As a coach and speaker, I often share the story of how I decided when I was twelve years old to become a lawyer one day. Everything I did from that point on had to help me in achieving that goal. I took college prep classes in high school, chose my college major based on my desire to go to law school, and was accepted at the law school of my choice.
Upon entering law school, however, my joy was short-lived.
After taking my mid-term exams, I failed every one of them. I was devastated. I remember asking myself how such a thing could happen. Not only had I never failed a class or an exam in 16 years of attending school, but being a lawyer was my dream and the vision I had for my life.
About the time I was ready to drop out of law school, I had a long talk with my mother.
She said a lot of things that day, but one of the most important things she said to me was, “Do you think God brought you this far, to leave you now? He blessed you to get into law school and if you trust Him, He’ll help you stay there.” I took my mother’s wise counsel and the vision I had for my life did come true and I’ve enjoyed a wonderful legal career.
As I think back on that time, I’m reminded that when we face disappointments and setbacks in life, we’re all faced with a choice. Will we let the pain of the situation push us out of our destiny? Or, will our vision be strong enough to pull us forward out of the pain?
When you make choices out of a place of hurt and pain, they’re often not the best choices. Pain can push you into places you really do not want to go.
However, choices made with an eye towards the future and your vision will often be much better and will pull you forward to where God wants you to be.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 makes it clear that when your dream, goal, or vision doesn’t seem to be coming true, that’s not the time to give up. Everything happens in its appointed season. If God has given you a vision and it doesn’t seem to be coming to pass, do not give up. You may have to fast and pray, change directions, or ask for help. Do something, but do not quit.
Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. -Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV)
