5 Action Steps to establish a vision from God

God gave Lulana a vision to change her village in Zimbabwe from a poor, sickly village with dirty water and poor general medical and hygiene knowledge to a village with self-reliant projects for the widows who are raising orphans. She prayed, and God answered her. God led us to start a mission project in her village.

Lulana is a widow in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa. She is learning to provide a better standard of living for herself and her children. The culture in Zimbabwe at one time was “inherited wife” the woman had to marry someone in her husband’s family when he died. Now widows can inherit the land, but it is not enforced. Many widows are evicted with their children and return to their family of origin. Some become sex workers.

This is not God’s will for their life. Because Luana prayed, God used us to start a widow’s self-reliant poultry farm in her village. The Three Strands Cord Project engages young and old widows with dependent children in life empowering self-reliant chicken breeding, raising, and selling programs to obtain funds for shelter, food, clothing, school fees, and school supplies for their children. Each widow also plants a garden to raise vegetables.

Lulana has a Godly role model, and she is a Godly role model as well. She passes on the knowledge she gets from her role model to younger widows. Lulana teaches other widows how to breed and care for the chickens, plant a garden, and general good sanitation and health practices.

Our Healing 4 All Nations Ministry projects are providing clean water, a Medical-Dental Clinic, Bibles, and a poultry farm so they can support themselves and their families. Many of our widows’ are in their 20s, 30s, and older.

In the Bible, Nehemiah also had a vision. His heart broke as he heard the news. His beloved city was in ruins. The town streets he’d run through as a boy were now desolate. His beautiful childhood home was torn down. But worse than that, the gates that surrounded his city—a sure sign of God’s protection and provision—had been destroyed by his enemies.

So strong was Nehemiah’s anguish that he broke down in tears upon discovering this news. The grief lingered in his spirit long after his tears were dry. He carried the sadness and despair with him, crying out to God in his pain.

But even as the sorrow haunted him, God gave Nehemiah a vision—an idea of seeing his city restored. It would begin with the restoration of the city walls. This was no easy feat, and the challenge would be overwhelming. Some would even say it was impossible.

Maybe you can see some commonalities in Lulana and Nehemiah’s vision. . God has given you a vision too. Perhaps it wasn’t an actual vision in the middle of the night. Maybe it’s just a fluttering in your heart. A whisper the Spirit speaks into the stillness. Your vision might be to foster a child, start a new business, homeschool your child, or write a book.

Whatever it is, you might be looking at the task and feel as if it’s impossible. You might doubt that you have the strength and courage to accomplish it. You may think that other people are meant to do great things for God and well, you’re just…you.

Oh, dear friend, don’t believe the lies of the enemy. If God has given you a vision, He can provide every resource you need to accomplish it. As Nehemiah’s and Lulana’s story proves repeatedly, no one can stand against the will of God. Here are five truths to carry with you as you start your own journey toward the vision God has given you…

Truth #1: Start with Prayer

Nehemiah didn’t immediately rush out and begin gathering tools, supplies, and men to help him with the wall. He didn’t make a list of daily to-dos. He didn’t create a timeline or try to get buy-in from other people who maybe couldn’t (or wouldn’t) see his vision.

No, Nehemiah had a radically different approach. He started by praying. His prayer is simple. First, calling out God as faithful (Nehemiah 1:5). When you start your prayers by acknowledging one of God’s attributes, it honors God and it also reminds you of your smallness. This humbles you and puts you in the right frame of mind.

Lulana prayed daily and asked God, “What is your will for my village?” What do you want to do through me?” “Bless me so I can be a blessing to the other widows and their children.

Zendaya along with her children assists the elderly widows where she lives. Zendaya has been a widow for ten years and has teenage children. Each morning her children feed the elderly widows’ chickens and make sure the widows are safe before the children go to school. Zendaya knows that she is teaching the children to help her and others in need. Even while they are young.

You are having a conversation with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You have entered the throne room of Ultimate Power. The One you are speaking to has no rival or equal throughout all of history. This is the One to whom you are speaking. Approach His throne with familiarity and love but also reverence and trembling.

During Nehemiah’s prayer, he confesses his sins and the sins of his country (Nehemiah 1:6-7). Prayer must always include an honest evaluation of where we are and what we’ve done.

Confessing isn’t for God’s benefit. He already knows every decision you’ve made. It’s for your benefit. Confession cleanses the soul and renews the mind. It causes you to embrace a Spirit of humility and gentleness.

