Let There Be Light & Vision
July 21st, 2006 | Michael Pink
Let there be light: God said it - Light happened. We are still trying to figure out what it is and what it means to mankind. It causes photosynthesis, which in itself is a miracle of God. It makes life possible. Jesus said He was the light of the world. Why did God choose to start the creation process on day one with light? Why not the land and sea? Could He not see in the dark?
I don’t pretend to know the depths of God’s wisdom on that or any matter, but I do believe we can study this model of creation and glean life-changing truths that can be easily applied to business. To me, light enables vision and thus the first thing God built was the capacity for vision. Vision must therefore be important. I am not speaking of sight. Helen Keller said, “What a tragedy to have sight, but lack vision.”
Do you have a strategic vision for your life? For your business? Do you know what that looks like? I am not speaking of some snazzy poster you put up in the lobby of your business. I am speaking about a document that describes for you and then for your employees what the experience of being part of your company (or family) really means. It’s detailed, descriptive and moving. If it doesn’t move you, it won’t move anyone. If it doesn’t stimulate a reaction within you that makes you want to take action, then you still don’t have a clear vision.
Just like light causes a physical reaction in plants, so vision must inspire people to action. If it doesn’t, you probably have a trail of words leading nowhere important and no one will find their destiny following that!
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July 21st, 2006 at 10:11 pm
As to having a vision, one must first ask God, “Use me as your servant in order that I amy honor you”. How is it that many in sales its the numbers. Is their vision numbers of sales, or numbers of those we meet? Many times in sales, we tend to rely strictly on the numbers and not why we are selling. I offer a service that helps others when they are in need. I have been successful because, I place others needs in front of my own. I want to build trust and respect. The vision is knowing that I am able to serve my Lord and Savior in a manner that serves others and this is recognized and through this I am blessed. Seeing the Light, was leaving my santuary of business and walking in faith to what the Lord had in store for me. That is truly caring for others in their time of need. Materialism is our nature, but what about our spiritualistic needs, are they met. If one is selling just to sell, then you are worshiping the world. If you are wanting to sincerely help others, then you worship the true risen savior. Your vision will be lit when you ask God to open your eyes to what he you to do for Him, and then follow him. Yes it is difficult at times, but like the foot prints in the sand, He will carry us when we stumble and He will never leave us. Just ask Him to open your heart so you may see what he wants you to do for Him.
July 22nd, 2006 at 8:13 am
Hi John;
I agree that it is encumbant upon Christians to seek God as to His vision for our life rather than to create our own and ask Him to bless it. Having said that however, I believe that if we are called to sales as a vocation, that we need to do that job well.
Certainly the principal part of doing that well is serving the customers best interest and putting their needs first. Materialism within our nature as I understand that word, is not a good thing.
Nonetheless, another part of doing our job well is actually making sales. If we use the assumption that all sales we make are purposed to be in the customer’s best interest, then the more sales we make, the more people we have served and that is a good thing.
As a steward of my time and talent, it is also important to track numerically my progress for it is in part a scorecard of my performance. Tracking numbers of sales is not of course a bad thing and neither is having a sales goal that is tied to numbers.
We all have to guard against improper motivation, but if our motivation is what you described, then having a numbers oriented tracking system along with numbers oriented goals can be a very good thing. It’s not the process that is problematic… It’s the motivation of the heart that can be and this is our responsibility to guard.
July 22nd, 2006 at 4:08 pm
We definitely have to check ourselves periodically to make sure our motivations and desires are honoring the Lord. In my sales work, it’s important for me to know who I’m serving, whom the product is targeted to (I have to qualify our clients before proceeding to explain the benefits of the product…) and if it’s a good fit for the prospective client. Having a clear vision and allowing the Lord to guide me through His will helps a lot (keeps one in a better perspective knowing that you’re serving the Lord and others).
July 22nd, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Carline;
Keeping our heart right before the Lord will help us in any endeavor, including sales because, in part, people feel safe with us. They feel the love of Christ coming from us and when that is really in our heart, we won’t harm them. We won’t try to sell something that is not in their best interest. And they feel that and respond with trust, and if appropriate, with their business.
July 22nd, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Michael, please help us understand the difference between vision, calling and destiny. I believe I’m called to the marketplace and have a destiny in the Lord that is ultimately fullfilled in Him and by Him, as long as I remain obedient and in pursuit of Him. But how does vision in business relate to the marketplace calling and destiny. I think God’s “vision” for my life is like saying my calling and destiny. If God has a vision for me in sales then all I need to know is what His will is. What do you think?
July 22nd, 2006 at 5:12 pm
Michael J…
Great question…
I believe your calling is the work best suited to you, the work God wired you for, the work you love to do.
I believe your destiny is the sum total of what your life is supposed to accomplish, the grand fulfillment of your highest calling.
I believe Vision is the ability to see that, to know what it looks like when you get there. It is the picture engraved upon your heart and stamped upon your brain. It is the DNA for your destiny, written out so you can not only help keep yourself in line with it, but so that others, called to that great work, can run with you.
July 26th, 2006 at 9:24 am
Vision and not physical sight…especially since God didn’t create the physical light emitting sources of the stars until day 4. You could also include the aspect of moral visionalong with strategic vision.
July 26th, 2006 at 10:18 am
To me the words ‘Let there be light” mean… that it is a positive & I must be positive in all things, faith is a positive, therefore it is light. Light has all the good virtues…if you have light you can see with your eyes, but, if you also have faith, you can see with your soul.
In the day time you can see more of what’s around you so you can appreciate more of the beautiful wonders God has provided & your memory of the light & day will guide you through the night. When you share the light that is in you, with others, then others will also see the light in all ways, thereby spreading the light that God has promised all of us at the end of the dark tunnels…..
July 28th, 2006 at 11:32 am
I can’t help it — this is just a typo correction — At the end, you want to say “take a peek at this…” rather than “take a peak at this.”
July 31st, 2006 at 8:14 am
Aaron;
Good insight brother. Thanks for sharing!
July 31st, 2006 at 8:16 am
Blanche;
What you shared, helped me. Thank you!
July 31st, 2006 at 8:17 am
Hank;
You are right sir!
August 8th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
Michael J.: Do the answers above help? Would you like to talk about it more as it relates to you? Blessings