'...I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.' Acts 26:19 NKJV
Paul had a 'heavenly vision'. But there are those who '...speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord.' (Jeremiah 23:16 NKJV) So you must be sure you are operating according to God's plan, neither your own nor somebody else's. The story of the Tower of Babel teaches us two things.
First, that when people make up their mind to do something, they often succeed; and second, that succeeding doesn't mean that you're in the will of God. The word Babel (confusion) means others can think you're right, yet you're wrong. You ask, 'But isn't it all right to make plans and set goals?' Yes, but your plans and goals should come out of a vision that God has given you. When Paul said, 'I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision', he meant that there's only one acceptable response to God's plan, obedience! Partial obedience, selective obedience or delayed obedience are still all disobedience. William Carey, who is considered the father of modern missions, gave up comfort and fortune to go to India and introduce the Gospel. One of his more memorable quotes is: 'Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.' But you can only say that with confidence when you know what God has called you to do. What He ordains, He sustains! When you set your own goals you lack a heartfelt confidence that God is doing the work, so you wear yourself out thinking it's all up to you. However, when you know God has given you a vision for your life, you trust Him, even when you can't see any way to bring it to pass. So what vision has God given you to do for the church? When Paul said, 'I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision', he meant that there's only one acceptable response to God's plan, obedience! Partial obedience, selective obedience or delayed obedience is still disobedience. All you have to say is, God help me see the plan and be obedient!
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