The third thing that Nehemiah does during his prayer is he reminds God of His promises. God is not forgetful as humans are bound to be.

Lulana confessed the sins of her family and her village. She knew that poverty is a curse. It was her desire to remove the generational curse of poverty from her family and village.

In Isaiah 49, the city of Zion declares that the Lord has forgotten her. And this is His beautiful reply…

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion for the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49:15-16)

Although you may at times fear that God has forgotten you or forgotten His promises to you, let this truth take deep root in your heart today: you are written on God’s very palm.

You’ve heard the expression, “I know that like the back of my hand”? That is how God knows you. He knows you deeply and intimately. He has never once forgotten a promise He’s made and He’s not about to start now.

So why then do Nehemiah and Lulana take the time to recall His promise? Not for God’s benefit. But for their own. They are reminding their own heart of God’s faithfulness and so they further honor God in prayer.

Only after having acknowledged the Holiness and Worthiness of the King, confessing his sins, and reviewing God’s past promises does Nehemiah take a fourth and final step. He asks for God’s help.

Over two hundred words are used during Nehemiah’s prayer and only 15 of those are related to his actual request. The point is not about how long prayer is. God can hear an earnest prayer of 15 words as easily as he can one of 15,000 words.

The point is Nehemiah’s approach. He spent more time focusing on his relationship with God and showing Him deep reverence than he did making his request.

Lulana’s started her prayer by worshiping God. Then she asked to know His will for her village. She prayed and listened to God. God answered by sending help through our ministry.

It’s clear from their language that both were not only familiar and intimate with God, but also that they did not view God as a cosmic vending machine that would give him whatever they wanted if he merely added the right words.

Truth #2: Favor Comes from God

Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, which means he was the one to bring the king his wine. In all his years, Nehemiah had never shown up with anything less than a pleasant demeanor. But on this day, Nehemiah can no longer hide his despair over his homeland.

When the king learns of this, he asks Nehemiah what he wants (Nehemiah 2:4).

After saying a quick prayer, Nehemiah phrases his request in a short, eloquent way, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” (Nehemiah 2:5)

It’s easy to get so caught up in what’s happening around you that you believe you need the favor of others. Perhaps because you want a foster child, you need the favor of the social worker. Maybe because you want to start a business, you need the favor of a local investor. Perhaps because you want to homeschool your child, you need the favor of the school board. Maybe you’re writing a book and you need the favor of an agent or editor.

But no matter who seems to be the one “in power” in the situation, never forget that favor comes from the Lord.

Proverbs 21:1 beautifully illustrates this concept. “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.” (NLT)

No matter who you’re facing, you can stand with the confidence that you know the One who controls every heart.

Lulana knows that God Is her financial source. We were obedient to His leading us to her village. Only God gets the praise for her needs being met. We are just a channel that God used to supply the blessing. Every good and perfect gift comes from God. God controls our hearts.

He can soften the heart of a social worker who seemed against you in the beginning. He can cause your school board to look favorably on your family. He can send the right investor to your doorstep. He can guide you to the agent that He has handpicked for your book.

You serve the God who holds every heart in His hand and what’s more, this same God is for you.

In Romans 8:31-32, Paul boldly declares, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

You can rest in the knowledge that no matter who it seems the situation hinges on, God is actually the one in control. His hand is on the wheel, precious one.

Truth #3: Evaluate in Silence

There may come times when God has given you a vision and it’s not yet time to share it with many people. Perhaps God has called you to work in silence for a season while He positions the resources and tools you need. Maybe God is still moving you into the right place to accomplish His vision.

In Nehemiah 2:12, he explains, “I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem.”

Since God has given him this vision, Nehemiah doesn’t appear to have done much. After all, he said a prayer and looked at the work to come.

Lulana did not tell anyone about what she was praying for. She knew God would answer her in His way and His timing. Her commitment to prayer proved she had faith because she did not quit.

Maybe you’re one of those people that likes to jump in feet-first. You think you’ll figure it out along the way. You’re more than prepared to do great things for God. All He must do is hand you a list and step out of the way.

But one of the wisest things you can do before you begin a project or a new journey is to pause and evaluate. Often saying “yes” to something new means saying “no” to something else.

You might feel God prompting you to go back to school in the evenings, so what will you need to give up to make that happen? Will you have to cut back on your TV time or simplify your nightly routine? Do you need to talk with your spouse and kids and get them on board with helping more?

