We often receive visions from God that guide us toward our calling and assignment. These visions can be exciting and inspiring, but they can also come with risks.
It’s natural to feel apprehensive about stepping out into the unknown, but it is important to remember that every great vision comes with risks – and that’s okay. Embracing these risks is an important part of our faith journey and personal growth.
Here’s a perfect example of what I mean.
Renee, one of my favorite cousins, had always felt a calling deep within her heart. She had a vision to start a nonprofit organization that would empower underprivileged women through education and skills training.
This vision excited her, but it also scared her. The risks seemed overwhelming – financial uncertainty, fear of failure, and doubts about her own abilities. But Renee decided to trust in God’s guidance and step out in faith, determined to turn her vision into reality.
Seeking God’s Guidance Through Prayer
Renee began her journey with prayer, asking the Lord for guidance, direction, and wisdom. Every morning, she spent time in quiet meditation, asking God for clarity and wisdom.
Proverbs 3:5-6 became the verse she would memorize and recite on a daily basis: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prayer gave Renee a deep sense of peace and assurance that God was with her every step of the way.
Preparing and Intentionally Planning
My cousin knew that she needed to have faith to bring her vision to pass, but she realized that she also needed intentional planning, too. So, she researched all of the steps for starting a nonprofit, started attending workshops, and talked to others who had done what she wanted to do.
She remembered the words of Luke 14:28-30, which emphasized the importance of preparation. By creating a detailed business plan, identifying potential risks, and developing strategies to address them, Renee felt more confident in her ability to navigate the journey ahead.
Surrounding Herself with Supportive Community
Understanding the importance of community, Renee shared her vision with her church group and close friends. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 became another verse she relied on: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Her friends and mentors provided encouragement, prayed for her, and offered practical support. They helped her network, fundraise, and even volunteered their time and skills to get the nonprofit off the ground.
Taking Small, Consistent Steps Forward
Renee’s vision often felt overwhelming, but she reminded herself to focus on small, consistent steps to keep moving forward. She broke down her goals into manageable tasks and celebrated each milestone, no matter how small. Psalm 37:23 guided her: “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” Each step, whether it was securing funding, finding a location, or recruiting volunteers, brought her closer to realizing her vision.
Embracing Failure as a Learning Experience
All of these things falling into place doesn’t mean that Renee had smooth sailing throughout the process. She lives in the real world, and you know the real world is full of obstacles and detours.
There were times when funding fell through, plans had to be revised, and progress seemed painfully slow. However, she held onto Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Each setback became a learning experience, teaching her resilience, patience, and the importance of perseverance. Instead of giving up, she used these experiences to refine her strategies and strengthen the commitment she made to God, herself, and the women God called her to serve.
Renee’s Vision Coming to Pass
After months of hard work, prayer, and faith, Renee’s nonprofit officially opened its doors. The organization provided education and skills training to women who had faced huge hardships, giving them the tools they needed to build better lives for themselves and their families. The impact was immediate – lives were transformed, hope was restored, and a community of support and empowerment flourished and blossomed.
One of the things she shared with me was how she saw God’s hand in every part of her journey, guiding her, providing for her, and turning her vision into a reality that glorified Him.
Final Thoughts
Remember, God does not call us to a life without risks but instead one that is filled with faith and trust in Him. Jeremiah 29:11 promises, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
As you pursue your vision, hold on to God’s promises. Embrace the risks with the confidence that God is with you every step of the way. Your journey may not always be smooth, but it will be purposeful and deeply fulfilling.
Renee’s story is a testimony of how powerful it is to embrace risks and step out in faith to pursue a God-given vision. By asking God for guidance, preparing diligently, surrounding herself with a supportive community, taking small consistent steps, and seeing setbacks as a learning experience, she was able to fulfill her vision and make a significant impact.
Her journey reminds us that every vision has risks, but with faith and trust in God, those risks can be transformed into opportunities for growth, purpose, and divine fulfillment. Just like Renee, we can trust in God’s promises and step boldly into the future He has planned for us, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.
My purpose in sharing Renee’s story is to inspire you to embrace the risks in your own vision, trusting that God will guide you, provide for you, and use your journey to bring about His greater plan for your life.
