back and forth, he doesn't accomplish anything.

You'll have to put some action to the dream God gave you! Your vision must dominate your life. You won't be able to accomplish your dreams if you just float through life with no plan or purpose for the things you do. If you haven't set any goals to succeed, you probably won't succeed. Take time to analyze your goals. Then determine a plan - the best way to bring those goals to pass.

People are dominated by some kind of vision, whether they realize it or not. Some people allow negative things to dominate them. Others allow their God-given dreams to motivate them, and they work with God to bring that vision to pass.

You can have the most wonderful dream from God burning in your heart, but if you don't do anything in the natural to prepare for that dream, nothing will happen. God is always faithful to do His part! So what are you going to do with the dream God gave you?

Source: From a Pastor's Heart by Kenneth E. Hagin. Jr.
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications