Vision Casting (Part I) by Carolyn Ward
Vision Casting
In this series, I want to discuss:
|
Vision Casting
|
|
The Seed
|
|
Gestation
|
|
Nurturing
|
|
Do Not Abort!
|
|
Getting Into Position
|
|
PUSH!
|
Vision Casting
I was at a women's weekend retreat recently and the guest speaker asked each person to describe one of our gifts or talents in one word. I prayed silently and asked God to help me come up with one word or phrase that would describe the full spectrum of what He had, over the years, poured into me. He spoke to my heart: "Vision Casting"; something I had never heard before. He did not answer me then, but, has in the past two months been giving me His definition of vision casting.
God's definition: A vision caster is one who takes a vision or dream seed that I planted and casts their bread upon the waters. They do not know the meaning of retreat...they are dogged in following after Me...Going out and making disciples, saying in effect to those who do not understand, 'Didn't you know that I would be about my Father's business?'. They will not stop until the dream, the vision, has come to pass; (and even before it does, they are seeking their next assignment). No matter how many trials, circumstances or turbulent storms they find themselves in, they take to heart that I said to go to the other side. Vision Castors see what I see: the end from the beginning.
As God gave me this definition, I could see myself. However, I saw also that I was not born with all the attributes He ascribed to me. It took time to mature and grow to that stature. The Bible says that Jesus grew in stature and favor with God and man. So, I took comfort in the process. So can you. As you, seeing as He sees, fulfill His work through you.
Vision Casters are:
Hearers: They hear the call of God and submit to it.
Doers: They run with the vision no matter what comes against them for doing so.
Believers: They believe that what God said He will do despite the odds.
Mentors: They vision cast for others!
The Seed
Only the beginning
A seed in the ground
A hope in the heart
A vision of the soul
****************
Planted and pressed
Deep in the soil
Unseen and unnoticed
Beginning its toil
****************
The toil of germination
Breaks open the seed
Bent on its course
That I have decreed
****************
With no fear or worry
Developing, it takes root
With no hand wringing cares
Of ‘oh God, what am I to do'
****************
Without hesitation
It grows through the dark
Evolving and Sprouting
Till it's tunneled its mark
****************
It creases through the earth
A green tender shoot
Pushing unstrained
Deeper; it roots
****************
Two ways does it stretch
Season after season
Staying the course decreed
For no other reason
****************
And so the seed of small beginnings
Persistent and resolved
Dying to self
Fulfilled its call
****************
And you are that seed
I planted in the earth
For you are indeed soil
Where I sowed My Word
****************
Each person is sown
In varying degrees
An assorted harvest
To feed My sheep
****************
©2007 Carolyn D. Ward
Gestation
"All Scripture is profitable for our use, and from the work of the Holy Spirit in and through Mary, we may find His way at work in and through us as well, for
God is no respecter of persons."
Mary, the mother of our Lord, Jesus, was a true vision castor. She received a word of promise and immediately her feet hit the floor running.
This is what God is and has always looked for in any person willing to be used for His glory and the fulfilling of His plan for humanity.
The Holy Spirit overshadows us and we conceive the thing God would birth in our hearts for His purpose of carrying forth the Great Commission Jesus, the Son of God gave us. All Scripture is profitable for our use and from the work of the Holy Spirit in and through Mary, we may find His way at work in and through us as well, for God is not a respecter of persons.
After the seed of God's promise was gestated in Mary, we find immediately that it was tested and tried. She told Joseph.
Now, the Bible does not say anything about Joseph's reaction to Mary, but it does tell us that he planned to divorce her privately. He knew that he had not impregnated her, viewing the course from a natural standpoint. So, Mary obviously did not falter at this, but maintained her joy and went to see Elisabeth.
After her Promise went back to the Father, again, we find this great vision caster, Mary, in the Upper Room awaiting another of God's promises, the Holy Spirit. Waiting is the 'great room' of gestation.