Vision and Relationships

One of the important lessons I've learned in ministry is that vision may well attract people, but relationships are what keep people loyal. For some of us, especially those of us who have prophetic tendencies, vision can be so very important. The Lord can give us a vision that is nothing less than divinely inspired. Before we know it, our whole lives are consumed with fulfilling this vision.

New, fresh vision excites people and attracts support, encouragement and helping hands. There will be a time when that vision isn't so new and fresh anymore. Even though it remains a divinely inspired vision, people will get tired of fulfilling the vision because the work is probably hard, much perseverance is required and sacrifice is a big part of it. Let's face it. That triple play gets old after a while.

For those of us who are leading, relationships with our co-laborers have to be just as important as the vision itself. After all, aren't we dealing with people? From the beginning, we must invest ourselves into relationships. If the relationship is stable and fruitful, people are less likely to walk away from the vision. If the vision is the top priority and the only priority, it's only a matter of time before you'll be by yourself.