There are no right or wrong answers here. But it is important to count the cost long before you start. God may use you to be an answer to someone’s prayer.

Consider whether the vision you have is truly from God and if you deeply long for it. Do you want it enough to risk being uncomfortable as you’re stretched into a new place? Do you desire it so strongly that you’re willing to make changes to your current routine?

It might be helpful to talk these answers over with one trusted friend or your spouse. If you have no one or don’t feel led to share your vision just yet, consider journaling the answers instead. Prayer journaling is listening and noticing how God is leading you in answering your prayer. You meditate on God’s faithfulness and write down your deepest questions and longings. Document answered prayers.

Truth #4: God guides you to fulfill the vision

When God has given you a vision, you can trust Him to provide the way. This is what He did from the very beginning with Nehemiah. Not only did He grant him favor in front of the king, but He also provided for him as well.

The royal cupbearer asked for letters to provide him safe passage and the timber he would need (Nehemiah 2:7-8). The king of course granted these requests. But listen to how Nehemiah explains what happened…

“And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.” – Nehemiah 2:8

Note that Nehemiah didn’t say “because the king was gracious” or “because I asked so eloquently” or even “because my plan was flawless”. What Nehemiah does in this instance and throughout the book is point back to God’s favor and goodness.

Lulana praised and thanked God for answering her prayer. Her prayer was for herself and her village. It was not a selfish request. She wanted all widows and orphans to prosper.

Did you know that God delights in you? Do you believe it? When something good happens in your life, do you point back to it and say, “God blessed me with…”?

Maybe you have trouble with this concept. Perhaps you’ve never known what it’s like to be “delighted in”. Your father was abusive. Your mother rejected you. Your siblings mocked you. Your friends betrayed you. You feel used up and unwanted. You doubt that God could look at you and see anything worth “delighting in”.

Oh, but He does, dear one. He enjoys the sound of your laugh. He chose the freckles that would dust your shoulders. He picked the color of your hair and chose exactly where that one birthmark would be placed.

He knit you together (Psalm 139:13). God Himself chose every element of your DNA. You are His creation, and you delight Him. Not because of what you’ve done or haven’t done. Not because of what you’ve said or haven’t said.

You delight God simply because you are His unique creation. You are His child, and your very existence fills Him with joy. He rejoices over you. He sings over you every night (Zephaniah 3:17) and carries you in His arms each day (Deuteronomy 1:31, Psalm 68:19).

Like Nehemiah and Lulana, you can boldly proclaim that “the gracious hand of God is upon me”.

Truth #5: There Will Be Trouble

After his quiet evaluation, Nehemiah meets with the officials and the nobles to share his vision with them. This is the point where he needs buy-in. He needs other people to agree with him so the work can be done.

Everyone is quick to nod along. They believe in what he wants to do. They can see the vision God has given Nehemiah.

The next verse described exactly what happened at the meeting…

They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. – Nehemiah 2:18

Everything sounds great, right?

Yes, let’s restore the walls!

The project started with enthusiasm. Everyone is energized and excited. God is moving and people want to help.

Then, of course, the mocking and the ridicule start. Three men, in particular, are named— Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab. These three men would cause countless problems for Nehemiah.

You might think that just because God gave you a vision, everything should flow smoothly. While that does happen occasionally, the sad truth is that most of the time things don’t work that way.

You’ve no sooner picked up the hammer to start “restoring your wall” then trouble shows up. You decide to write the book of your heart only to suddenly have new caregiving responsibilities added to your days.

You decide to start the business that God has laid on your heart only to learn that your house has toxic mold, and you’ll need to live somewhere else during the renovations.

You decide to go back to school to get your degree and pursue that passion God has given you only to have the scholarships fall through at the last minute.

So, how do you handle these situations? Should you bite your nails and fret? Should you throw in the towel and give up now? Should you despair of ever seeing the vision God has given you come to life?

Well, you could do those things. But first, let’s look at how Nehemiah handled the trouble that showed up at his door.

When Sanballat and Co show up on the scene, they want to know if Nehemiah is rebelling against the king. It’s a serious accusation and the wrong answer could easily lead Nehemiah and those around him to their deaths.

Here was Nehemiah’s response to their accusations…

“The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.” (Nehemiah 2:20)

Nehemiah proclaims that God is the one who will give him success. He focuses on what he’s supposed to be doing (start rebuilding) and reminds his enemies that they have no claim in this place.