Crafting a vision statement isn't new, but most of us haven't thought about it outside of the corporate world. But when you think of what a vision is it makes perfect sense that you would want a clear picture of at least these three areas of life: marriage, family, and career.
Here is my completely nontechnical definition of a vision. A vision is a picture of what could be and should be. A vision is a clear picture of your preferred future. That means it is like looking at a picture - you can describe it in detail. Vision is important because your clear picture of the future gives direction, creates passion, which fuels determination. Without vision nothing worthwhile happens. Unfortunately countless couples have no vision for their financial future and when they come to the end of their working years there is nothing in the bank. Unfortunately countless couples have no vision for their marriage. Years drift by and couples drift apart.
Andy Stanley writes in his book, Visioneering, "And let's face it, much of what we do doesn't matter much when evaluated apart from some larger context of purpose. But take the minutia of this very day, drop it into the cauldron of God-ordained vision, stir them around, and suddenly there is purpose! Meaning! Adrenaline! It is the difference between filling bags with dirt and building a dike in order to save a town. There's nothing glamorous or fulfilling about filling bags with dirt. But saving a city is another thing altogether. building a dike gives meaning to the chore of filling bags with dirt. And so it is with vision." Suddenly, when you have vision, the mundane in marriage takes on new meaning giving direction for decisions, stirs up passion and fuels our determination for it to become reality.
What is your vision for your marriage? Take the fist step and write out a rough draft. Once you have your draft let is simmer for a day then attempt to refine it. What could be and what should be in your marriage?
Here is an example: When I think of what my marriage can become I see my spouse and I talking, laughing, enjoying time together. I see my spouse and I relating to each other sexually in a way that fulfills both our desires, honoring one another, giving preference to one another. I see our marriage growing into something others want to model.
One more comment for this post. Link your vision to the eternal. Don't miss this. God said, "You are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared before the foundation of the world." God has a plan and purpose for you and your marriage. What vision has he put in your heart? Go for it!
