There is a need for a vision for everything that we do. Without a vision we as believers we are unable to accomplish the things that God has for us. God gives us the blueprint to have productive lives and this starts with an image of what is to come. This blueprint is listed in the word of God and is made manifest in our lives when we start to move in the things that God has for us. One of the things that we see in the word of God is to
"Write the vision and engrave it so plainly" (Habakkuk 2:2 AMP)
In this passage of scripture the vision might be a reference to the revelation concerning the imminent Chaldean invasion described in Hab 1:5–11 and the phrase "make it plain" Perhaps indicating that the writing should be large and easy to read quickly. Here we can apply this to our own lives in ensuring that when we are given instructions by the Lord to we quickly write down the things that he is showing us plainly and clearly enough that as we review what he has given and shown us we may apply them to our lives.
God gives us instructions all the time however, many times we are unable to correctly apply them because we have forgotten many of the fundamental aspects of what was given. This flaw can be eliminated by simply writing down what God has shown us. This does not always mean that at the point of receiving the vision we will understand what is being said. However, as clarity is given the message will come into view much more. This brings me to the next point. Without a vision, there is no successful mission.
This can statement can can be looked at like this, "Failure to plan is a plan to fail." What I mean with these two statements is this. Those who start something in God with a vision given will not be able to fully achieve what the Lord has for them. Simply because they are moving without direction. As we look back at Habakkuk 2 and the word of God that came to the prophet. We see that the vision was a warning of an invasion. With the vision being given and understood plans could be made to effectively deal with an upcoming invasion. The calls for endurance in the vision helps guide those who will need to be prepared for what is to come. The preparation is the work that must be done.
Again as we look in Habakkuk chapter 2 we see a statement in verse 3 that stands out for the time that it may take for the vision to be fulfilled. "For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]. God will give us this vision and we will start to prepare (work) faithful trusting and relying on the very word that was given. Even at times coming back to read what was said that we may truly know what is to come to pass. However, this can be a daunting task but also in verse 3 the Lord remind or tell us something true when it comes to what the word that he gives us. First is this, "This vision is yet for a appointed time and though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come." We must continue to do the good work, as it is written "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Gal 6:9.
Understanding that the word "Work" to some stirs up some emotions and feeling. Yes, we are not justified by works nor will works get us into heaven. But the works that we are talking about here is faith. This all has to do with faith. From the faith in believing what the Lord has shown you in the vision, faith in the very mission that you must accomplish and faith in the work that is involved in every aspect of it. We see in James 2:18 ESV "But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Here James implies that faith cannot be demonstrated apart from action. Asserting that once someone has placed faith in God (which is sufficient for salvation) there is no longer a need to do anything good. James disagrees with this showing that works are a natural result of placing faith in God.
My question to you is this. Has God given you a vision and have you written it down? If you so is there a plan to move forward in the things of God which he has given you? Are you willing to, "show your faith by your work?" If so why not start today?
References:
La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Hab 2:2,3; James 2:18). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.