YPD Vision
By Amaria Phillips, Assistant Recording Secretary, Connectional YPD
It’s a new year and decade! How exciting is that? It is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, yet all the same book. The scary question is “What will this year bring?” What can we expect? Will it be good or bad? Will it be productive or unfruitful?
Allow me to break down the typical start to a new year. Usually in the first month, many will begin writing their New Year’s resolutions which might include things like traveling, going to the gym, and everyone’s need to save more money. Others will probably plan out their personal goals to accomplish this year while few won’t even bother to plan their “to do” lists.
A lot of us fear not having a good and productive year so what do we do? We plan! Though all of that planning can be helpful, frankly, there will be something missing.
The best way to kick off the New Year is not by making your own plans but seeking God’s plans. In other words, try to not do your way but God’s way.
The mistake we often make as Christians when the year begins is that we seek our will over God’s. Then we wonder why things don’t work out the way we hoped. This year, let’s try to change and do things differently. Let’s use our God-given 20/20 vision to have the year of clarity God wants us to have.
As this year continues to unravel, God has so much in store for us all across the AME Church. There are things to be done in the kingdom, including souls to be saved, missions to be accomplished, and more visions. However, we need to be able to see them and act on them once God gives us the dream and go! What is stopping you? We have the resources and support to do great things. If people like our great Richard Allen didn’t have a vision for this church and weren’t committed to seeing it come to pass, we wouldn’t have our Connectional denomination. Remember, where there’s a vision, God will make the provision. Try it God’s way and watch Him work things out for your good and His glory.
Attention! It is important to realize that when God gives you a vision or a dream, be careful who you tell. People can plot to stop your dream and what they say can discourage you from believing in the vision. As a result, they can stop it from ever coming to pass. Such people are called dream-killers or vision-killers. They make you doubt the vision God has given to you. Dismiss it immediately! Don’t allow what people say to kill your dreams.
Scripture tells us that Joseph dreamed a dream; and because of that dream, his brothers plotted to get rid of him. They believed they had succeeded but God was on Joseph’s side and their plans failed. His dream became a reality.
Sometimes people can’t see through your lens merely because the prescription isn’t for them. It is for you and only you can see it. Furthermore, you’ve got to hold on to that vision and fulfill what God has planned for your life.
God wants to reveal so much to His people but we have to be able to see it. There are many things, seen and unseen, in which to pay attention. Make sure your spiritual vision is always 20/20 to be able to see the traps from a distance. It will allow you to make the necessary U-turns along the way.
As a leader, it is hard to have a vision that people around you will all be able to see and agree on. However, all organizations, leaders, and stakeholders should be encouraged. It is important to see God’s vision and fulfill it. Some might not be able to see what God is showing you but as long as you know it is from God, do it and achieve it! Welcome to the new decade.
