All of us on occasion sit around dreaming about our future. A dream is a passive wish or subconscious thought that you experience. It is a feeling that occurs just below the level of your active conscious awareness. A vision, however, is an active, actionable, and intentional goal that you build. While dreams inspire, visions require a strategy to execute. Ultimately, your goal should be to turn your dreams into a vision.
To turn a dream into a vision, focus on establishing actionable goals and building a concrete path forward. There is a distinct and profound difference between dreams and visions. Dreams are images or impressions in the mind that generally occur while we sleep, but visions are an active encounter with reality.
Planning a personal vision involves identifying your core values, brainstorming an ideal object in the future, and translating those abstract ideas into tangible goals. You don’t need all the answers immediately; the process is a fluid, evolving practice that you build over time.
The process of planning your vision involves reflecting on what energizes you. What makes you get out of bed in the morning to pursue a specific purpose? When shaping your vision, write out your future in the present tense. This will involve describing your ideal life as though it has already happened. You should focus on how you want to feel and the kind of person you want to become, rather than getting bogged down by logistics.
The Bible teaches that visioning refers to both receiving divine revelation from God and seeking a clear, purposeful direction for life. Scripture also teaches that God reveals his plans to guide and encourage believers, emphasizing that we should align our personal goals with his overarching will.
In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon famously states that “where there is no vision, the people perish” meaning that without God’s direction, people tend to wander aimlessly. While believers are encouraged to plan, we are ultimately called to commit those plans to God. Similarly, the prophet Habakkuk advises us to “write the vision and make it plain.” Documenting what you sense God calling you to do helps maintain focus during difficult times.
While dreams are passive, subconscious experiences during sleep, visions are active, intentional goals and directives mapped out while you are awake. So, make planning your vision a priority to achieve your goals. Be Blessed and Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
Dr. Walter Ghosten
