Vision and Reality : Part II
Part II: “Our vision is about what we are going to do, but God’s vision is about what we are going to become…”
When Dustie’s husband, Andy, asked if he could search through our attic for something he intended to use to honor Dustie for her 50th birthday last week, I wondered what it would be? But when he came down with one of Dustie’s early creations–– furniture she designed for children–– I knew his message would be a word from Oswald Chambers:
“What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.” My Utmost for His Highest, July 28th
The little furniture set Andy found spoke volumes, as he recalled that “Character is living out a commitment once the emotion is gone.” Dustie was not a quitter even though financially she never prospered from her furniture, or from the many remodeling jobs she did. but the important thing was that during those times of hard work, there was something bigger growing in Dustie’s heart. She kept feeling like she was to find and old building in Asheboro, remake it into some kind of business. What kind of business changed constantly, but she never quit searching. For nine years a vision grew in her heart.
One day she found an old brick building that she knew was perfect for her dream. Broken windows, a collapsed roof, water soaked walls and floors — the building was far from perfect, but she bought it anyway, not exactly sure what she was going to use it for. But she was so pumped with excitement while always asking, “Daddy, what is God telling you about my building?” And I’d always answer the same way, “Nothing.”
This continued for a long time until finally, she’d had enough. “Daddy. God speaks to you all the time giving you words for people all over the world, yet you get nothing from God for me,” she blurted out in frustration.
That did it. I wondered myself why I could hear God for everyone but my own daughter. I went to God and before I could verbalize my prayer He answered. I wrote down His answer in my journal and headed straight next door to Dustie’s, and before I could even knock on her door, she met me.
“Daddy. I finally understand. This morning God told me why He’s not speaking to you about my plans. He wants me to hear Him for myself. Just like you’ve always told me,‘God wants to speak to me more than I even want to hear.’ Isn’t that true, Daddy?”
We both hugged each other for a long and wonderful time.
I smiled at the little ensemble of table and chairs, while tears of joy ran down my face. Andy found them to recall all of Dustie’s hard work while never giving up on her dream for a business in Asheboro were people could sit and fellowship around a table. Yes, her vision became a reality. But God’s vision was for much more. His vision was to free His daughter to come to His Table and sit and fellowship with Himself and hear the plans of His heart…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
