The Isaiah Vision

Visions come in various forms and manifestations. Their forms may range from a theophanies to an intuitive inspiration. They are not always necessarily mystical in nature nor should they be expected to be. Their form is immaterial; what is essential is the fact that they have and do come.

God gives a vision as the initiating factor, the motivating force, the defining features and the continual focus of any ministry to which He assigns us.

There is much that can be gleaned from the Isaiah model. Intrinsic in it are the steps which are foundational to the development of any effective ministry. To bypass any of the steps exemplified by this scripture in the development of a ministry will be to end in ultimate frustration and defeat.

Isaiah's vision of Jesus. More important than having a physical manifestation or mystical experience is the revelation in the inner man as to who Jesus is. We will never rise higher nor go further than the degree of our revelation of Jesus. We are ultimately limited by and to our perception of Him. We must see Who He is and What He is before we will be motivated to do, and can see how we can do, what He asks.

Isaiah's view of himself. It can be a devastating experience to finally sweep aside all of the facade, pretensions, excuses and rationalizations and have a clear view of ourselves. Isaiah experienced precisely that. In previous chapters he had expounded in a very scathing fashion on the sins of his people. Suddenly, he was brought face to face with himself.

The James agenda in James 4:6-10 vividly describes the steps of purging which a person should experience who is serious about his vision and calling: humbling of one's self, dismantling the work of the devil, confession of known sin, bringing focus back into life through forgiveness of others and submitting to the Lordship of Jesus. All of these very necessary steps will produce the freedom of the inner man and liberate us to be consumed with Him and not ourselves.

Isaiah's revelation of the needs of people. When we have our lives in order we will be led to see beyond the behavior of people to the deepest needs of their lives. A proper vision may include but should not be governed by or geared to the mechanical aspects of the ministry: buildings, budgets and a blossoming membership role. These are results and shouldn't be motivations. Jesus always led us to see the hurting, hungry masses who throng the byways of our lives. In some way a passion for people must drive our visions.

When we have eyes to see the world around us with its terribly dysfunctional and destructive features, we will see the hearts of the lost and the undone. Like Isaiah, we will find ourselves saying, "Here am I, Lord, send me."

Your vision should be:

• higher than you can accomplish,


• broader than you can encompass, and


• beyond all that you can comprehend.

Begin seeking His vision for your life today.

Bless you as you seek Him,

Jeff