Carrying the Vision

Carrying the Vision

As we reach this time of year, especially with Valentine’s Day approaching, our thoughts often turn toward relationships. We think about love, commitment, and those we cherish most. While these reflections are not focused solely on marriage, my prayer is that they still bring value to every relationship God has entrusted to us.

At the beginning of each year, I intentionally read through the book of Proverbs. This year, I found myself lingering over a particular passage:

“Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.  
He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.
The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will be thrown down.
He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.
He who winks the eye causes trouble, And a babbling fool will be thrown down.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.”
Proverbs 10:4–12

Recently, someone stopped by my house and commented on the various construction skills I’ve picked up over the years. They asked where I learned them, and my response was simple: experience is the best teacher. But I didn’t mean learning by trial and error alone.

Growing up on a farm, different tradesmen were often brought in to do work—and I was the “cheap labor.” That may not sound glamorous, but it gave me hands-on training at a young age in plumbing, electrical work, construction, welding, and more. Those early fundamentals grew into confidence, resilience, and a deep satisfaction in seeing something built the right way.

I share this not to boast, but to illustrate something deeper. Those natural experiences taught me two critical lessons. First, how to carry a vision. Sometimes problems demand immediate attention—a burst pipe can’t wait. Other times, the task requires long-term planning, patience, and order, like constructing a building. Second, I learned the importance of regularly assessing progress. Different situations require different responses, but all of them require diligence.

When I reflect on these verses in Proverbs, I see how clearly they apply to my own life. Without training, my life was a mess. Even with some effort, my success was limited. It wasn’t until I fully surrendered my life to Jesus Christ that everything changed. For the first time, I caught a vision of who God created me to be. I began to understand that the choices and responses I make today shape the outcome of tomorrow.

An outburst of anger may feel momentarily relieving, but its long-term damage is real—for me and for others. When I bring that “burst pipe” to God first, the outcome is entirely different. Peace replaces chaos. Confidence replaces fear. Healing, wisdom, and understanding begin to flow—just as Proverbs promises.

The most powerful truth in all of this is that I cannot take credit for the change. God alone deserves the glory. Our lives, marriages, churches, communities, and world are in desperate need of this kind of surrendered living.

May God bless each person who chooses to rely on Him in every situation.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Dan