VISION FOR IMPACT (8)

“...Your YOUNG MEN shall SEE VISIONS” – Joel 2:28b

Renewed youthfulness is a unique reward of Divine VISION for IMPACT: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, YOUNG MEN shall SEE VISIONS” (Joel 2:28). This verse promises that after a time of restoration and outpouring of God's Spirit, sons and daughters will prophesy, older men will dream dreams, and young men will “see” visions. The Holy Spirit has the potential to empower the youth with a fresh vision and calling for impactful life and ministry. When He fills us, we receive visions that defy facts – Visions that look beyond the facts and run counter to reason, while giving meaning to life!

Prophetic pulses show that we are in the days of fulfillment of prophecy, in the season when God’s Spirit has been poured out on all people, particularly to equip and impact youth with visions – divine guidance and revelation, and older generations with dreams, leading to a new generation of leaders with Vision for Impact. It’s time for leaders in the faith, following Christ’s footsteps, to begin to “cast visions.” To cast a vision means to present a clear and powerful picture of a desired future state or goal. It involves articulating an idea, dream, or direction in a way that inspires and motivates others to endeavor to achieve it.

Our Lord Jesus was a vision caster, a visionary leader who cast an inspiring Vision of Life in the Kingdom of God. He knew that things could be different through the transforming and power of the Holy Spirit, and painted a Vision of that for His listeners. For instance, early in ministry, He challenged two Galilean fishermen to leave their nets and become “fishers of men” (Mt.4:19). He spoke so powerfully that Simon Peter and Andrew immediately followed Him. To these two men and multitudes of others, the Lord cast a vision of what life in the Kingdom could be like. He laid out how some things in the future would unfold.

The Lord led people toward realizing cast visions, striking such a responsive chord that remained unfaded with His ascension. Through the centuries, millions have found these visions credible and committed their lives to pursuing and fulfilling them. True disciples of Christ should follow His example of birthing, developing, pursuing, imparting, and passing along visions for the future. Without casting a vision to the youth, the risk is that a ministry will wind up, leaving no lasting sign it was ever there!

Rather than cloud the visions of youth by talking about dreadful storms, winds, and waves, we must feed their great visions with the truth, that despite the challenges, they can keep faith alive in the midst of it all. By casting a vision of what could be, we emulate the essence of Christ's ministry by inspiring hope, promoting transformation, nurturing faith, and increasing Impact!